Mommy and me swim classes - worth it?

skibunny59 · June 2013

Hi Ladies,

DD is 15 months and I was thinking of doing mommy and me swim classes for the summer since I'm off. (I'm a teacher.) I called the local swim school and they do an 8 week session which meets twice a week for a half hour. So 16 classes really and it's $225. It's a little more than I want to pay especially since I'm not working and making money in the summer. For those of you who did swimming with your babies did you feel it was worth the money or a waste. What kind of stuff did you do in the class?

JulieLA · June 2013

It's a waste of money. The one I took you just hold baby in water and sing songs. There is no lesson. It's just fun water time that you can do for free outside of class.

AllMyDucksInARow · June 2013

We are doing one now and love it! It has definitely taught some survival skills and DS is doing fabulously. Plus, it's a lot of fun!

Jmcmahon21 · June 2013

Do you have a YMCA close by? they're a lot cheaper. We did it through ours it basically just taught me stuff to do with him more but not much more than that. I guess it kind of socialized him with other babies/toddlers and he wore a life vest for the first time but I don't think we really got anything out of it. I think if you just went swimming with them one on one and tried to help them do kicks/back float it might be just as good. Once they're old enough you can do real swim lessons with an instructor which I plan to do so he can swim on his own.

aeh72 · June 2013

$225 seems really high for a swim class for an infant. Do you have a county rec program? We did a 4 weeks session with DS (when he was 13-14 months) for $34 and I'm glad we didn't spend more. First class, he cried and clung to me the whole time. Each class got gradually better and by class 4, he let me put his head under water, but I wouldn't say in general he loved the experience of being in the pool. But, that's probably just my kid. Lots of the other kids in class were having a ball. For us, I'm glad we did it because it exposed him to the water and the pool but I'm glad it was a nominal cost. Otherwise, it would not have been worth it, based on our experience.

Oh, and during class he practiced (as much as a 14 month old can) kicking, moving his arms, floating on his back and getting ready to put his face in the water. Lots of of songs and playing with little ducks and balls. At this age it's just to familiarize them with the water and maybe plants the seeds of how to swim. When DS is over 2, I'll probably sign him up for the next level class. Between now and then, we'll just go the pool ourselves.

Sparks in training! · June 2013

that is a LOT! I use to teach that class when i was a teenager LOL. All you really do is bounce the babies and sing cute sing a long songs that involve getting face wet and splashing. Its fun cause the babies have fun with it and you are around other babies. But not for that type of money.

Netty_3 · June 2013

Can you find one at a rec center or Y? I did ours through the rec center and paid $40. (The ones at my gym were around what you're talking about.) (I live in the Denver metro area FWIW for price comparison)

I liked them, but then I'm clueless about how to get a little one water ready, along with water safety. We've done them a few times now. It's a little social for us too with the other kids and parents, so that's nice. LO loves swimming, so it was nice to do during the winter as well. It's really important to me that LO learn to swim at an early age.

I know there are classes you can have your baby/toddler take for self rescue in water. https://www.infantswim.com/ I am looking into that as well.

Cherryblossoms07 · June 2013

I paid 40 for 16 lessons. We loved it! I dont think it is worth 200 or the 160 it is here, we just moved, so DS will not be doing mommy and me. She learned to be accustomed to water through songs and play, blow bubbles, to be comfortable floating on her back, to wait for the signal before jumping in, to return to the wall if she ever fell in.

skibunny59 · June 2013

Sparks in training!:
that is a LOT! I use to teach that class when i was a teenager LOL. All you really do is bounce the babies and sing cute sing a long songs that involve getting face wet and splashing. Its fun cause the babies have fun with it and you are around other babies. But not for that type of money.

It does seem like a lot of money doesn't it. It is a small family run swim school and I do know that the owner of the school teaches the classes herself. Maybe I can call her today and ask her what exactly the kids learn so that I can determine if it's worth it.

I myself am not a good swimmer. I can doggy paddle and stay afloat. I DO NOT like having my head underwater and I still hold my nose when I go under so it's important for DD to have swim lessons. But I need to see if mommy and me is super important or if I should just hold out until she's older to do "real" swim lessons.

harmonicbabe26 · June 2013

We did one of those at our gym when K was about 12 months and she loved it. I don't think she learned much from it but seeing other babies in the pool kicking and playing was enough. You can't expect them to become Olympians at this age. I don't regret doing it but I do think that older kids (2+) probably learn more in those lessons. That being said it is never to early to start exposing LOs to water. But I don't think I would have paid over $200 for that... Check your local Y. They usually offer classes and at a reasonable price. Our Y has a 8 weeks session for $100 I think.

