Swim & Water Safety: One Mom’s Experience with ISR Lessons

As a first-time mom, I spent countless hours preparing to bring my son into the world—reading, researching, and planning for every possible “what if.” While I didn’t want to spiral into paranoia, I knew I wanted to do everything I could to keep my baby safe. One of my biggest concerns? Water safety.Water safety.

Water Safety Starts in Infancy

Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1–4, and that fact hit me hard. My parents live on a lake, and we often spend time at beaches and waterfronts. The idea of my son accidentally falling into the water is terrifying—something no parent ever wants to imagine.

Like many others, I initially thought, “I’ll just never leave him unattended.” And while that’s essential, I quickly realized it’s not enough. Accidents happen in seconds. I wanted a safety net that went beyond supervision.

My Journey into Infant Swim Lessons

I started looking into baby swim classes and stumbled across some intense, controversial videos—infants being tossed into the water with minimal context or explanation. It felt harsh and overwhelming. Then I found Infant Swimming Resource (ISR) and everything changed.

ISR takes a much gentler, more thoughtful approach. The program teaches infants and young children how to roll onto their backs and float calmly if they ever fall into the water. It was exactly the kind of empowering skill I wanted my son to learn.

What Our ISR Experience Looked Like

Watching my son’s first few lessons with his instructor, Stephanie, was nerve-wracking. It’s tough to see your baby go underwater, even in a controlled environment. But week by week, I saw him grow more confident. He began learning how to:

-Hold his breath underwater

-Find the surface after submersion

-Float calmly on his back until help arrives

Now in our final week, he's floating confidently—even fully clothed, which is critical for real-world emergencies. It’s all about preparing for the unexpected.

Why I Believe in ISR

ISR is more than just swim lessons—it’s water survival training. It’s about giving your child the skills they need to save their own life in an emergency. That peace of mind? It’s priceless.

I’ve also appreciated the additional resources ISR offers, from trusted swim gear recommendations to safe water practices for the whole family. It’s not just about the kids—it’s about making water safety a lifestyle.

Final Thoughts for Fellow Parents

If you’ve ever felt nervous around water or unsure how to prepare your child for it, I see you. I encourage every parent to learn about ISR and consider introducing their child to basic water survival skills—no matter their age.

It’s never too early (or too late) to make water safety a priority. Knowing my son has the skills to stay safe gives me peace of mind every time we visit the lake, beach, or pool. I’ve done everything I can—and that feels pretty good.

Along the way, we’ve found a few helpful tools that make our water days a little easier. The Moasis Towel Bundle has been great for quick dry-offs after swim lessons, and the Swim Diaper Bundle has everything we need in one place. We also keep the Dry/Wet Bags handy for organizing wet and dry gear, and our Lifesaver Mat comes with us everywhere—it’s perfect for lake days, quick changes, or even just relaxing on the grass. Just a few little things that have helped us feel more prepared and comfortable around the water.