We find the earlier they start the better!

The sooner your baby is introduced to water after birth, the more natural the transition is.

Swimming allows tremendous freedom of movement, exercising a multitude of muscle groups, strengthening both heart and lungs. This stimulates appetite leading to improved sleep and eating patterns.

There are many benefits associated with introducing your baby to an active lifestyle.

Simply bathing your baby can show them how much fun the water can be! Gently splash and sprinkle water over their body or move baby through the water on their back. Let them feel the natural fluidity of the water.

Babies can start swimming from birth but this does depend on a few factors. Please ask us about the temperature of the water at your chosen venue as this has significant impact. As soon as Mum is feeling well enough then your baby can start a Splash Babies Class, and Dad can too!

Swimming is also fun for babies and helps them to become part of a group! We often find many friendships are made between parents and children too!

Please ask and we can recommend a class that will suit your individual needs.

Prior to being immunised, thousands of babies across the world have been swimming. They have experienced no harmful effects. The NHS immunisation website states you can take your baby swimming at any time, regardless of inoculations. For further information from the NHS Click Here

Public pools have water treatment procedures and regulations in place that make the possibility of transmitting infectious diseases extremely unlikely. An important factor to remember is that the specific inoculated diseases cannot be carried in chlorinated water.

However, obviously, we want you to be entirely happy in our classes.

If you have any doubts regarding immunisations and want to wait until your baby's record is complete then ensure you have your baby's name down on the Splash Babies waiting list. We’ll see you and your beautiful baby once their jabs are complete.

Please bring the following items to every Splash Babies class:

  1. Swimming nappies
  2. Wet suits are recommended as they maintain the warmth of your baby
  3. Swimming costumes
  4. Towels
  5. We also recommend that you feed baby after class as they can become very hungry and tired after exercise

Breast-feeding can be done just before or during class. Formula can be given up to 30 minutes before class. Solid foods can be given up to one hour before class.

Anybody can come along and join in the fun! The minimum is one adult per child, and maximum is two adults per child.

All Splash Babies classes are 30 minutes. During this time we sing nursery rhymes and play games using these simple methods to learn different holds, using floats, hoops and toys. We practice the Birthlight technique to instill confidence in the babies.

You will be actively involved with all aspects of the class, including singing, having fun, splashing, using floats, teaching them to climb out of the pool and submersion techniques.

Our classes will equip your baby with skills that may one day save them from drowning. Submersion techniques will help your baby learn how to control breathing when underwater. We teach submersion techniques if the baby is happy. Our aim is to build water confidence safety and lifesaving skills.

When a baby goes underwater, their 'Dive Reflex' kicks in. The same sort of thing happens when you swallow. The epiglottis closes over and blocks the throat so that no water can get through. That is why you often see a picture of a baby swimming underwater with his or her mouth wide open!

We find our babies enjoy learning to master the water without the use of armbands.

There are many reasons your baby may cry in the water.

All babies have to adjust to the new environment around them with its new sounds and sensations. The splashing and feeling of the water will be new and exhilarating.

Around 12 months of age, some babies can experience a crying phase specific to swimming. This can cause some emotional turmoil for parents during this time, as the instinctive reaction is to stop coming to classes however this time does pass. We advise parents to remain positive and relaxed and hopefully we can work together with you to make sure your baby only cries when its time to get out!

No. Please do not bring your baby to class if you baby is ill with a temperature, cold, conjunctivitis or an ear infection. Please let us know if you and your baby cannot attend the class. If you have any questions please contact us.

This depends on your baby and his/her ability however the more classes they attend, the more experience they will gain.

  • Skin-to-skin contact encourages bonding with your child as you give your child your undivided attention
  • Your baby becomes happy and confident in the water
  • Helps develop baby's brain, heart and lungs
  • Good for muscle development, strengthening muscles and ligaments
  • Superb for babies coordination and balance - helping to develop motor control and agility
  • Stimulates your baby's metabolism
  • Huge improvements in sleeping

Potentially, your baby may learn the skills to save a life.