When to start Baby Swimming

New to swimming with your little one? We’ve put together a handy guide on when to start, what to expect and what you can do from home.

“How old does my baby have to be for their first-ever swim?” We get asked this question a lot as swim teachers, and that’s completely fine! We love questions because we know that navigating anything for the first time with your new baby may sometimes be overwhelming, especially a new activity or place. As a first-time parent, we understand what you are experiencing right now and we want you to know that all questions are allowed – we are here for you, and we are here to help you every splash of the way.

So, when can a baby go for his or her first swim? Well, a lot of people think that they need to wait for their baby’s first vaccinations before taking them in the water, but this is just one of those outdated myths! According to the official NHS guidance, “you can take your baby swimming at any age, both before and after they have been vaccinated. It does not matter if they have not yet completed their course of vaccinations.”

Vaccinations aside, many parents are also often a little wary of water quality and they like to know more about a pool before they visit. Well, for those that do have questions about pool cleaning and temperature, know that at Swim Works, creating the perfect warm pool and water environment for babies has always been one of our top priorities.

Our swimming pools at both Leamington Spa and Rugby (Warwickshire, UK) are unique. They have an outstanding level of cleanliness and a special, built-in filtration and UV sanitation system. This means that our water is cleaned and filtrated at a fast rate. It also means that your skin isn’t left smelling of chlorine! Our water is so gentle that we welcome both babies and those with sensitive skin or conditions like eczema. We hear many of our parents say, as they get in, “ooh this is nice”.

Unlike many other pools, we heat both our water and the surrounding air (meaning, when you get out of the pool, you won’t feel that instant cold!). The STA recommends that baby swimming takes place in water heated to over 30 degrees – ours is a lovely 32.

In terms of choosing a definite age to start your swimming lessons, our first baby (sensory-approach) programme is called Newborn Splashers and we’d recommend joining us when your baby is 6 weeks old.

In those first 6 weeks of your baby’s life, you’re sure to be resting up, recovering from pregnancy and birth, plus navigating all of those initial feed, sleep and routine worries. Whilst you might not have made it to the pool just yet, fear not, as you can most certainly still get confident with water from the comfort of your own home.

Prior to starting your swimming journey at 6 weeks, you can enjoy bathing together with your baby in your bathtub. Just take time to get to know the water, its feel and its sound. Cradle your baby and sing together, feel the movement of the water over your bodies or see if your baby enjoys light sprinkles on their hands and feet. Put the lights down low, play some music, cuddle and bond in the water.

We can offer guidance on this as part of our brand new programme, ‘Bath Babies’ – we have lots of top tips and can support you via Zoom calls, so do reach out if we can help you with your first little swims at home. These bathtime ‘activities’ will be a perfect introduction to your eventual term here at Swim Works, where we will continue on the theme of getting comfy, safe, familiar and together in the water.

As always, speak to your health professional to get advice on when it is OK for you to bathe and/or swim, or if you have any other concerns or questions about your postnatal recovery. As soon as you are ready, we will be here for you.

Once you begin our Newborn Splashers programme, we will welcome you to the Swim Works family with open arms. We provide new and existing swim families with lots of information and guidance – an online support group, welcome emails, videos, top-tips, fact sheets and more. We’ve tried to think of everything but if you ever have a question that is not covered, you know where we are!

In terms of your first-ever swimming term with us, know that we take things slow. Our lessons will focus on settling you and your baby into the water gently. We’ll practice lovely comforting holds together. We’ll talk about how the water will gently support and unfold your baby. We will make sure your baby feels safe, secure, and warm.

And for those first-time or nervous adult swimmers – you might like to know that you’ll always be able to stand up in our pools (there is no ‘deep end’). There are never any other classes taking place and the environment is quiet and peaceful.

In the pool, we’ll always focus on making you feel comfy and confident first, as well as your baby. You will also never be asked to do anything you don’t feel comfortable with – we provide options, explain everything we are doing in the water and our teaching approach is always child-led, and parent-led!

One of the highlights of your first baby swimming course with us is meeting other caregivers – mums, dads, grandparents – everyone is welcome at Swim Works! Often, we get asked, “will there be other dads in the class?” The answer – “yes!”. Our class participants do vary, but so many dads come to our baby swim classes and enjoy the close holds and moves with their baby that create lovely, lifelong bonds.

So, rest up, new parents, and we will see you very soon – we can’t wait to take you on your swim journey and make magical memories together.