A Guide to Ace Your Babies First Swim Class

Swimming is arguably one of the most important life skills for our children to master. It’s not only a great form of exercise and helps set the foundation for a healthy and active lifestyle; knowing how to swim can save your life. 

Swimming classes don’t just teach children to swim. They teach key skills such as how to tread water, climb out of the pool, reach for moving objects, swim underwater, and stay afloat, which are all necessary life-saving skills if a child falls into a pool or ventures too far into the sea. 

While we hope your child will never have to experience these things, it's always best to be prepared, and starting swim classes as soon as possible equips your child with essential skills from a young age. 

In addition to teaching your child to swim and other vital expertise, baby swim classes are a brilliant way to bond with your child, build their confidence, and help develop their little muscles. 

The first class is a little like your first run; it's always going to be the hardest. It’s often the unknown that’s the scariest part, and whilst we can’t tell you whether your little one is going to be the next Tom Daley or Jazz Carlin, we can help you feel as prepared as possible. 

Most swim schools expect your little one to wear a Happy Nappy™ to protect against faecal leaks. Our Happy Nappy™ Duo, with its advanced silver lining, is a world exclusive and highly recommended. 

If your class isn’t being held at a hydrotherapy pool, our BabyWraps™ are sleeveless neoprene wraps designed to provide core body coverage and warmth. A Wet Bag to store wet swimwear and soiled swim nappies is beneficial to avoid getting your bag or other belongings wet after your swimming class. 

Getting a cold and tired baby dressed after swimming class can be a battle, especially when you’re standing shivering yourself. Take some of the stress away with our After Swim Waterproof Onesies, ideal for keeping your little one warm after their swim class. 

Soft, snuggly and fleece-lined, they’re designed to keep children warm and cosy on the journey home from the pool. The snuggly soft fleece provides comfort and warmth from the inside, whilst the waterproof outer layer protects against wind and rain. We wish they were in our size, too!

Earbands and goggles can be great additions to toddler swim kits if the water in their eyes and ears bothers them. You may also opt to look at goggles for yourself if you plan to model underwater swimming to your little one. 

Tips for when you’re in the water: 

• Stay calm, babies can pick up on our emotions and body language and will feel calmer and more confident if you model this behaviour. 
  
• You don’t have to do everything in week one. Some parents and babies may have been attending the class for a long time. Take baby steps and allow both your confidence and your little one's confidence to grow.
  
• Between classes, you may want to get similar toys to those used in class and use them at home in the bath or when you take your baby swimming outside of lesson time. 
  
• Remember to give your little one plenty of praise and encouragement during their class. Swimming lessons are fun, but they can also be demanding for babies, toddlers, and young children, and you want to make them rewarding. 
  
• Focus on all the things they can do and the effort they’re putting in rather than the things they haven’t mastered yet. Never compare your child to others, they all learn at their own pace.

We hope this blog has prepared you for a great first experience. Swim classes can be daunting, but by being prepared with the right kit, keeping calm and believing in yourself and your baby's abilities, you’re sure to have a great time. For more information on any of the products mentioned in this blog, call a friendly member of our team on 0845 528 0831 or 01472 236465.