How to Keep Your Child Warm in a Swimming Pool: A Parent's Guide to Cold Pools and Swimming Lessons

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

Keeping your little one warm and toasty during swimming lessons is always at the forefront of your mind, right? Dressing them in thermal swimwear is the most effective way: designed to trap a thin layer of water against their skin, which their body then heats naturally. The right swimwear for your child's age, the pool temperature and how easily they feel the cold can turn a shivery ten minutes into a longer, happier session. Browse our full range of baby wetsuits to find the best fit for your little one.

Key takeaways:

• Pool temperatures vary widely across UK leisure centres, and knowing what to expect helps you choose the right swimwear.
• Babies and young children lose body heat much faster than adults, so thermal swimwear is essential in cooler pools.
• Fleece-lined wetsuits like the Warm In One™ offer maximum warmth for babies who feel the cold.
• Neoprene wetsuits and wraps provide core body warmth with freedom of movement for active little swimmers.
• Budget-friendly thermal swimsuits give families a practical warming option at a lower price point.
• Older children benefit from kids' wetsuits that extend their time in the pool during lessons.
• Keeping your child warm after they leave the pool matters just as much as keeping them warm in it.

There is no legal minimum temperature for swimming pools in the UK. That means temperatures can vary hugely from one venue to the next.

Swim England, in conjunction with the Pool Water Technical Advisory Group (PWTAG), recommends a maximum of 32°C for baby swimming and around 28°C for competitive swimming. Most public leisure centres need to cater for everything from baby classes to lane swimming, so they tend to settle somewhere in between.

For adults, that's usually fine. For babies and young children? Not so much. Little ones lose body heat much faster than we do. Their bodies can't regulate temperature the way ours can, and they can't move enough to keep themselves warm. A pool that feels perfectly comfortable for you might leave your baby shivering within minutes.

If that sounds worrying, try not to let it put you off. Swimming is one of the most wonderful things you can do with your child, and the right swimwear makes all the difference. That's why so many swim schools and experienced parents recommend thermal swimwear. It's a simple step that helps your little one stay comfortable, so you can both focus on enjoying the water together.

Not sure about your pool's temperature? Ask at reception before you go in. For newborns and young babies, look for pools heated to at least 32°C. For older babies and toddlers, 30°C and above is a good starting point.

The best swimwear for keeping your baby warm is a wetsuit or thermal suit that covers their body and provides insulation. We've designed three baby wetsuits at Splash About, each offering different levels of warmth so you can choose the one that's right for your child.

Warm In One™: Our warmest baby wetsuit, and a real favourite with parents whose babies feel the cold. It's made from TPU (a flexible material similar to neoprene) and lined with super soft polyester fleece. Full length sleeves and legs give maximum body coverage, and the fleece traps warmth against your baby's skin. It's ideal for public pools that aren't heated to baby class temperatures. Parents have told us their babies have actually fallen asleep in the pool wearing one: a true sign of how cosy it is. The Warm In One™ doesn't include a swim nappy, so you'll need a Happy Nappy™ or Happy Nappy Duo™ underneath. Available in sizes from 0 to 2 years.

Happy Nappy™ Wetsuit: This 1mm neoprene wetsuit combines warmth with built-in faecal leak protection thanks to the integrated Happy Nappy™. It covers the core and has 3/4 length sleeves, leaving hands and legs free for kicking and splashing. One less thing to think about when you're rushing to pack your swim bag. Available in sizes from 0 to 2 years.

Baby Wrap™: A 2mm neoprene wrap that opens completely flat, making it ideal for wriggly babies and toddlers who don't love being pulled and tugged into swimwear. It covers your baby's core to help regulate body temperature and leaves arms and legs free. The neoprene also gives you a more secure grip when holding your baby in the water, which can be really reassuring. Wear it with a Happy Nappy™ or Happy Nappy Duo™ underneath. Designed to fit ages 0 to 30 months.

