Regular readers will know that earlier in the year we were chosen by Konfidence to be Official Swimologists. I had wanted to take Baby swimming ever since she was born, but my own personal body image hang ups, had prevented me from taking the plunge! When we were given the opportunity by Konfidence, it gave me the necessary push to put my own insecurities to the side and say a big yes! I didn’t want to go to a local pool, as bumping into people I know while donning a swimming costume wasn’t high on my wish list. So, Konfidence booked Baby onto a Baby swimming course with Aquababies West, which runs from Marlborough Leisure Centre.
Aquababies West offer Baby and Toddler Swimming courses at various pools in Wiltshire, Bath, Bristol, Swindon and the West Country. All the instructors are qualified lifeguards and parents of young children. Aquababies West was set up by husband and wife Eddie and Lora (and their young son Zach, who was the inspiration).
Baby has been swimming with Aquababies West for just over four months. At the first lesson I thought that there was no way she would take to swimming, as she screamed and screamed. I was concerned for her and for the other parent’s ears! However, our instructor Kate kept reassuring me that everyone had been there, which did help. No-one likes to feel like they are ruining someone else’s experience. The group were also really friendly and supportive, which is just what I needed as a worried mum! Baby exhausted herself after the first lesson and I can’t say I was particularly looking forward to the following week, but glutton’s for punishment, we continued.
Each week Baby improved and by the fourth lesson, she was the same as the other children, even going underwater. By week seven Baby jumped in from standing on a float! I am not sure I have ever been as proud in my entire life. Kate has been our instructor throughout all our lessons, which I think has helped both Baby’s and my confidence. I trust Kate 100%, which is pretty important in this situation, Baby loves her too and often requests additional high fives, which Kate always obliges with! After the initial course Baby moved up to the Advanced Toddler group, which showed how much she had progressed.
Currently, Kate is encouraging the children to swim more independently, just short distances of swimming either to the wall or to mummy, which Baby is happy to do. I can’t wait to see how Baby progresses in the next course she is enrolled on.
I cannot recommend Aquababies West highly enough and am so grateful to them and Konfidence for sponsoring Baby’s swimming journey.
Disclosure: Aquababies West kindly gave us a five week swimming course. All opinions are my own and are 100% honest.
Comments 20
My two LOVE swimming and go at least once a week and they’re 9 and 12. They just never seem to get bored of it x x
This sounds fantastic fun – such a worthwhile thing to do. Bet Baby will love swimming forever!
I am always fascinated by babies swimming, it is amazing to watch x
What great fun, both my two loved the water very early on and still do x
I wish I’d been able to take mine to a course like this when they were small!
swimming is such good fun with babies, great bonding too. x
this sounds like a great course! my girls love swimming, it’s so important for them to be confident in the water
My daughter has swimming lessons but because I circulation problems I can’t stand still in water to go swimming with my son. I know he would love it though.
Baby looks like she really enjoys swimming – it truly is a life skill that you have given her!
Looks like she is a real water baby, such a cutie
Author
Thanks hun x
These sound like great sessions.
She looks so happy in the water. It’s great that you’re giving her such a positive experience of swimming and pools – it’s such a crucial skill.
It is such an important life-skill, and so much fun too!
My sister has taken her both younger children to baby swimming. Sadly there was not that possibility for us when my son was a baby.
I’ve been seeing pics like this online for years and always wonder how they are done. Does the baby really swim under water then? It’s far too long since Aaron and I have been swimming we need to sort that x
Author
Yes, when they are really young they have no gag reflex and so can swim under water fine. x
Swimming is so important, Baby is doing really well!
Aww thtis is fab! Well done you and Baby! When they don’t like something initially, it’s easy to not want to put them through it again, but good on you for persevering, swimming is such an important life skill x
I’m so pleased this course has been good for you both 🙂