This week for my Moms and Babies blog I wrote about our Fourth of July weekend in NYC. What did you all do for the fourth?
For the long Fourth of July weekend we ALL — Mason, Scott, Kris, Kim, Khloé, Lamar, Kendall and our entire camera crew! — headed off to the Big Apple! It was Mason’s first trip to New York, where Scott was born and raised.
Scott and I enjoyed taking Mason around the city, strolling outside. What a fantastic city for children with the culture, the museums, the parks, endless activities and the energy.
We also took Mason out to the Hamptons to visit Scott’s parents, who Mason doesn’t get a chance to see every day like he does my family. Naturally, the grandparents were beyond excited to spend some nice time with their grandson relaxing by the pool.
Mason LOVES the pool! (Lots of sunscreen, a swim diaper and a big hat, of course.)
Which brings me to a subject I could use feedback on: I am thinking of having Mason start swimming lessons this summer. I’ve heard that babies become great swimmers when taught early because of their natural survival instinct to hold their breath under water. The combination of a pool and a baby does scare me if lots of caution isn’t taken though.
How does everyone feel about it? When is the right time to teach a child to swim?
Mason is wearing swim shorts by Stella Cove and H+M hat.
I agree that it’s important to introduce babies to water as soon as possible. I started taking my daughter to swim lessons when she was 3 months old and she’ll be a year old next week and is able to jump off the side of the pool, do double dives and is beginning to paddle. I almost drowned when I was 4 months old and my mom still hasn’t forgiven herself for the accident. I don’t ever want to experience that sort of devastation. Good for you for taking such a proactive approach in Mason’s life!!
I’ve always been sooo freaked out by it, because I watched one of those rescue shows a few years ago, where a little girl got water in her lungs from nearly drowning, and she died. …but then again…swim lessons would save someone from drowning, so I don’t know. I’d just have a REALLY good teacher…someone with a lot of experience with babies, for sure. I have a three-year-old, and a four-month-old, and I haven’t given either of them lessons yet, but it’s definitely time for my three-year-old! At that age, they’re so curious, they could lean into the pool. Also, just make sure all pools he has access to have either one of those alarms in case, God forbid, he fell in, or a great fence! I’d use both. God bless you, I pray for you, Scott and Mason! You’re a wonderful mom! I hope I didn’t scare you, by saying that! haha
Thanks Kourt for bringing that up, i have the same question. i have a baby boy who is 5 months and i have been wanting to take him to swimming classes but i wasnt sure if that was too early. One of my friend told me we can do it as early as 4 months! so i think im going to try soon. Good luck with Mason and let us know how is goes. LOVe ya!!
Dear Kim:
I was afraid of my son drinking that water, it is really bad for them, unless you a next to him and do not let him drink it. Don’t worry he will learn, my son is learning now but he understand that he can not drink it. Just be careful it could hurt him really bad. I am from New York and I love this city, I just went to the Manhattan Zoo and it is for kids, it is beautiful. I am also happy that you and Scott are together. Good luck.
My daughters 5 months old and I took her to the pool a lot this summer and i would definitley love to get her into lessons next summer. I don’t think you should worry so much about age as you do finding an instructor who specializes in teaching babies to swim. Obviously a 1 year old isn’t going to be swimming around the pool alone, but getting him used to water is probably the best way to go for now. Good Luck and let us all know how it goes!!
In Australia we start swimming lessons around 6 months old. It’s really just to get your baby familar & confident around water & its a great bonding time with the parents too. If you’re at the beach or around pools a lot, its a good idea to start when they are young. Happy swimming.
Visit Infantswim.com. Its amazing and can be the difference between life and death. Good Luck!
I don’t think he’s too young to start swimming lessons, especially because you all live in an area with so many beaches and pools. I think that it would be a great idea to start him on some swimming lessons. I know that there’s people who teach babies to swim. By the way, Mason looks sooo adorable in that pic!
I don’t think it is to early for him to take swim lesson, I say teach them while they are young. Maybe if more parents would teach their young children to swim early there would be alot less little kids accidently drowning because they don’t know how to swim. Mason looks alot like you!! WTG Mason….
I took my first kid at 1. My concerns primarily were his ears ie. Infections. He did get sick quite a bit as they swim in heated pools where the bacterial load is higher. Not necessarily ear infections though. Consequently I’ve been a lot more cautious with my daughter. It is nice when they are pool safe though and you don’t have to worry about them around water ever.
