GTKY (LO edition): Swim Lessons

BC&LM

Since the board is dead and my LO starts swim lessons tomorrow, I thought I would ask some GTKY LO questions for those of you who started lessons already. I'll come back and answer tomorrow too if I remember!

1) Where are you doing lessons? (YMCA, local swim club, etc.)

2) Are you doing private or group lessons? How long are they?

3) What's your LO's favorite part? Least favorite part?

4) What does your LO's swimsuit look like, and where did you buy it? (ETA: And are you doing disposable or reusable swim diapers?)

5) Any tips for people who haven't done their first lesson yet?

6) Other random thoughts about it?

Mufflerlove

1) Where are you doing lessons? (YMCA, local swim club, etc.)

Local swim club

2) Are you doing private or group lessons? How long are they?

Group and it lasts half an hour

3) What's your LO's favorite part? Least favorite part?

She loves chasing the balls around and splashing. She doesn't like laying on her back in the water.

4) What does your LO's swimsuit look like, and where did you buy it?

I have a bunch from target. One pieces and they are all one shoulder with a little second strap.

5) Any tips for people who haven't done their first lesson yet?

Bring lots of towels

jlml2008

1) A privately owned swim school. They have amazing indoor locations

2) Semi Private. There are 1-2 other babies in his class

3) He loves it all!!

4) He wears a reusable swim diaper and it has a Hawaiian print on it. The swim school sells them so we bought it there 

5) Enjoy it!! It's so much fun

6) Totally worth the cost. LO is such a little fish and is already kicking and swimming like crazy

needanustart

1.) YMCA
2.) group lessons
3.) today was first class. He seemed to like it!
4.) reusable Bummis diaper, trunks. No shirt.
5.) DH did his class and I was the parent on the sidelines for his big brother in the class before. It was really helpful to have one dry parent for the assist! Bring extra towels and have a waterproof changing pad to lie on a towel. It's hard to find a dry spot to change them without them getting more soaked.
6.) worth it and best to start early like this. Lo was remarkably better than G when he started, I think because G was older (18 months). It's really helpful to get them used to water before they develop fears.

Western Diva

1) Swimming/gym complex

2) Group lessons - 30 min

3) Favorite part - splashing. Least favorite part - dunking!

4) Swimsuit - full body with short sleeves and shorts type. Bought new second hand for $3. . (ETA: reusable cloth swim diapers)

5) Tips? Get them used to dunking early and practice blowing bubbles in the bath.

6) Have fun and be positive!

40Luv

Private swimming school.

30 minutes of group time.

Favorite would be playing blast off. We push off the wall and go shooting backwards. She dislikes getting out.

She has a few suits. Ralph Lauren, NafNaf, and Baby Gap. They are all one pieces. My favorite is the one from Baby Gap. It is teal and has ice cream cones on them. Very cute! We use a reusable swim diaper.

I would suggest going in with a stroller. Where we have "lessons" the dressing room doesn't have a real place for baby once I'm getting dressed. I also have a wet/dry bag I purchased for the wet clothes. It wicks away the water from the suits and goggles.

https://www.potterybarnkids.com/m/search/results.html?words=wet/dry bags&type-ahead-viewset=ecom

megandchase

1) Where are you doing lessons? (YMCA, local swim club, etc.)
YMCA
2) Are you doing private or group lessons? How long are they?
Group- 30mins
3) What's your LO's favorite part? Least favorite part?
The toys/balls he like the grabbing part but will not let anyone throw them for him!
4) What does your LO's swimsuit look like, and where did you buy it? (ETA: And are you doing disposable or reusable swim diapers?)
Carter's swim trunk with a sposie underneath. We will spend a lot of time at the pool and beach this summer so once the box of disposables runs out ill buy a reusable swim diaper
5) Any tips for people who haven't done their first lesson yet?
Extra towels and something for LO to do while you get dressed. Hudson sits on a towels with some puffs while I get dressed.
6) Other random thoughts about it?
It's super fun and adorable!!!

BC&LM

1) Where are you doing lessons? (YMCA, local swim club, etc.)

Local swim club

2) Are you doing private or group lessons? How long are they?

Private lessons. I thought they originally told me that they are supposed to be 15 minutes each, but the instructor thought we were supposed to get 30 minutes and gave us that today. They are supposed to call and clarify for next week.

3) What's your LO's favorite part? Least favorite part?

He liked pretty much every thing, especially whenever we stood still for a few seconds and he got to splash around with his hands. He hated going under the water to try to blow bubbles.

4) What does your LO's swimsuit look like, and where did you buy it? (ETA: And are you doing disposable or reusable swim diapers?)

We got it at Children's Place. It's white, blue, and lime green with octopuses (octopi?) on it. We want to do reusable swim diapers, but he is right at the end of the weight range for his size but not quite in the next range yet. As a result, we are starting with disposables and will move to reusables when he finishes the pack of disposables.

5) Any tips for people who haven't done their first lesson yet?

If you have a boy, a swim shirt is a good idea to help him keep warm in the pool. Originally, I was unsure whether I should get one, but I am glad I did because the pool was a bit cooler today than it usually is.

6) Other random thoughts about it?

Visit a couple of places and view the facilities to make sure you really like them and that they have a good place to change the baby. The family changing room at our swim club is awesome! Also, local swim clubs are often cheaper than the Y, so don't forget to consider those too.

RIngReady

Where are you doing lessons? (YMCA, local swim club, etc.) Local Pool through Parks and Rec

2) Are you doing private or group lessons? How long are they?  We are doing group lessons,  2 times a week for 25 minutes, plus 5 minutes of private time with the teacher each day

3) What's your LO's favorite part? Least favorite part? LO loves to 'chase' after the water toys. He hates getting out of the pool and changed

4) What does your LO's swimsuit look like, and where did you buy it? (ETA: And are you doing disposable or reusable swim diapers?) We use a re-usable swim diaper and we got a Finding Nemo Swimsuit from BRU

5) Any tips for people who haven't done their first lesson yet? Use tons of lotion after LO showers off the chlorine. LO had a horrid case of eczema because the chlorine can be so drying. 

6) Other random thoughts about it?  

Our swim class is at 6:30 at night, and after 30 minutes of swimming and by the time we get home, LO is OUT! He sleeps so well on swimming nights