{"id":1036,"date":"2026-03-21T14:44:16","date_gmt":"2026-03-21T14:44:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/turtletots.prioritypixels.dev\/get-ready-for-baby-swimming-lessons"},"modified":"2026-03-13T14:21:12","modified_gmt":"2026-03-13T14:21:12","slug":"get-ready-for-baby-swimming-lessons","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.turtletots.com\/uk\/news\/national\/get-ready-for-baby-swimming-lessons\/","title":{"rendered":"It’s time to get ready: how to prepare for babies first swimming lesson"},"content":{"rendered":"

Getting ready for your little\u00a0one\u2019s\u00a0first swimming lessons? A little preparation can go a long way to helping that first splash\u00a0feel\u00a0easy and enjoyable for you both!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To help you get started,\u00a0we\u2019ve\u00a0pulled together our top tips to help you and your baby feel prepared \u2013 both before you head to the pool and while\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0there.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s\u00a0our complete guide to getting ready at home, knowing exactly what to expect in class, packing the right kit and breezing through the changing rooms.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Preparing baby for swimming with calm, happy bath times<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Nurturing a love of bath time is one of the best things you can do to prepare your baby for their first swimming lessons.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Having been snuggled in the womb for nine months, your little one already has a natural affinity with the water! But there are a lot of new sights, sounds and smells that come with being in the water earthside \u2013 and it can all be a bit overwhelming for them.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Helping your baby feel comfortable and relaxed not only means that bath time itself will be easier and more fun for you both, but also that\u00a0they\u2019ll\u00a0be more likely to adapt well to a pool setting when the time comes.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How to bath your baby safely<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

We know that handling a wet and slippery baby can be a bit daunting at first \u2013 especially if\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0a new parent. Here are some tips to keep bath time safe and stress-free:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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  • Keep the water shallow (about 20\u201330cm) and make sure the temperature of the water is between 37\u201338 \u00b0C.\u00a0\u00a0Ideally, use a bath thermometer to check.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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    • Mix the water well and test it with your elbow. It should feel comfortably warm against your skin, with no hot patches.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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      • Before you start, gather everything\u00a0you\u2019ll\u00a0need and have it\u00a0close at hand. Typically,\u00a0you\u2019ll\u00a0want a soft cloth, a snuggly\u00a0towel\u00a0and any bath products you want to use.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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        • Place a non-slip mat on the floor for you to kneel on while lifting and supporting your baby.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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          • And of course, it\u00a0goes without saying\u00a0that you must never leave your baby unattended in the bath, even for a second.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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            • Build baby\u2019s water confidence in the bath. Once your baby is in the bath, you can start using some techniques that will help them grow in confidence and feel safe and secure in the water.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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              • Gently massaging their legs and arms is\u00a0a great way\u00a0to help keep your little one relaxed.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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                • Have some baby-friendly toys on hand to play with in the water. From colourful pouring cups to toys that light up or make a sound, toys can provide a good distraction and help your baby create positive and happy associations with being in the water.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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                  • Lightly splash the water with your hand to get baby used to the noise and sensation of splashing. You can build up the intensity of the splashing as your baby gets accustomed to it.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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                    • Introduce gentle face-wetting.\u00a0<\/span>If babies get used to this sensation early on in\u00a0life\u00a0they are far less likely to develop an aversion to it\u00a0later on.\u00a0Begin by gently tricking water over the back of your baby\u2019s head, then gradually let the water come\u00a0further forward so that it runs\u00a0down\u00a0the sides of their face and near their ears. Watch your baby\u2019s reactions carefully to see how they react to this. If they seem comfortable you can let the water run\u00a0gently over their\u00a0face.\u00a0<\/span>If at any time your baby seems uncomfortable with the\u00a0sensation\u00a0then move the water further back again.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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                      • Throughout bath time,\u00a0maintain\u00a0eye contact with your baby and keep reassuring them with words and songs \u2013 they will be comforted by your voice.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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                        • Watch their cues, and if their reaction to anything\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0doing is to cry or fuss,\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0worry. Simply pause, give them a\u00a0cuddle\u00a0and try again next bath time.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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                          • Bath time = bonding time. If\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0able to get into the water with your baby, sharing a bath provides a wonderful skin-to-skin bonding experience.\u00a0Here\u2019s\u00a0how to do it safely and comfortably while helping your baby get used to being in the water:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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                            • Sit in the bath with your knees up, holding your baby close and facing you.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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                              • Lay them on their back against your legs and gently splash their tummy, letting them get used to the temperature and sensation of the water.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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                                • You can also lie back and pop baby on your chest with their body submerged so they can feel the water over their whole body \u2013 this can also help keep them warmer for longer.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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                                  • Once you start your baby swimming lessons,\u00a0you\u2019ll\u00a0also be able to use these precious bath times to practice some of the floating holds\u00a0you\u2019ll\u00a0learn at your Turtle Tots baby swimming lessons!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                    What to expect in your first swimming lesson<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

                                    If\u00a0you\u2019ve\u00a0never attended a baby swim\u00a0lesson\u00a0before, it can be helpful to give yourself an idea of what to expect once\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0both in the pool.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

                                    At a Turtle Tots Baby Swimming\u00a0lesson, you (or another adult) will go into the water with your baby. Our specialist teachers will guide you as you learn supportive holds, safe entries to the water, gentle floating and water-confidence skills \u2013 all set to songs and games to keep it fun!\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

                                    Typical ratios in our classes are up to 10\u00a0adult-and-child pairs per teacher.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

                                    Want to see a lesson in action? Check on this video to see what a typical Turtle Tots baby swimming lesson looks like.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n