In your baby’s first year, you might like to do parent-child water play classes with your baby to help him get used to being in water. This can A few 30 to 45 minute sessions of moderate to vigorous intensity swimming per week is a great way of working towards your recommended level of physical activity. Health benefits of swimming If your baby enjoys their time in the water then that’s great, as Swim England share plenty of benefits to them having a splash about: Find out what’s at your local pool. "I’d been to ours loads, so I knew it was warm enough and had baby-changing facilities," says Rebecca. "If you haven’t been before, ring first or pop down and have a look. It makes it less daunting when you take your baby for the first time. Also, ask what the temperature of the water is. It needs to be at least 32˚C for young babies under three months."

Keep an extra close watch on toddlers and young children between the ages of 1 and 4 as they are at the highest risk of drowning. If your child is in this age range, she’s naturally very curious and can easily sneak away from you even when it’s not swimming time. This is why it’s important to secure your home swimming pool if you have one. Take it from us: it is in no way selfish. It’s sensible to wrap them in a big, warm towel while you get yourself sorted first. You can sort them out when you’re dry and dressed. Think about a proper baby class

Take their favourite bath toy

Newborns and infants should never be left alone around any body of water, like bathtubs or pools. It’s important to keep in mind that a child can drown in even just 1 inch of water.

Experts recommend that you can start taking your little one to parent-child swimming classes as early as age 1. Because every child is different, though, you may find your little one isn’t ready to start swimming lessons until a little later.

Get yourself changed first

a b c Goksor, E.; Rosengren, L.; Wennergren, G. (2002). "Bradycardic response during submersion in infant swimming". Acta Paediatr. 91 (3): 307–312. doi: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2002.tb01720.x. PMID 12022304. S2CID 22213714. Katie, who still teaches swimming alongside her programme role, says that if you want to leave it until later, then older children and even adults can learn to swim. Goksor E, et al. 2002. Bradycardic response during submersion in infant swimming. Acta Paediatrica 91(3):307-12. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12022304 Opens a new window [Accessed March 2022] Always make sure your child is supervised in the water and follow the safety instructions of staff whenever you're at the pool.

If you’re hosting or attending a pool party, assign the job of a “water watcher” to someone who can keep a constant eye on the children in the pool. Rotate the job in shifts so someone else can take over the responsibility after a short time. Make sure that the water watcher knows CPR and knows how to swim. If you don’t go to an organised class, most swimming pools run toddler and child sessions. They make taking your child in the pool a bit easier and a lot more fun than a standard swim with those nonstop length swimmers. Take a dressing gown or poncho towel for your older baby Instead, buy specific swim nappies – available in most big supermarkets or chemists – and a suitable swimsuit, trunks or wetsuit. Then you’re good to go. Go prepped Learning to enjoy the water with your baby will strengthen the bond between the two of you as well as making you feel more positive about swimming. What happens at baby swimming classes?Baby swim classes are usually made up of a small group of parents and babies. The classes are usually arranged by age. If you join a beginners' class it will be everyone else’s first time too. Some organisations also offer specific classes for babies who are premature or have additional needs. You see how much progression children can make in such a short period of time. They start not wanting to even get their hair wet, but then they’re swimming a width of the pool, jumping in or splashing their parents.

Thank You

If you have a swimming pool at home, you'll need to follow certain rules while it’s in use and keep it secured when it’s not being used. Pedroso FS, et al. 2012. The diving reflex in healthy infants in the first year of life. Journal of Child Neurology 27(2):168-71. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21881008 Opens a new window [Accessed March 2022] If you’re taking your newborn baby swimming, a large towel with a hood to swaddle them in will do fine. But if you’re taking an older baby who will shrug or wriggle a towel off, go for a dressing gown or a poncho towel. You can slip poncho towels over their heads to keep them on. Don’t drink alcohol, and eliminate distractions (talking on your phone, working on a computer, etc.) if you’re supervising children swimming.

I have never really come across an adult and child lesson that takes place in water deeper than standing depth, so you’re not having to tread water and deal with the baby at the same time. Don’t let your child use an inflatable mattress or floating toy, as he may slip off it into deep water or it may deflate unexpectedly, endangering your child’s safety Weeks, Carly (July 13, 2009). "Water Safety: Can a six-month-old save himself from drowning?". The Globe and Mail . Retrieved 18 August 2014.

Go prepped

You may have heard a popular myth that babies are born with the ability to swim. This isn't true, though newborns have reflexes that can make it look like they're swimming.