What to Ask When Selecting a Baby Friendly Swim Program

Guest Post by Kaitlin of An Apple Per Day

What to Ask When Selecting a Baby Friendly Swim Program

The priorities for moms when it comes to selecting a baby-friendly swim program for their infants or toddlers will vary, of course, but there are a few things that should be part of any parent’s initial query of a swim instruction facility. If you have a concern or question that isn’t included here, follow your instincts and ask it! For more information on swim instruction for babies, toddlers and kids, here are a few other great links:

● Study Finds Benefits in Teaching Babies to Swim

● Swim Lesson Plans

● Infant and Toddler Swimming Programs: Are They Safe and Effective?

When my baby was 9 months old, I stopped breastfeeding and decided that it was a great time to try another form of bonding: “Mommy & Me” water classes at a local privately owned indoor pool facility. I purposely dropped by in person, and the first thing I saw that I liked was a dedicated reception staff. It wasn’t just swimming instructors taking turns at the front desk when they weren’t teaching; two people in street clothes who were clearly office staff greeted me at the door. I felt good about this situation: It was organized, well-staffed, and friendly.

I toured the facility, including the locker room (with a dedicated, semi-private diaper changing area, complete with “emergency” supplies in the event that busy moms were caught unprepared…which I appreciated). Here’s what I asked the receptionist:

1. Does the facility accept the use of reusable cloth swim diapers?

2. Is the pool open to the public for “free swim” during swim lesson/class time?

3. Are the instructors CPR certified, and what are their swim instruction credentials?

As a mom who was committed to using cloth diapers 100% of the time, I was actually expecting the same answer to my first question that I had received at a public pool I had visited recently:

Swim diapers must be disposable and designed for water use. So I was pleasantly surprised when I was told that this facility did not require disposable swim diapers, which would have been a deal-killer for me. Cloth diapers were absolutely fine, but babies were required to also wear a waterproof swim diaper, re-usable “diaper cover” with elastic at the legs and waist. I was thrilled!

After being satisfied with what I saw, heard and felt, I signed up for a Mommy & Me class, knowing that if that went well (it was six weeks), I’d consider signing up for the baby survival class that taught babies as young as six months old how to maneuver in the water to a floating position. On the first day of class, I had a list of questions ready (below), but interestingly enough, they were all answered during the instructor’s initial chat with the six moms (and their babies) before we even entered the pool. Here they are:

1. How long have you been instructing babies?

2. Do you have children?

3. Will I be holding my baby at all times?

4. Will I be asked to dunk my baby’s head under water?

5. What do I do if my baby seems to hate the water and won’t stop crying?

I was most nervous about putting my baby’s head under water, and the instructor assured me that they would lead up to that and it wouldn’t happen until the second-to-last class, and only for the babies who were comfortable and enjoying the water experience. Another thing I liked: At no time would our babies be in the water without us.

Don’t forget: When you’re looking for a swim class for your baby, the old adage applies, especially when it comes to the safety of our children: There are no stupid questions!

Kaitlin Gardner started An Apple Per Day to explore her passion for a green living lifestyle, and healthy family living. She and her husband have just moved to rural Pennsylvania, where they enjoy exploring the countryside and discovering interesting and out of the way places. She is also learning how to paint with watercolors.