https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 25 May 2026 12:21:18 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-had-your-babyyoung-child-learn-isr-swim-lessons#post-2680417 Sun, 15 Jan 2017 16:46:18 +0000 ChiCalGoBee 2680417@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mediagirl: Bumping this thread because we are considering doing this program this spring and I wondered if anyone else can vouch for it? Did you end up doing it? The cost seems astronomical and it's definitely a huge time-commitment, but if the result is that my 2-year-old son is able to safely float in the water in case of emergency, it'd be worth every penny and more (of course). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-had-your-babyyoung-child-learn-isr-swim-lessons#post-2578798 Thu, 30 Jun 2016 13:26:54 +0000 skipra 2578798@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My sister put all 3 of her kids through ISR and they are all amazing swimmers. One of my nephews did actually fall into my mom's pool as a toddler and automatically flipped onto his back to float. I freaked out and jumped in clothes and all to get him, but he was totally fine! </p> <p>We couldn't commit to the time and cost unfortunately but I would have loved to put my kids in ISR. We don't have a pool but stay at my mom's house sometimes and it makes me nervous. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-had-your-babyyoung-child-learn-isr-swim-lessons#post-2578785 Thu, 30 Jun 2016 13:22:41 +0000 Jess1483 2578785@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cole: Absolutely! And that's definitely not what lessons looked like ;)</p> <p>With my older son, who started at 2.5, she taught him the swim first. She would stand about 1-2 feet from the wall and teach him to stretch out and just grab the wall. The next lesson, she'd move back a little further, or give him a bit of an angle, or something just a tad more challenging. After about 2 weeks, she introduced the float (which he did NOT like). Eventually (maybe 4-5 weeks in?) she'd have him swim too far away from the edge for him to reach right away, and he'd have to turn onto his back, into the float, to get air (she'd tell him before she did it...she didn't just surprise him and watch him try to figure it out.) Then he'd learn to flip from his back to his front to grab the wall. So now he could (in theory, of course), fall in, get himself floating, orient himself toward a wall, flip over and swim until he needed a breath, flip over to float to catch his breath, and return to swimming, then repeat until he got himself out of the water. The entire time, she emphasized breath control and eyes open in the water. Additionally, she would check to make sure he wasn't too cold (by pressing on his heel) and all sorts of other things to make sure he was safe and healthy.</p> <p>With my 1 yo (7 months at the time), she just very, very slowly got him to float. By magic, I guess? She'd just put him in a float position, then let go just a little bit longer each time. Then she'd start flipping him over and right back to floating so he'd get used to closing his mouth underwater (so underwater about a second). Eventually she could drop him in (in any direction--they test all sorts of ways of him falling in) and he would flip to his back and float. </p> <p>Both boys after having the basic techniques were tested by being flipped into the pool (gently) in a variety of ways, as well as in summer and winter clothes (since most kids don't fall into a pool in their bathing suits.)</p> <p>She was never more than an arm's length away from my child at any time, and was well trained to look for any signs of distress/injury/illness. I felt completely confident as I watched the whole series, although when people came with me or saw videos without that context, it alarmed them a bit.</p> <p>ETA: Many lessons weren't even an entire 10 minutes long. Some were just 5-7 minutes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-had-your-babyyoung-child-learn-isr-swim-lessons#post-2578738 Thu, 30 Jun 2016 12:50:50 +0000 Cole 2578738@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Jess1483: I'm really curious about these lessons but it would be a big time commitment for us and I'm not sure how my daughter would handle it (she's one of those kids that will reach hysteria in less than a minute and then puke...) would you be able to share a little more of what a lesson looked like? I feel like everyone talks about it in a way that suggests they just throw the kids in the pool over and over for ten minutes which surely can't be the case! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-had-your-babyyoung-child-learn-isr-swim-lessons#post-2578663 Thu, 30 Jun 2016 11:58:32 +0000 JenGirl 2578663@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Jess1483: I absolutely agree that any kind of floatie device can provide the same false sense of assurance. It's just something to be aware of, and why AAP has previously cautioned against swim classes in young kids. Like I said, I don't think it's really a reason not to do swim lessons, just something to keep in mind.</p> <p>And good to know about how the lessons switch when they get over a year. Maybe we'll look into it for next summer! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-had-your-babyyoung-child-learn-isr-swim-lessons#post-2578460 Thu, 30 Jun 2016 10:13:20 +0000 Jess1483 2578460@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JenGirl: before age 1, it's just about floating because they wouldn't be able to grab an edge and pull themselves out of a pool before then. After age 1, they learn to swim, flip over on their back to get a breath (most efficient until about age 6), then flip back over and swim again until they get to an edge. </p> <p>My instructor was also really clear about pool safety and harped that parents are the first line of defense. I'd say puddle jumpers/floaties or even any kind of swim lesson could do the same thing to parent complacency. </p> <p>Not trying to convince you (or anyone else), just want to make sure the info is accurate if people are considering it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-had-your-babyyoung-child-learn-isr-swim-lessons#post-2578388 Thu, 30 Jun 2016 09:31:51 +0000 JenGirl 2578388@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We thought about it but eventually decided against it. It's super expensive and difficult to schedule, at least where we are. Also, we watched a bunch of youtube videos and it's exclusively about getting a kid to float on their back. Most of the kids don't seem to like it much and we really just want our son to get used to the water so that he's ready to learn to swim as early as possible. If we had a pool, we would do it. The only real drawback I've heard is that it can make parents too complacent and not as careful around water, which can be dangerous. But, as long as you're still careful to supervise your kid, even if they can "save" themselves, then I think there's no real harm to it, if you have the time and money. