Baby swimming tips

For clubs offering classes to babies – why is this such a great thing for young babies? Why do babies take to underwater swimming so well, and not take in water?

Babies have various reflexes that can assist with them learning to swim and not take water into their lungs. However, right from the start we prefer to teach babies to control their own breathing, thus giving them a sense of being fully in control.

What is the youngest age a child can learn to swim – or how can you tell when a child is ready to swim?

Babies are particularly well designed to start swimming from as early as possible. Two days was our youngest, but normally they start at about six weeks, after their mum’s check up. A baby is ready to swim as soon as their parents feel confident to bring them.

Children won’t have the physical strength to swim on the water’s surface until around three, but can confidently swim underneath from very early on.

What can a parent do if their child seems afraid of water (does this occur often?) Or what can a swimming instructor do?

Babies aren’t born with an innate fear of water. It will be other things causing them concern. Maybe they don’t like the change in temperature? The feeling of being too enclosed in the bath? The noise of a public swimming pool?

Whatever it is, the best thing a parent can do is to be constantly reassuring – providing a big smile and direct eye contact. If the parent starts to get upset, the baby will instantly pick up on this too. Take things very gently and slowly and never force your baby to do something they clearly don’t want to. Incidentally this is where a skilled instructor will also be able to really help you.

What is a typical length of time for a child to learn to swim (assuming weekly classes)? Do more frequent classes speed the process?

For children up to the age of four or five, half an hour is enough. For very young babies sometimes as little as 15 minutes is all they can cope with.

Most baby swimming classes last for half an hour, some 20 minutes. If your baby regularly seems to ‘lose it’ towards the end of a lesson, then you should try getting out a little earlier and see if this helps.One weekly class is enough, but some swimming in-between lessons can be worth its weight in gold. The opportunity to free play in a pool allows a child to build spatial skills, develop confidence and practice what they’ve learnt in lessons.

Will a teacher let a parent know if a child seems to have a special ability? Do you recommend life saving or other courses to them?

Yes, a good swimming teacher will be able to recognise a child’s potential from very early on and should encourage them to move onto a swimming club at a later date.

Teaching children life saving skills, such as through Rookie Life Guard or ASA Bronze, Silver and Gold Certificates can also be great fun and gives them extra skills that they can use when they get older.

What is the best example of quick progress (eg time to learn to swim or how quickly to swim a given length)?

It’s always best for a child to progress at their own individual pace. If a child has been taught good base techniques then they will learn to swim distances faster. Children who have swum from birth can expect to be confident swimmers by around two and a half or three – and in many cases will join mainstream lessons at least a year early. Care must be taken, however, to ensure that early swimmers aren’t put in a group where their cognitive ability is unable to cope with the instructions they’re given.

Any other comments?

Swimming is a core life skill and all children should be encouraged to have fun in the water as well as learning to swim. However, not every child is going to be the next Olympic champion, and you shouldn’t expect them to be!

Water Babies classes run across Hampshire and West Sussex. For more information contact Ali and Budge Pountney on 01794 399888 or look at www.waterbabies.co.uk