Infant swimming lessons this summer

[roguedelux]

I will have a newborn this summer and really can’t wait to start swimming with baby. Who can tell me if there are: 1) infant (0-6 mo.) lessons in West Seattle, or 2) pools who are ok with newborns being in the water.

Also, any parents who know of the best waterproof (size 0-6) diapers for swimming?

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[swimcat]

I got my daughter in the water at 7 weeks. The city pools won’t have a problem with you bringing an infant under 6 months (babies under 1 are free too!), though I find the Seattle City pools are a bit cold but my daughter tolerates it. If you go to SW, a dip in the hot tub after being the pool would be a good idea to warm up.

For the first few swim outtings, I headed over to Bellevue’s lone city pool; there are two at their facility and one is a warm water therapy pool (kept at about 95 degrees). I like warmer water so I figured the kiddo would too! Bellevue charges for infants though, which I think is bull, but oh well. My baby didn’t cry and I was comfortable so it was worth the drive and expense IMO for about the first 6 or 7 swim outtings. Now we usually go to Medgar Evers since their family swim/lesson times are more convenient.

For diapers, I bought a reusable swim diaper. They are about $10; I bought one at Birth and Beyond. I use cloth diapers so I am not familiar with disposable swim diapers but I’m sure they are for sale at Target or drug stores.

It’s great you are planning ahead to get your baby in the water! Babies don’t do much the first few months in the pool, but they do get acclimated and comfortable in the water. At about 5 or 6 months they start kicking and splashing.

I don’t know of any special lessons for 0-6 months; the 6mo-3 year lessons offered by the city of seattle left much to be desired. It was basically a roped off family swim time with no instruction provided. I have an extensive swim background so I knew what to work on- if you have questions, just let me know and I can give you some ideas!

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[rockergirl]

Not in West Seattle – Pop Mounger pool in Magnolia has a Little Pool which is great for babies and toddlers – it is a warm water (94 degrees). Check out http://www.seattle.gov/parks/Aquatics/mounger.htm

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[celeste17]

I would check out Coleman Pool for lesson times.

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[Irukandji]

Bathtub!

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[swimcat]

The bathtub is an excellent idea too- it really is all the room they need under 3 months.

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[roguedelux]

thanks for all the great recommendations! Of course I will be doing the bath tub as soon as the cord drops – just looking for other options that will get us out and about!

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[WSB]

Nobody’s mentioned Southwest Pool but we are big fans. Not sure if they do baby lessons but you can check – the brochure and also SPARC listings are linked from the pool’s main page

http://www.seattle.gov/PARKS/Aquatics/Swpool.htm

They just had a multimillion dollar equipment upgrade that means among other things less chlorine in the water.

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