Waterbabies?

dreamscometrue* · March 2011

anyone have experience with Waterbabies? I'm trying to decide if it's worth the cost ($175) to take my 18 month old there vs. local park swim center, which is $35 for the same amount of sessions?

Thanks!

Mama_v2.0 · March 2011

If you have the time, do both. Then you can compare & decide.

We go, but I can't say I am a fan of Waterbabies. I know there are better programs out there (and worse too), I just can't find any in my area with openings for my kids.

2 musts= heated indoor pool, experienced & enthusiastic instructor.Preferred = smaller class sizes 4-6 children.

nykola · March 2011

We did waterbabies for 3 sessions -- took a break in the winter and will likely go back this spring. Honestly, it's probably the most expensive swimclass in all of King County. Probably unnecessarily so.

I have no prior experience with baby/kid swim classes nor have I experienced the quality at local swim centers so I have no idea if it's the same value. I wills say that I thought Waterbabies was awesome and was very impressed by the steps they take you and your child through. At 16 months, Z swims underwater, holds his breath for 5 seconds, and is completely comfortable. If there's another swim program that can get the same type of results as waterbabies for less money, I say go for it!!

My one negative comment would be that once I learned the techniques they use, I found many of the classes to be useless. I mean, I could go to an open swim with Z and just practice everything with him on a regular basis for far less $$. In fact, I used to joke with DH that I was going to just start coming purely to observe WB classes and then go implement the techniques on the cheap at our local pool.

We love WB though. Vera the owner/director is pure genius when it comes to teaching kids how to swim. I've never seen anyone do it quite like her. Get in her class if you can!!

gina000 · March 2011

I have not been to Waterbabies so I can't comment on the classes. I have been to our local YMCA swim class. YMCA class at 14 months DS can hold onto the wall for 5 seconds, go underwater and is comfortable, kick his feet and is learning to paddle his arms. YMCA classes have a lot of singing and making it really fun. I love to see the smiles from DS during class, he loves it and the water.

kar5162 · March 2011

We do Waterbabies for DS and he loves it. I haven't tried the Y classes, but we did try one session at the Seattle Public Pools, figuring I had a good idea of the Waterbabies techniques so at least it'd be cheaper open swim and it was awful. The pools are much colder, the age range is much much greater (6mo - 4 years) and there were SO many people in the class - up to 30 vs 7. DS was miserable with all of the commotion and we ended up missing over 1/2 of the sessions just because who wants to take a miserable kid swimming. We went back to Waterbabies and he was ok again by the end of the first session.

I would say that at 18 months, unless your kid runs really hot, warmer water is good and a small group size and age range is key. If you can get that at a community pool, it's worth trying, otherwise, Waterbabies is a great option.

Seattle_JiLLn · March 2011

We loved it, but I do agree that it's expensive. One thing that I loved about it vs. other places is that the pool is WARM. Other pools even if they seem warm seem too cold for babies - or at least for Ben and my sisters DD. And I like that at WB they have changing tables on the pool deck and in the locker room, and a pack n play in both places too.

My only regret is that Ben started HATING it at around 2 1/2 and so now even though we paid for WB for 2 years, he doesn't know how to swim and we haven't had lessons for nearly 2 years... sigh.

StellaZ · March 2011

I might sign up for something this summer - but for fun last Sunday we went to the MLT Rec Pavilion drop-in toddler class (11:25-11:55 @ $7) and LOVED it. Nice indoor heated pool, reserved section and I'm sure you could tack on free swim time after if you wanted, although :30 was totally our limit. Nap was immediate and looong.

I can't commit to a whole series since it's not very close to us - but since our nearby pool is outdoor - we will definitely be back for this in the meantime. Also the open toddler gym the hour beforehand (10-11) in the same building for $3 was awesome too = a great $10 morning!

(first swim class photo below - taken quickly on phone in locker room - LOL)

doublem · March 2011

StellaZ:
I might sign up for something this summer - but for fun last Sunday we went to the MLT Rec Pavilion drop-in toddler class (11:25-11:55 @ $7) and LOVED it. Nice indoor heated pool, reserved section and I'm sure you could tack on free swim time after if you wanted, although :30 was totally our limit. Nap was immediate and looong.
I can't commit to a whole series since it's not very close to us - but since our nearby pool is outdoor - we will definitely be back for this in the meantime. Also the open toddler gym the hour beforehand (10-11) in the same building for $3 was awesome too = a great $10 morning!
(first swim class photo below - taken quickly on phone in locker room - LOL)

Sorry, no comment about classes, but he is SO cute!!!

Kathzoo · March 2011

We did classes at our local rec center. It was cheap and DD loved it. It was taught by a very enthusiastic high school student, had about 10 kids, and was exactly the same every week. Same exact rhymes and songs in the same order. All DD wanted to do was swim. I learned a trick or two to help her, but it was more about playing in the water than swimming. I haven't been to a lesson there, but the Mountlake Terrace Pool is awesome.

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