“Dear Splashy, with the cold weather setting in, the nights drawing in earlier, and the absolute chaos that is the festive season, I'm wondering whether I should bother keeping up with my baby's swimming lessons over Christmas. Between shopping, wrapping, visiting family, and trying to maintain some sort of routine, is it really worth braving the cold and dark to get to the pool? I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed and guilty about potentially missing sessions. What do you think?"

Oh, we hear you! This is honestly one of the questions we get asked most often as the tinsel starts appearing in shops and those to-do lists become never-ending. First things first: take a deep breath and give yourself a break from that parental guilt. If the hectic Christmas schedule means missing a few swimming sessions whilst you're creating magical memories, baking gingerbread, or simply surviving the festive madness, that's absolutely okay.

That said, if you can carve out the time, don't let the cold weather or those early dark evenings put you off keeping up the swimming fun. In fact, winter swimming can be brilliant for little ones, and we've got some tips to make it as stress-free as possible.

The colder months don't have to mean uncomfortable pool sessions. This is where our thermal range really comes into its own:

The Warm In One™ is an absolute game-changer for babies and toddlers (0-2 years) who feel the cold. This award-winning wetsuit is lined with super soft fleece and has full-length arms and legs that provide complete coverage. It works by creating a barrier between your baby's body and the water, which is then heated by their own body warmth. The snug cuffs around wrists and ankles help maintain that precious warmth and keep any barrier creams in place too. Available in a range of gorgeous prints, it coordinates beautifully with our Happy Nappy™ range, so your little one will be both cosy and leak-free. 

The After Swim Waterproof Onesies are honestly a godsend for winter swimming. These clever little numbers have a luxurious soft fleece lining and can be popped straight on after swimming. The waterproof and windproof outer layer protects against the elements during that dash to the car, whilst the large hood and ribbed cuffs at the wrists and ankles keep all the warmth in and the cold out.   

These make perfect stocking fillers that serve a purpose beyond Christmas morning, and they're all designed with safety in mind (food-grade paint for those inevitable chewing sessions and no holes to collect mould). Remember, adult supervision is always required when children are playing with toys in water.  

So, should you take your baby swimming over Christmas? If you can manage it without adding to your stress levels, absolutely yes. The combination of staying active, maintaining routine, and those easier bedtimes can actually make the festive period more manageable. But if it all feels too much and you need to press pause for a couple of weeks to focus on other things, that's perfectly fine too.

The key is making it as easy as possible for yourself. Invest in the right thermal gear, have that post-swim routine sorted, and don't beat yourself up if you need to skip a session or two. Your baby won't mind either way as long as they're warm, fed, and spending time with you.

And remember, whether you're making a splash in the pool or making memories at home, you're doing a brilliant job navigating this wonderful, chaotic, sometimes overwhelming journey of parenthood.

Happy Splashing (and Happy Christmas)!