Baby Swimming Lessons
Our baby swimming lessons for children aged 0 – 14 months are perfect for introducing your 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 baby swimming lessons 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
Should I wait until my baby can hold their head up before starting swimming?
No – with proper support from a caregiver, newborns can enjoy swimming well before they can hold their head independently.
What’s the difference between baby swimming and baby spa treatments?
Baby swimming lessons focus on water safety and early swimming skills, while baby spas are about promoting relaxation through hydrotherapy, massage and sensory elements like lights and music.
How soon after birth can I take my baby to a hydrotherapy pool?
If you’ve had postnatal clearance from your GP and your baby is healthy, you can visit a hydrotherapy pool from birth. Be sure to check that the water is warm enough for your baby.
Is chlorinated water safe for newborn babies’ skin?
Unless they have a chlorine allergy, it’s perfectly safe for your baby to enter chlorinated water from birth. We always recommend rinsing your baby’s skin in fresh water after swimming and applying a gentle moisturiser if needed.
Can premature babies start swimming at the same age as full-term babies?
No – premature babies’ immune systems develop more slowly than full-term babies. Check with your GP or health visitor before taking your preemie swimming.
What is the minimum age for baby swimming lessons in the UK?
There is no minimum age! Here at Turtle Tots, we welcome babies to our swimming lessons from birth.
Can newborn babies go swimming before their umbilical cord falls off?
It’s generally recommended that you wait until your baby’s umbilical cord has come off and the stump has healed fully to avoid infection risk. Always check with your midwife or GP if you’re unsure.
Is it safe to take my baby swimming if they haven’t had their immunisations yet?
Yes. The NHS confirms there’s no need to wait until after your baby has had their vaccinations.
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
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Splashing through the Generations: Why Every Grandparent Should Take Their Grandchild Swimming
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Preschool Swimming Lessons and Preparing for Big School
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Toddler Swimming: Progression From Confidence To Independence
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Building water confidence: from bath time to pool time
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Baby Swim Nappies – The Lowdown
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It’s time to get ready: how to prepare for babies first swimming lesson
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Name the Turtle Tots Mascot and WIN free swimming lessons
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Baby Swimming with a Disability or Complex Needs
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Why the Right Pool Matters for Your Baby’s First Swimming Lessons
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Making a Splash for Mental Health: How Swimming Supports Children’s Wellbeing
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When can babies go swimming? Your complete guide
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Clock change … how to manage your little one’s sleep routine
Reviews
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We have been coming since June when my daughter Penelope was 4 weeks old. She absolutely loves it, the swimming instructors are amazing and every week we look forward to bringing her back.
Nicole 
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Our daughter has been going to Turtle Tots since she was just 3 months old, and we honestly couldn’t recommend it enough!
Not only does she absolutely love the classes, but she’s also made some amazing friendships that we hope will last a lifetime. The classes are fantastic, the instructors are brilliant, and it’s been so lovely watching her confidence grow in the water.
We’re so glad we started her at Turtle Tots — we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to anyone!Anonymous -
We enrolled our daughter when she was just six months old, and at 2.5 years old now, she still counts down the days to every lesson.
Starting so early gave her an incredible sense of water confidence, but what really sets this school apart is the teachers. They strike the perfect balance between fun, song-filled encouragement and essential water safety skills. Over the past two years, watching her progress from gentle splashes and submersions to kicking, paddling, and climbing safely in and out of the pool has been amazing.
The pool environment is always warm, clean, and welcoming for little ones, and the instructors are wonderfully patient with toddler moods. It’s easily the best activity we’ve invested in for our daughter—couldn’t recommend them highly enough to any parent considering baby or toddler swimming!Efstratios C -
Absolutely amazing my little one has been swimming since 10 weeks old he’s now one and loves his swimming
Yes -
It’s very good. Seems well structured and the trainer knows what they’re doing.
The only that stops a 5 for us is I often think there are too many in group some weeks. It could be our baby not liking too much noise and distraction but sometimes you are almost tripping over other people owing to the numbers.Anonymous -
Turtles tots is excellent. Such a fun way for babies and toddlers to gain confidence in the water. The lessons gradually build skills and techniques. Zoe from Marlborough/Swindon is a superb instructor! Swimming lessons are a highlight in our week!
Anonymous -
We’ve been taking our daughter to swimming lessons with Zoe since she was 3 months old. Zoe is a fantastic teacher and her lessons are always really fun an engaging. Lots of skills to practise if you go swimming outside of lessons too.
Rebekah -
My son has been at turtle tots since he was 8 months old. Hes now 22months and loves his lessons.
Anonymous -
My wee one has been attending lessons since she was about 7 months old she is now 18 months and is almost swimming by herself. She loves coming to her lessons. The staff are also great and my wee girl has also made lots of friends from attending her lessons. I always recommend turtletots to people who have asked about swimming lessons from r their children.
Jenni -
There small relaxed classes , our swim teacher Caroline is so good with the children relaxing voice for them , and leave you alone if u need step aside the group if you child having a moment but still got eye on you , would so recommend turtle tots to start learning to swim
Cat -
Love attending our turtle tots lessons with our now 18 month old. We’ve been going since she was 12 weeks old and it’s the highlight of our week. Hayley is an absolutely fabulous teacher, so warm and engaging and fun. We have also had some lessons with other turtle tots teachers and everyone we have met has been great – a testament to their excellent training. It was really important for us to introduce swimming at a young age for confidence in the water and also development and we’re so glad we chose turtle tots.
Charlotte -
Turtle tots are brilliant. My daughter had a fear of the water but this has eased greatly and is gaining confidence in the water. Number in the pool is small so is beneficial to the children learning.
Anonymous