I definitely don’t think it’s too soon to start swim lessons. Children can start as young as two months. I started lessons for my son when he was 2 1/2 and my daughter was 1 1/2 and they have been swimming for a yr now. My newborn will be 3 months next week and will be joining his brother and sister at the swim club! I wish I wasn’t so “fearful” and had started my older kids sooner than I did because they absolutely love it! Good luck!
dear kourtney, My mum took me in the wather when i was 5 month. And now i know th sweem and i love the wather.This think is very important “to love the wather” and is very import to know to sweem. I love you kourtney
and kiss mason ! Good luck!
important*
I started baby swimming when they were about 6 months? They loved it! even going under! Now my oldest (9) is a very good swimmer and my youngest (just 3) loves it too. not scared to dive or jump into the watter (with those… floating things on her arms ofcourse). And she picks it up from her big sister. It’s good to teach them swim early. A lot of children drown because they can’t swim. And this way you feel little bit more saver.
carolina, from holland
They have bands that a child can wear and it goes off when they are in water!
Cute as a Pickle Mason ! Following Bruce he’s a Great Swimmer!
I did swimming lessons when i was young. As did my sister. I think it is a good thing to do! I havent put my kids in lessons yet. My oldest is 5. He loves to swim! he puts on a life jacket type thing and swims back and fourth in the swimming pool. My little girl she is 2 yrs and won’t go near the pool.
omg, mason is soooooo cuuuuuute!!! i love him so much <3 he’s such a nice baby! i’ve never seen him cried!
Hey baby Mason is sooo cute. I think he looks just like your brother Rob! I would so go for the swimming idea. Plus that way he wont be afriad of the water when it comes to family events that involve swimming. My nephew is deathly afriad of water and he is 4. So when we go to the Water Parks he freaks.
I have 2 little boys one will be 3 in November n the other will be 1 in November and i take them swimming all the time. I think the earlier you start them the better. My mom coached swimming for years and my brother, sister n I all grew up in the water. we were like little fish. I myself taught swim lessons and found the older the child the harder it is to get them in the water if they have never done so or already have a fear of it. And when my mom is around she also taught baby swim lessons forever and she will take them when they are about 6 months and just dunk them under the water ( really quickly) which like you said they do hold there breath. I mean hey you should go check it out maybe give it a try and see what mason thinks about it too. every baby is different some will love it and others dont but i think the earlier it is introduced the more they will learn to LOVE it!
OMG THAT BABY IS SO CUTE GOD BLESS HIM AND HIS WONDERFUL MUM… LOOKS LIKE YOUR BRO ROB AND EVEN LIKE YOUR FATHER.. NICE TO TAKE HIM TO SWIM EVEN IF HIS STILL SMALL…
They are never to young to teach them to swim. Get the lessons…..
Im a swimming instructor and i would highly recommend swimming lessons for children 6months+. its a life skill. Submerging is very scary for all parents but if you feel comfortable your baby will as well!
Good luck
Is He walking yet!? My daughter Is going on seven months and she is very smart but she is not able to walk on her own yet! For her to be so big she should be walking because oh my gosh she is heavy to carry! She is very healthy! I think she is going to be very built and sporty!
OMG YOUR BABY LOOKS JUST LIKE YOUR DADDY (RIP) IN THIS PIC.. HIS EYES AND SMILE… WAY CUTE..
Honestly Kourtney I think you should wait until Mason is 3 or 4 years of age before having him take up swimming lessons. I understand that he loves the pool, but he has his WHOLE life to swim….On the other hand I just wanted to let you know that I think that your a very good mother and since the day Mason was born, you have never let your busy lifestyle get in the way of you spending time with him. Most mothers in the spotlight do, but you don’t! Also, I read in one of your blogs that you do not like to cuss infront of Mason and you don’t like others too. So has Mason been baptized yet? I know your a Christian and all ( and I am too) so I was just wondering if he has… God bless!
while I have yet to start my 2 year old in swim lessons…..I have many friends who have with theirs. Usually before the age of 2 they just teach the infant survival skills. Basically, if Mason where to fall in the water he would be able to roll on his back and float. They also teach them how to get out of their shirt in case it would cover their face. I’m sure they have something similar to this where you are….but def don’t think its ever too early to start! Especially if you have a pool or your child will be around the water often….good luck!
omg , ilove you ! lol i hope to meet you some day lol im 13 i wanna be juust like you ! <3 tell mason i said hii :D
es muy lindo bebe, muchas felicitaciones!
YOUR AN AMAZING MOM despite your busy LIFE STYLE.. GOD BLESS Kourt!
I did YMCA “mommy and me” swim lessons with my son at 6 months…he LOVED them..totally loved. He is 17 mo now and still loves being in the water and his endurance is getting better all the time as well as his ability to hold his breath and not swallow to much water. Mostly I liked that I learned ways to help him learn about swimming…things that are age appropriate…I don’t think we’ll do any more formal swim lessons until he’s 3 or 4 but I am SO glad i did the baby ones so I could get an idea of how to prepare him in the meantime.
Kids learn so much through water play! I say go for it! It is fun for both of you!
Mason is adorable and I love getting glimpses into how much you love him and care for him.
that kid is just beyond cuteeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee its ridiculous! :)