Here are some important steps to take to help keep your child safe when she is swimming or is anywhere near water: Let your baby splash and play with his bath toys. Throw one a few feet across the pool and "zoom" him through the water to retrieve it. Keep the dressing gown or poncho at the poolside. That means you can peel off their top layer as soon as you get out of the water. They’ll be happy and warm in their poncho or gown with their swim nappy underneath for five minutes until you’re sorted. Try to time it well

Taking your baby swimming for the first time: top tips Taking your baby swimming for the first time: top tips

For our DIPPERS and SPLASHERS up to 2 years a neoprene baby wrap over the top of a swimming nappy for extra warmth in lessons.

There are many organisations that run classes just for babies. They can be a bit pricey but they’re held in warm pools. See what's running in your local area or ask other parents for recommendations.

BABY Born My First Swim 30cm Doll | The Entertainer

Castor ML, et al. (2004). Safe swimming: Talk to parents about preventing recreational water illnesses. Waiting until your baby is 6 months is also safer for your little one’s growing immune system and body. In the meantime you can enjoy warm baths for water fun. We have a skilful and passionate team of trained and qualified baby swim specialists to help everyone learn, stay safe in the water, and have fun during classes.Never leave your baby alone — or in the care of another young child — in or near a pool. Drowning is the number one cause of injury-related death among children 1 to 4 years old, with children 12 to 36 months old being at highest risk. All floats and equipment used in our infant swim lessons will be provided by the centre but there are a few things you need to bring.

baby swimming and swimming lessons - BBC Tiny When to start baby swimming and swimming lessons - BBC Tiny

Never leave your baby alone — or in the care of another young child, or an adult under the influence of drugs or alcohol — in or near the pool. Unlike other mother and baby swimming sessions, at Better, any guardian/carer for the child is welcome to attend the lesson. NHS Choices. 2016. Can my baby go swimming before or after vaccinations? NHS Choices, Common health questions [Accessed May 2018]

Don’t let your child walk on the pool cover while it’s covering the pool, as he could accidentally fall in the pool and get trapped underneath 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

BABY born My First Swim Boy 30 cm | Smyths Toys UK BABY born My First Swim Boy 30 cm | Smyths Toys UK

But don’t expect to be sewing any swimming badges onto their costumes too early on, Katie explains. 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. These classes will help to guide your baby at the right pace in the water. They also do other handy stuff like having changing mats on the side of the pool for if your baby has a mid-swim accident. Find out about toddler sessions at your local swimming poolBenjasupattananun P, et al. (2011). Infant swimming in chlorinated pools and the risks of bronchiolitis, asthma and allergy. DOI: 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. 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. For additional safety, keep rescue equipment (a shepherd’s hook or life preserver) next to the pool and enroll your little one in swim lessons as soon as he or she is developmentally ready. It’s natural for you to feel anxious the first time you and your baby try this. Rest assured babies have a natural affinity with water. Plus, your baby's inbuilt gag reflex is generally strongest up to six months old. This reflex allows him to hold his breath under water without even thinking about it (Cluett et al 2018). How do I find out about baby swimming lessons?Ask whether your local pool does swimming classes or sessions for parents and babies.