Puddle Ducks Noah was heavy when he was born and I had some problems lifting him - it's fine now I've healed from labour. It made me feel like a bad mum that I didn't want to pick him up. From day 1, Noah was trying to stand up. From day 1, Noah was trying to stand up & could lift his head on his own. He was incredibly strong. I decided to take him swimming. I hoped in the water he would feel lighter and we'd get a chance to bond without me suffering. I choose the Puddle Ducks swimming school due to them using warm private pools and that only parents & babies would be about so if Noah kicked off they'd understand. I'd heard the baby pool at my local lesiure centre is too cold as they don't heat it up sufficiently to save money. He had a trial lesson at 6 weeks. I was late as I got lost finding the pool. It was a private pool that belonged to a big farm house. As soon as I got in, Noah wanted to be fed. The close skin to skin contact made him hungry, although, Noah often doesn't need an excuse to be hungry. I got out and fed him in the changing room. I was told I can feed by the pool side. Although Noah didn't seem to enjoy his first try I could see the benefits of continuing from the other babies so I paid for his first term. In January, at 8 weeks, he joined Floaties. I arrived early to feed Noah but when I sat on the bench waiting to go in, Noah got hungry again. I fed him by the pool side as the lesson began. Finally we got in. Noah cried a bit at first but as he relaxed he began to enjoy it. However, he got tired very quickly and after 10 minutes we had to get out. The following week we made it into the pool for the start. We made about 15 mins through the 30 min lesson before hungry striked! After a month of weekly lessons, Noah was making it through the whole lesson. He'd fall asleep as soon as he was dressed from exhaustion. I'd have to wait until he woke up to feed him. I actually started to get a guaranteed lunch break! After Easter you could clearly see the confidence he had in the water. He smiled as it was poured over his head. He happily swan underwater and only cried if he forgot to take a breathe but he was starting to understand the signals. He'd bounce excitedly on my lap whilst we waited to go in. I felt we had a bond developed on trust. He'd lean back on me as we swam around and knew he was safe. I looked forward to our lessons every week and my problems lifting him was becoming less of a hinderance. At 6 months he had to move up into the Splashers class but during the half term there was an underwater photoshoot. The teacher agreed that Noah was ready & I was excited to get the pictures so I could remember about our special time together. The pictures were awesome! It was hard to pick just one so... I bought three. In Floaties the lessons focussed on the babies getting used to the feel and movement of the water and dealing with it over their head. They learnt the signal to take a breathe and swim underwater. In Spalsgers the classes are more active. The build on the original skills but the learn the signal to jump. Noah loves jumping off the big float. It's hard to keep him on. He is also kicking his legs and splashing his arm and almost swimming independently. He's learning to kick off the side, turn in the water and swim through a hoop. He loves it. He giggles as he jumps off or is thrown in the air. The babies splash each other. Now it's hard to keep him on my lap when we are waiting for his lesson to start. I've also noticed that Noah and other babies that swim are stronger. They are early to crawl. Noah started crawling at 5.5months. He's been pulling himself up to standing since about 6.5 months. At 7.5 months he has been coasting on anything he can get up on, rather than crawl. Everyone thinks he'll be walking any day and he's only just turned 8 months. I would definitely recommend taking your baby swimming as soon as you can. It is a great bonding experience and really aids in their development. It has made me such a proud mama. I' going to miss going during the summer Hols that I'm going to see of we can brave it at a public pool. I've signed up for some summer holiday lessons and for the autumn term. I've planned my work hours so I can continue taking him swimming. For swimming Noah wears a Happy Nappy from splash about. Under that he wears Huggies little swimming. To begin with I wore my old maternity swimming costume and had no trouble getting my boobs out for feeding. Since loosing weight I now wear a slimming swimming costume. It is very tight so probably wouldn't be suitable for breast feeding but Noah has formula now. He also doesn't need to feed as often so he's not hungry at the pool anymore. If you have any questions about swimming with your baby, ask away. The same goes regarding the underwater shoot. I'll post the pictures. www.puddleducks.com www.splashabout.cpm
