National Baby Swimming Week runs from Monday 2nd to Sunday 8th October and it’s the time of year when we get to shout about all of the amazing benefits that baby swimming brings to children.
Babies and toddlers who swim have:
- Have stronger heart and lung functions
- Have better balance and are better at grasping things
- Are significantly stronger and more coordinated
- Walk earlier than their peers
- Have improved appetites and sleeping patterns
Helpful tips
- Please ensure that your baby is wearing a swimming nappy to prevent any little accidents in the pool.
- Armbands are not compulsory for babies, but you may feel more at ease if your baby is wearing armbands in the water.
- You can also place your baby in a trainer seat, but these are not recommended for very young babies as their neck muscles are not fully developed at a very early age.
- Thermal swim jackets or “Float Suits” are also a good idea as they offer heat insulation and assist with floatation in the pool.
- Try to ensure that your baby has not eaten for at least a couple of hours before getting in the pool. Be sure to support your baby carefully in the water and make sure they feel safe, and secure-this will help them to feel confident in the water.
- Remember to bring sufficient towels for you and your baby to ensure that you both feel as comfortable and as warm as possible when leaving the pool.
How long should you spend in the pool?
- Initially you’ll just be getting your child used to the water, so you probably won’t need longer than about 15-20 minutes.
- Your baby will not be able to tell you when they are cold so, please look out for tell tale signs, your babies lips may turn blue and their skin may go a grey/ashen colour, they may also become lethargic. If you do see any signs, please remove your baby from the pool and wrap them in a towel.
- Please do not be offended if the lifeguard approaches you regarding the length of time that you have been in the water with your baby, the staff are there to offer advice and have you and your babies welfare and safety in mind at all times.
View all family swimming sessions running at our pools across the city →
