Baby Swimming Lessons
Our lessons for babies age 0 – 14 months are perfect for introducing little ones to swimming and beginning a lifelong love of the water.
Building Foundations That Last a Lifetime
Water is a natural environment for babies. Joining Turtle Tots from a young age encourages familiarisation with water and helps little ones to develop early instinctive responses and lifesaving skills with the support of our highly trained and experienced teachers.
For parents, spending precious time teaching their newborn or young baby to swim is a unforgettable bonding experience, the benefits of which will last a lifetime.
The foundations of our award-winning, child-led swimming programme is communication. All our Turtle Tots teachers are trained to understand every baby’s non-verbal signals and body language. Each lesson introduces age and stage appropriate activities to support every child’s physical, social and emotional development and wellbeing.
Every baby has their own unique personality and we tailor every activity to suit them based on what they tell us they like and dislike. Most of our baby swimming programme takes place above the water with an emphasis on fun! Our lessons do include natural submersion but only when their child is ready.
We use lots of easy to learn songs and games in our lessons to ensure that you and your little one enjoy your time in the pool together.
But the benefits don’t stop there. Life-long friendships are often forged at children’s activity classes. Baby swimming lessons with Turtle Tots give you the opportunity to meet like-minded parents and carers, share your experiences and enjoy time together away from the pool.
Benefits of baby swimming
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of baby swimming lessons?
Baby swimming offers many benefits for both you and your baby. Our lessons support your child’s physical, social and emotional development, as well as giving your child the opportunity to develop their language skills. The Turtle Tots swimming programme fundamentally teaches vital life-saving and water safety skills, something that will support your child’s confidence in the water throughout their entire lives. Baby swimming lessons also encourage bonding and attachment, giving parents the chance to spend quality time with their little ones cuddling, playing and learning together.
What do I need to bring to baby swimming lessons?
All Turtle Tots babies and toddlers must wear a double nappy system until they are fully toilet trained. A well fitted neoprene Happy Nappy should be worn over a swim nappy. We have some fantastic reusable options available in our shop. Alternatively, you can purchase disposables from any good baby retailer.
If your little one feels the cold, or you are planning on swimming in cooler pools between lessons, you can purchase a baby wetsuit.
Also, don’t forget your own swimming costume, towels and a warm snuggly outfit for your baby after the lessons.
When is the best time to start baby swimming?
Babies can start swimming lessons with Turtle Tots from birth. Our lessons for little ones take place in lovely warm pools in locations across the UK. However, new mums may need to wait a little while until their bodies have fully recovered so if you would like to start your baby swimming journey as soon as possible, other family members may need to hop in the pool with little one initially.
More information about Baby Swimming
-
Clock change … how to manage your little one’s sleep routine
-
The Therapeutic Power of Parent and Baby Swim Time for Mental Wellbeing
-
Time to DITCH THE DISPOSABLE
-
MyBump2Baby Podcast
-
Summer holiday swimming skills you can practice at home
-
Top ten tips for staying safe near the water this summer
-
Top 10 questions about baby swimming
-
Lily sets her sights on swimming success!
-
Celebrating World Down Syndrome Day 2023
-
Why teaching water safety skills to children from an early age is important
-
Nervous about baby swimming lessons?
-
Choosing the right baby and toddler swimming lessons
Reviews
-
Of all the different baby classes i took my son to, turtle tots was by far the best money i spent. Corey just completed his level 1 and the difference of him in the pool after just 7 weeks is amazing. And its more than just nursery songs in the pool, its life saving skills that are being taught.
Miller 
-
I have a 7 month old and I love that Turtle Tots takes a gentle approach and really focuses on each baby’s cues and when they’re ready to try something new. Janet is a great teacher and really creates a safe environment which builds confidence. Could not recommend more!
Aisling -
My daughter started swimming lessons at around 12/13 weeks old. She’s now 7months and we’re on our second term. She absolutely loves it! We want her to be confident around and in water and her confidence has grown week on week. Karen is a great instructor. She’s patient and understands each baby’s confidence level. We’ll carry on swimming lessons!
Kelly T -
The classes are structured well with songs and toys to play with, while also learning about safety in the water. There is no pressure for babies to be submerged in the water if they don’t want to be and Katie & Lynsey the instructors are great. There is an app which you can mark absences and book make up classes which is an added bonus.
K D -
I highly recommend TurtleTots Falkirk,Stirling! We are attending Bo’ness class. The instructor makes the experience fun whilst being patient and understanding of the parent-baby relationship in the water. It is so fantastic to see my baby’s confidence in the water within a term time.
Divya -
Wouldn’t choose any other place for my baby to be taught how to swim.
Ana -
We have been having classes with Rachel at RD&E in Exeter since last September. We are really pleased with Rachel, she is lovely and caring and my daughter has been improving a lot since she started.
Rachel is always very patient and delicate with all babies and we couldn’t be happier with our experience.Liliana -
We love our weekly turtle tots sessions. My 8 month old is really happy in the water, which is lovely and warm. He’s also learning vital water safety as well as having fun! The instructors are excellent and classes well managed. It just has a nice vibe 🙂
Kim -
We have been with Turtle tots for nearly a year and we can see our little one has flourished, all the instructors are great! With the structured class and not overcrowded with too many people it is the perfect way to get your little one to learn how to swim. We have just had our pictures back from the underwater photo shoot they offer and they are amazing. thank you to Rebecca and all the team! A*****
Emma -
We started Turtle Tots to make sure our little one was confident and safe in water without him having the same fear of water as me. He absolutely loves his lessons and by doing them with him have also overcome some of my own fears with the guidance of Rebecca. Can’t recommend them enough.
Marie -
My daughter started swimming lessons at around 12/13 weeks old. She’s now 7months and we’re on our second term. She absolutely loves it! We want her to be confident around and in water and her confidence has grown week on week. Karen is a great instructor. She’s patient and understands each baby’s confidence level. We’ll carry on swimming lessons!
Kelly T -
My little one started Turtle Tots when he was not quite 5 months old. He is now almost 10 months, and it has been amazing to see his confidence and happiness in the water grow with each class.
Emily L