Leap08 · June 2013

My daughter adores her swim class. Our swim school is incredibly safety oriented. They focus on things like how to turn around in the water and grab on to the side of the pool, how to safely enter and exit the pool, and how to flip onto your back to float. They also are really working on making kids comfortable in the water. These are realistic skills for young children to learn and could actually save their lives. We do sing songs while we do activities in the water. I think that just makes it more fun and interesting for the kids.

I do think the price you quoted seems a bit high. I'd check around with other places and I'd also check to see what they do in their class.

kcisthebombdotcom · June 2013

Definitely was worth it but ditto other posters to find a cheaper alternate. I don't think there was necessarily anything I couldn't have done on my own but I think other kids were motivating to her. She learned to feel comfortable going underwater, floating, kicking, safety rules, threading water, etc. it was difficult at first but she grew to love it.

jdunack · June 2013

i think that's way too expensive for lessons -- check out the Y or some other community type program.

i think it is important to start them getting used to the water at a young age, and i've found that it gives a little more confidence if mom/dad is in the water with them in the beginning.

salt78 · June 2013

We just finished a swim session and I would do it again in a heartbeat. DD is totally different around water now than she was at the beginning of the session. Plus it gave me some great ideas of things that I can continue to do with her this summer when we go to the pool. We will start her back in another session this fall.

That said, ours was only 6 classes and $89. (Every Saturday for a half hour, but we did free swim before and after too.)

skibunny59 · June 2013

Leap08:
My daughter adores her swim class. Our swim school is incredibly safety oriented. They focus on things like how to turn around in the water and grab on to the side of the pool, how to safely enter and exit the pool, and how to flip onto your back to float. They also are really working on making kids comfortable in the water. These are realistic skills for young children to learn and could actually save their lives. We do sing songs while we do activities in the water. I think that just makes it more fun and interesting for the kids.
I do think the price you quoted seems a bit high. I'd check around with other places and I'd also check to see what they do in their class.

I called the school back and asked them what exactly they teach them in the class. They mentioned most of these things and they also said their goal is to have them be able to swim without holding on to mom or dad or a person but with floatation.

She also said I need to get DD a belt (I guess one of those little belts that have the bubble type things on them) and a kickboard for lessons. The way she explained it to me over the phone it seemed like they were actually teaching them something and it wasn't just "sing little songs and get them used to the water."

I also called the YMCA and they were actually more expensive. $160 for 9 classes (one class a week for 9 weeks) as opposed to $225 for 16 classes (2 classes per week for 8 weeks.) AND you have to be a member at the Y so I would have to pay $50 for a membership.

Where does everyone else live? I am in NJ where everything is expensive. I am not finding the $40 classes here. Boo. :-(

kalette · June 2013

We did one at the YMCA between 13-14 months old. It was $50 for 8 classes, less if your a member I guess, but we're not. We both loved it! The first week we just tried to get her used to the water, which was a breeze because she loves water and has never been scared of it. She learned how to blow bubbles, kick and "float" with my help on both front and back, then the last few lessons we learned how to climb out of the pool and jump back in. She LOVED climbing out and getting back in. We also got to try out a few different kinds of life jackets while we were there so I knew what I wanted when we bought one for this summer. IMO it was totally worth the money. I will do them again.

LatteLady5 · June 2013

With a 15 month old I wouldn't pay for it. It is just starting to get warm here and I plan to start taking DD to the pool more frequently. I think exposing her to the water and splashing around will be a lot of fun. Besides, I mean you aren't really going to be teaching a 15 moth old any sort of real skills anyway. Practice putting her face in the water, splashing and bouncing around...Even if you're shy in the water you could do this at a local public pool for a few bucks a trip. I just wouldn't be willing to pay that much for swim classes this early.

