Infant swim lessons have become a popular early activity — often recommended for water safety exposure, bonding, and sensory development. But what do these classes actually look like at 9 months old? And are they worth the time, money, and effort?

We did two weeks of daily classes at a public pool when our baby was 9 months old. Here’s exactly what it entailed, what surprised me, and whether I’d sign up again — or just wait a bit longer next time.

What the Research Actually Says About Infant Swim Lessons

Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death in children ages 1 to 4, according to the CDC. That stat alone is enough to send any parent Googling swim programs before their baby can crawl. So the question then becomes: Do infant swim lessons actually help?
The short answer: they can support early water comfort and reduce fear. But, don’t expect your baby to be able to swim or self-rescue anytime soon.

Research shows that early exposure to water paired with adult supervision can help kids build comfort and basic skills faster. But the idea that babies will learn to swim or self-rescue at 6, 9 or even 12 months? That’s largely not supported by science.

• A 2025 study published in Children found that while structured lessons improved things like comfort in the water, true independent skills like floating and breath control didn’t appear until around age 2–3 (source).
• A Red Cross review of swim programs noted that children under 1 year typically do not demonstrate self-rescue behaviors, and that unsupported water competency usually begins developing between ages 2–5 (source).

That doesn’t mean infant swim classes are pointless. But it does mean you should go in with realistic expectations.

What About Those Viral Baby Self-Rescue Videos?

You’ve probably seen them: a baby in pajamas gets tossed into a pool, flips over, floats on their back, and waits to be “rescued.” The first time I saw one, my stomach dropped. (And if you’re anything like me, your anxiety spiraled halfway through the clip.)

These videos often come from ISR (Infant Swimming Resource) programs that teach roll-to-float techniques which are designed to help infants survive an accidental water entry until help arrives. The babies in those videos have typically gone through intensive, daily instruction over several weeks.

Here’s what’s important to know:

• This isn’t typical for most swim classes. Programs like ISR are different from standard group parent-and-baby lessons at a public pool.
• The goal isn’t swimming. Even ISR doesn’t promise that babies will swim— just that they can float independently until rescued.
• It’s okay if that level of intensity feels overwhelming. I’m glad that training exists, but it wasn’t the right choice for us right now.

Most parent-and-baby swim lessons are focused on water comfort, bonding, and routine. Not survival skills. And according to pediatric researchers, that’s developmentally appropriate. True self-rescue (floating without help, swimming short distances) tends to develop in early toddlerhood, after age 2, once children have more motor coordination and breath control (source).

So if you’re considering lessons but feeling a bit freaked out by the dramatic viral videos? Take a breath. You’re not behind. And you’re not failing your child by starting, what I would argue, the typical route.

For me, it was just as much about building my own confidence in the water with him.

Why We Signed Up

We enrolled in a two-week session at our local public pool: four classes per week, 30 minutes each. For me, I just wanted to feel more confident in the water with my baby. Plus, we are around water quite a bit in the summer, a few friends have pools and lake places, so it only made sense to feel comfortable heading into the summer.

And while our experience wasn’t life-changing, I’m really glad we went.

What Baby Swim Lessons Actually Look Like

Here’s what our classes entailed:

• Lazy river walks: parents held babies on their tummies or backs as we walked in circles.
• Kicking off the wall: assisted, gentle “pushes” to encourage movement.
• Water over the head: slow acclimation to splashing and pours.
• A few dunks (very gentle and optional).
• Ledge “jumps”: babies “jumped” into parents’ arms from the pool edge, always assisted.
• Blowing bubbles: encouraged the babies to get their face in the water

No goggles. No floaties. Just repetitive water play with a few songs (yes, Itsy Bitsy Spider made an appearance… which felt a lot like an analogy of having an infant).

There were about 8-10 babies in our class, each with one parent in the pool. Most babies seemed to be observing more than participating. Wide-eyed, a few squeals, the occasional meltdown. Ours absolutely loves the water so was splashing like a maniac the entire time.

What I Wish I Knew Before Signing Up

A few things no one told me before our first class:

• You’ll need two towels — one for baby, one for you.
• The post-class sleep is real. Our class was in the evening, so we immediately went home, took a bath, I nursed him, and then he was out for the night.
• Locker room floors are a slip hazard, so wear shoes that have some grip if possible.
• If you plan on doing anything after, bring snacks for both of you. Swimming = hunger.
• Don’t overthink the “progress.” Some babies float, sme cling. It’s all normal.

FYI: Swim Diapers Do Not Hold Pee

Here’s your friendly PSA: swim diapers are designed to contain solids only, not urine. So if you put your baby in one before leaving the house, be prepared for a wet car seat. They’re porous by design, otherwise they’d balloon up in the water.

Pro tip:
Layer a regular diaper under the swim diaper for the drive or walk over. Once you’re at the pool, you can slide the regular diaper out from underneath (as long as it’s still dry), and you’re good to go.

We’ve tried a few brands, and our favorite by far is the Coterie swim diaper. It’s soft, secure, and the only one that didn’t leave deep marks on thighs. Highly recommend.

Would I Do It Again?

Yes! Not because of what my baby learned, but because of how much more comfortable I felt afterward. I stopped clinging to floaties every second and started trusting that he could handle some water in his face, some splashing, and the general chaos of pool life.

Would I do anything differently next time? Maybe look for a warmer pool, or wait until closer to 12 months for more conscious interactions, (like blowing bubbles). But overall, I’d sign up again!

Our Favorite Baby Floaties

We’re a big floatie family. Here are the ones we actually love:

Mambobaby Non-Inflatable Float – you’ve seen it all over IG. Safe, secure, doesn’t tip easily. Link here.

Lessons helped me feel more confident without floaties, but these still come in handy — especially for travel or poolside hangs.

Let’s Talk About “Dry Drowning” (and What You Don’t Need to Fear)

Before our first class, I spiraled hard into the rabbit hole of “dry drowning” fear. I worried every face hitting water, every accidental large splash that was inhaled, would somehow result in a medical emergency hours later.

But then I watched this reel from Dr. Beech (dr.beachgem10/on IG), who’s a Pediatric ER Doctor and I cannot overstate how much it calmed me.

“Dry drowning is not a medically recognized term. If your child is breathing normally, alert, and playing after a swim, they’re okay.”

See this reel and this reel to hear for yourself what she actually says.

Here’s what you should actually look out for post-swim:

• Persistent coughing or wheezing
• Trouble breathing or fast breathing
• Blue lips, confusion, or extreme sleepiness

Bookmark those reels. I did. And sent it to multiple friends. And now sharing it with you.

Final Thoughts

At 9 months old, baby swim lessons didn’t teach my son to swim. But they taught me to relax in the water with him. And honestly, that might matter more right now.

If you’re on the fence, know this: it’s not about raising the next Michael Phelps. 🙄 (The actual quote from my lifeguard… lol) It’s about comfort, connection, and confidence. For both of you.

Want more?

I’ll be making a Pinterest checklist: What to Bring to the lake, pool or ocean with a baby — coming soon.