Join us at Parent and Baby Swimming...

The Swim Hacker
Mar 6, 2024
4 min read

Updated: Nov 4, 2024

Getting your baby or toddler into swimming lessons early on is fantastic for their development of motor skills and getting them comfortable and safe around water. It’s one of the few sports your child can participate in before they can learn to walk.

We frequently get asked a number of questions around this topic, so we thought some FAQs and answers would be beneficial.

PARENT AND BABY SWIMMING FAQ'S

What should my baby wear in the water?

We suggest a warm layer over a swim nappy. A warm layer could include a baby wetsuit, fleece lined or neoprene. Each baby is different when it comes to regulating their temperature in the water and it may be best to start with more layers in the water and remove them as they become more active swimmers.

In regard to swim nappies you can use disposable or a reusable nappy. We often suggest the double nappy system. This involves wearing a disposable swim nappy under a Happy Nappy. A Happy Nappy is worn with cuffs that fit snuggly to the body and legs to prevent any leaks into the pool and are very effective. The advantage of the double nappy system is that if you baby does have an accident in the pool everything is contained and can be disposed of more easily after the lesson. Swim nappies should be disposed of in the bins in bathrooms of our venues.

We suggest looking at a company called Splash About for your baby’s swimming clothes and Happy Nappy.

What temperature is the swimming pool?

Linden bridge is 31 -32 degrees C

Cheam Fields is 29 degrees C

Our other bigger 25 m swimming pools, City of Freemen's, are at a standard temp of 27.5 to 28.5 degrees C.

What should I bring for after the lesson?

Please make sure you have the "baby bag” packed with warm clothing for afterwards, regular nappies for the journey home and towels for yourself and baby.

A spare bag for wet items is always a good idea to make it easier to change and pack away after the lesson.

Make sure you rinse chlorinated water off baby and apply any moisturizing creams that you regularly use.

Our swimmers are often hungry and tired after their lesson so a snack or drink for after you leave the pool is advised.

Food cannot be consumed at the venues

What should my baby wear after the lesson?

Warm towels and a hooded towel are a great idea to wrap up baby when first out of the water. Generally warm clothes including a hat and vest to retain babies body heat to help keep baby warm immediately after the lesson.

Will I need to bring a changing matt?

Evans swim school (and Nippers to Flippers) provide you with a changing mat at the venue.

Can my baby swim with a cold?

We do recommend if baby has a temperature, it is best to NOT bring them swimming. However if they have a mild cold or runny nose it is generally fine to swim, we suggest that on this lesson they would be more comfortable on the surface of the water so just let the instructor know.

How early can I bring my child swimming?

Swimming can be enjoyed after all baby vaccinations. It’s important that parent and baby feel comfortable in the water together. Each baby needs to be accompanied by a parent or guardian in the lesson. If you have siblings that will not be in the water, they must also be accompanied poolside by a parent or guardian. If swimming with twins each twin will require a parent or guardian with them in the lesson

When do I stop getting into the water with my baby?

Our parent and baby lessons are for children up to 3 years. After 3 they will move into our Stepping Stone classes where you won’t be required to swim in the water with them but can watch from the poolside viewing galleries.

Nippers 2 Flippers is part of Evans Swim School and specialises in providing our baby and early years swimming lessons.