GromMom · June 2013

I used to be a swim instructor about 18 years ago. I would stay away from any lessons that include artificial flotation as that hinders the learning process. That being said I'd never pay that much for baby lessons unless it included some sort of CPR certification for myself, or if there was no other pool that I could get to to learn in. I have a life guard friend who also said the beginner classes are easy to diy.

kristennd · June 2013

We loved the classes at the Y, and they helped DH build confidence for the public pools this summer (he's a SAHD), but they were only $90 here.

bluejetta · June 2013

DD (21 months) and I are taking parent/child swim starting in July. We chose the Y based on proximity and it is $126 (nonmember cost) for 8 wks. We may join as members if we like it. Even if it is just songs it will be worth it to me for her exposure to water in a group setting. I don't expect she'll learn to swim per se. My parents (whom we see weekly) have a pool so I hope to get her extra swim time there but want her to have this more formal exposure first. I have no idea if she'll love or hate it.

chardonnay24 · June 2013

Wow, classes around here are about $50 for 10 lessons. We ultimately chose not to do them since my son was already very comfortable in the water. We would go to preschool open swim and work on swim skills on our own. We're starting "real" swim lessons (at 2.5) in late July, and we're paying $47 for 8 lessons.

prism207 · June 2013

That price is about right for what you describe-where they actually are attempting to teach the babies to swim. The county might have a simpler baby water adjustment class for much cheaper. Are there any county pools near you? The county rec programs are usually the least expensive choices.

I personally would not pay for a "real" swimming class until at least two. I have seen the videos and I just don't think it is for me.

luvmyducks · June 2013

Whoa, that's a lot. Our YMCA does 4wk sessions, 2x per week for like 25 bucks. I've been taking DD since she was 6m and she's 21m now. We love them and she's really comfortable with the water. I think they are worth it, but not for that price.

luvmyducks · June 2013

skibunny59:
Sparks in training!:
that is a LOT! I use to teach that class when i was a teenager LOL. All you really do is bounce the babies and sing cute sing a long songs that involve getting face wet and splashing. Its fun cause the babies have fun with it and you are around other babies. But not for that type of money.
It does seem like a lot of money doesn't it.  It is a small family run swim school and I do know that the owner of the school teaches the classes herself.  Maybe I can call her today and ask her what exactly the kids learn so that I can determine if it's worth it.
I myself am not a good swimmer. I can doggy paddle and stay afloat. I DO NOT like having my head underwater and I still hold my nose when I go under so it's important for DD to have swim lessons. But I need to see if mommy and me is super important or if I should just hold out until she's older to do "real" swim lessons.

Real swim lessons are more expensive since it is usually one instructor with a lot of kids.

kcisthebombdotcom · June 2013

skibunny59:
Leap08:
My daughter adores her swim class. Our swim school is incredibly safety oriented. They focus on things like how to turn around in the water and grab on to the side of the pool, how to safely enter and exit the pool, and how to flip onto your back to float. They also are really working on making kids comfortable in the water. These are realistic skills for young children to learn and could actually save their lives. We do sing songs while we do activities in the water. I think that just makes it more fun and interesting for the kids.
I do think the price you quoted seems a bit high. I'd check around with other places and I'd also check to see what they do in their class.
I called the school back and asked them what exactly they teach them in the class. They mentioned most of these things and they also said their goal is to have them be able to swim without holding on to mom or dad or a person but with floatation.
She also said I need to get DD a belt (I guess one of those little belts that have the bubble type things on them) and a kickboard for lessons. The way she explained it to me over the phone it seemed like they were actually teaching them something and it wasn't just "sing little songs and get them used to the water."
I also called the YMCA and they were actually more expensive. $160 for 9 classes (one class a week for 9 weeks) as opposed to $225 for 16 classes (2 classes per week for 8 weeks.) AND you have to be a member at the Y so I would have to pay $50 for a membership.
Where does everyone else live? I am in NJ where everything is expensive. I am not finding the $40 classes here. Boo. :-(

do you live near a healthtrax? They have less expensive swim classes here and you don't have to be a member. I would look up gyms with pools.

SunAndRain · June 2013

I've been taking DD to weekly swim classes since she was 10 weeks old. She is now 11 months. Classes are $70/mo which is a lot. But she loves it, I love our focused time together, she IS learning skills (she can climb out of the pool with less and less assistance, she can hold on to the edge of the pool unassisted, can do a seated dive, etc. Totally worth it, IMO.

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