All three work on the same principle: they trap a thin layer of water between the suit and your baby's skin, and your baby's body heat warms it. This creates an insulating barrier that helps maintain their core temperature for longer, so you can both relax and make the most of your time in the pool.

They are, especially if you're after something budget friendly that still provides genuine warmth. We know that kitting out a little one for swimming can add up, so we wanted to offer an option that doesn't compromise on comfort. Our Thermaswim range is made from a soft polyester and elastane mix with a brushed fleece inner that keeps little ones snug in the pool.

The Thermaswim Baby Suit has full length sleeves and legs for maximum coverage. The Thermaswim Toddler Suit features 3/4 length sleeves and knee length legs to allow unrestricted movement. Both have a full length zip for easy changing. The close fitting design works in the same way as a wetsuit: trapping and warming a thin layer of water to help regulate body temperature. Parents who have tried them have told us they really do stop the shivering during swimming sessions.

One thing parents really like about the Thermaswim range is how versatile it is. You can wear it on its own as swimwear or use it as a base layer under clothing for outdoor activities on cooler days. It's not as thick as the Warm In One™, but it offers real warmth at a lower price.

A couple of things to keep in mind. Don't use thermal swimsuits in hydropools or pools heated above 32°C, as your child could overheat. And neither the Thermaswim Baby Suit nor the Toddler Suit includes Happy Nappy™ technology, so you'll need a Happy Nappy™ or Happy Nappy Duo™ underneath for leak protection.

How Can You Keep Older Children Warm During Swimming Lessons?

Keeping older children warm matters just as much as it does for babies. Swimming lessons in cooler leisure centre pools can last 30 minutes or more, and children who are cold struggle to concentrate. If your child has ever come out of a lesson shivering and upset, you'll know how quickly that can knock their confidence. The good news is that the right wetsuit can make a real difference.

Our kids' wetsuits provide warmth and flexibility for children during lessons and water play. The neoprene traps a layer of water against your child's skin, and their body warms it naturally. This extends their time in the water and helps them stay focused on learning rather than feeling cold.

For pool based lessons, the UV Sun & Sea Wetsuit combines 1mm neoprene with stretchy polyester and elastane panels for comfort and freedom of movement. The Shorty Wetsuit is another practical option for indoor sessions. Both provide warmth without restricting your child's ability to kick, paddle and practise their strokes. Seeing your child grow in confidence lesson by lesson is such a rewarding thing, and keeping them comfortable in the water plays a big part in that.

Keeping your child warm after they leave the pool is just as important as keeping them warm in it. We all know that walk from poolside to the changing room. It can feel freezing, especially for a wet little one. And babies in particular can lose heat fast once they're out of the water.

A few things make a real difference here.

Have a towel ready on poolside so you can wrap your child up the moment they get out. Our Geometric Quick Dry Towel is compact enough for your swim bag and large enough to wrap around both adults and children.

Next, get them onto a warm surface for changing. Our neoprene changing mats are 3mm thick, so they won't feel cold like a plastic mat. It's a small thing, but it makes the whole changing experience less stressful for both of you.

And then there's the After Swim Waterproof Onesie. These fleece lined all in ones can be popped straight on after drying, with just a nappy underneath. They'll keep your child warm and cosy for the whole journey home. The waterproof and windproof outer layer protects against the elements, and the hood and cuffs at the wrists and ankles seal in warmth. We originally designed them when changing rooms were closed during the pandemic. They've since become one of our bestselling products because parents love how much easier they make the post swim routine. Getting out of the pool doesn't have to be the difficult bit.

For babies, a feed of warm milk after swimming can help them settle. Swimming takes a lot out of little bodies, so expect them to be hungry and ready for a cuddle.

If you'd like help choosing the right thermal swimwear for your family, or if you have any questions about our products, we're here. Get in touch with our friendly team and we'll make sure you and your little ones are set up for warm, happy swimming sessions all year round.