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-had-your-babyyoung-child-learn-isr-swim-lessons#post-2578353 Thu, 30 Jun 2016 09:11:34 +0000 Jess1483 2578353@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Aimed121: I've heard that, too, and I would say this is where the instructor comes in. I never once felt like the lessons were "too much." I felt like they were so gradual you almost didn't know your kid could do it until test day. But I can imagine with different instructors, that experience could be different. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-had-your-babyyoung-child-learn-isr-swim-lessons#post-2578323 Thu, 30 Jun 2016 09:01:46 +0000 Aimed121 2578323@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have done a swim class that is not as intensive as ISR but we don't have a pool. If we had a pool I think that we would have gone with ISR. I have read that some people have had concerns with the level of intensity of ISR, but I think it's worth it if you own a pool or your kids have access to a pool regularly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-had-your-babyyoung-child-learn-isr-swim-lessons#post-2578319 Thu, 30 Jun 2016 08:58:08 +0000 Jess1483 2578319@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LulaBee: done. </p> <p>We don't have a pool. I actually decided to put my older son on because he kind of hated the water. He wouldn't even play at splash pads. It's still not his favorite thing, but he's so much more confident and enjoys it now. I figured if we were going to have a harder experience with swim lessons anyway, might as well go big. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-had-your-babyyoung-child-learn-isr-swim-lessons#post-2578298 Thu, 30 Jun 2016 08:48:04 +0000 Bluebonnet 2578298@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a pool and did ISR for both LOs. We started with LO1 3 years ago, LO2 started last year, and they both did refreshers this year.</p> <p>Its an excellent program and I highly recommend it. It is an investment (time and money), but well worth the peace of mind - especially if you have a pool.</p> <p>If you don't have a pool, I don't think its necessary (unless your kids are near a pool a lot). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-had-your-babyyoung-child-learn-isr-swim-lessons#post-2578285 Thu, 30 Jun 2016 08:40:34 +0000 LulaBee 2578285@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Jess1483: Can you wall me the video? My parents have a pool so I really want to do this, but DH is apprehensive due to cost and time- it's a 30 minute drive and lessons are at LO's bedtime... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-had-your-babyyoung-child-learn-isr-swim-lessons#post-2578276 Thu, 30 Jun 2016 08:30:34 +0000 Mamaof2 2578276@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If we had a pool I would have done it!</p> <p>My friend has a pool so they did it for their twins - the instructor came to their house and did the lessons - besides lessons they were in the pool every day - both were swimming very well by age 2! I was impressed! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-had-your-babyyoung-child-learn-isr-swim-lessons#post-2578271 Thu, 30 Jun 2016 08:27:18 +0000 Jess1483 2578271@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>And as for retention, the program is built on muscle memory. My instructor said generally the younger you start, the easier it is to retain it (which is why I started my baby at 7 months). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-had-your-babyyoung-child-learn-isr-swim-lessons#post-2578267 Thu, 30 Jun 2016 08:25:41 +0000 Jess1483 2578267@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I will add, the program is fairly expensive and very time intensive (for the 4-6 weeks, you go every week day for 10 minutes. You record everything your child eats and does (if they are under 3) and there are some dietary restrictions. Neither of my boys were "happy" to be in the water at first. My 1 yo likes the water, but not the actual floating (I'm ok with that...if he falls in, I'd want him screaming as loud as he can). My 3.5 yo is now very comfortable and a little fish. </p> <p>I've had 5 other friends put their kiddos through the program too, and everyone raves about it. We all used the same instructor, and I assume there is some variability, but I have faith in the program. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-had-your-babyyoung-child-learn-isr-swim-lessons#post-2578250 Thu, 30 Jun 2016 08:06:39 +0000 Jess1483 2578250@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, my 3.5 yo learned the swim-float-swim at 2.5, and has taken one round of follow-ups. My 1 yo learned the float at 7 months and he will learn SFS this fall. </p> <p>Both my boys are very comfortable in the water and I'm confident they could float/get out of most bodies of water if they fell in. I have a great video of my older son using the techniques I could wall you (it says his name and our state, so I don't want to post it). I also posted a video from his first round awhile back. I'll see if I can find to post.</p> <p>ETA: In this thread: <a href="http://boards.hellobee.com/topic/infant-swimming" rel="nofollow">http://boards.hellobee.com/topic/infant-swimming</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-had-your-babyyoung-child-learn-isr-swim-lessons#post-2578218 Thu, 30 Jun 2016 07:11:56 +0000 LulaBee 2578218@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Following. I just emailed the only ISR teacher in my city- seriously considering for my 7 month old. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-had-your-babyyoung-child-learn-isr-swim-lessons#post-2577607 Thu, 30 Jun 2016 01:30:00 +0000 mediagirl 2577607@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Has anyone here done ISR? What did you think about it? Did your child retain the information? Are you happy that you did it? </p> <p><a href="https://www.infantswim.com/" rel="nofollow">https://www.infantswim.com/</a> </p>