Frequently Asked Questions
Can my baby swim before being immunised?
Yes. You can take your baby swimming at any age, both before and after they have been vaccinated. It doesn't matter if they haven't yet completed their course of vaccinations.
Babies sometimes experience side effects after a vaccination. These are generally quite mild and shouldn't stop you taking your baby swimming.
However, babies who are feverish or irritable in the days or weeks after a vaccination may not feel up to swimming for a few days, so you may prefer to wait.
Please always seek medical advice before introducing your baby to swimming classes.
Please click here for NHS guidance and here for Government Immunisation details.
My little one has a runny nose can we still come swimming?
Please, never bring your child swimming if either you or they have any significant illness, including ear infections, chicken pox, a bad cold, or vomiting/diarrhoea. It’s not fair on you, your child, the other families, your teacher, or the pool. Please ensure that any sickness / diarrhoea symptoms have completely cleared for at least 48 hours before your lesson. If you’ve ever seen the mess a liquid leak can cause, you’ll know why we have to evacuate the pool in a hurry!
I can't swim...is it safe for me to get in?
Yes. Many parents come to classes because they cannot swim or they are nervous in water and want their child to grow up with no fear (and a healthy respect) for water. Our pool is .5m in shallow and 1.25m in the deep end so you will always be able to touch the bottom. All our teachers are trained in helping nervous parents settle and relax in the water.
Do they have to go under?
Our lessons are child-led and your little swimmer will not be forced to take part in any activity they are not ready for. We are focused on your parent and child relationship; swimming together enhances your bonding and attachment during your swimming lesson. We do not participate in forced submersions. All our teachers are trained to recognise non-verbal cues from your little one and to ensure their aquatic journey is a fun and enjoyable one. We are there to support and promote your babies freedom to move in the water at the right time to enable their aquatic journey to flourish.
Is the pool cold?
All the pools we use are a minimum of 30oc which is a standard swimming pool temperature. The transition from baby and preschool to group swimming lessons once swimmers are preschool age using standard swimming pools at standard temperatures is much smoother. Lots of our little swimmers use the baby wetsuits and full suits to keep them warmer especially during winter months and getting changed after swimming.
Do i have to go in too?
Yes. There must be at least one parent or guardian in the water with all our Baby classes.
What should me and my baby wear?
You will need suitable swimwear (trunks / costume). Please bring yourself a towelling robe / towel to keep warm whilst getting your little one changed.
Your little one must wear a disposable swim nappy and a neoprene nappy (double nappy). Over the top of their double nappy they must wear a swim suit / baby wetsuit. Also bring them a towelling robe / hooded towel to keep warm after lessons.
Where do we get changed?
There are changing facilities at each site. Some of them are mixed family changing and others have single sex changing. Please check the changing room information specific to your swimming venue.
Can i feed my baby before we swim?
Your baby is less likely to enjoy swimming if they are tired or hungry. For breast or bottle-fed babies there is no problem feeding them before or after the class. For their digestive comfort and to prevent any regurgitation we advise half an hour before swimming.
For older babies on solids it’s best to leave it up to an hour before the class starts to prevent regurgitation in the water.
Is there anywhere to park?
At most of our venues there is ample parking. Please see the parking information specific to your swimming venue.
For more info about baby swimming please take a look at some of our blog posts...….
