Flutterbabies offers a nurturing child-centred approach to introducing your baby to the joys of swimming. Our carefully structured courses promote safe practice and water confidence, but above all provide a positive, fun environment for babies to develop their natural affinity with water.
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Baby Swimming
Almost all Mums and Dads want their child to swim. After all, it’s not only one of life’s essential skills; it’s also healthy and brilliant fun too. Reintroducing your baby to the water at a young age makes perfect sense – after all, your little one was surrounded by water in the womb for nine months. Who better to help your baby to learn to swim that then people he trusts the most? Parents are a baby’s best teachers, both on land and In water, and baby’s love to imitate and copy their parents. You will be taking a very active part in baby’s learning through touch – supporting baby with your hands - and also floating, submerging and encouraging baby. All sessions are interactive with parent, baby and instructor all in the pool together.
Learning will occur at the baby’s pace when he is receptive, relaxed and ready so it does take patience, practice and time from you. There is no need to rush or force your baby to perform as all babies learn at different rates and do sometimes plateau. Within each lesson all activities have a specific teaching aim which we make fun through a series of songs, games and activities appealing to a baby’s natural sense of curiosity and play.
Learning will occur at the baby’s pace when he is receptive, relaxed and ready so it does take patience, practice and time from you. There is no need to rush or force your baby to perform as all babies learn at different rates and do sometimes plateau. Within each lesson all activities have a specific teaching aim which we make fun through a series of songs, games and activities appealing to a baby’s natural sense of curiosity and play.
Why should I do baby swimming?
Benefits of baby swimming
Baby swimming encourages the development of a newborn baby’s natural swimming reflex in water – if these early reflexes are not strengthened by regular stimulation they will disappear in most babies after 5 or 6 months. However, when babies are introduced to water before this age then through regular and repeated instruction,
your baby can be taught to use their arms and legs. Common benefits include:
Sustains and builds these reflexes which then leads to the natural development of voluntary arm and leg movements (swimming!).
It is the only real activity where babies are completely independent, especially before they can walk or crawl unaided.
Provides a complete physical workout strengthening your baby’s heart, lungs and respiratory system which also aids development of the brain.
Often improves eating and sleeping patterns.
Helps baby to learn to respond to commands which can make your baby sharper mentally, increasing levels of awareness and understanding.
Although infant aquatics cannot guarantee to safeguard against drowning, baby swimming does provide a foundation for water safety skills. In the event of a water emergency a child who is confident and relaxed in the water is more likely to remain calm and proactively implement the techniques that they have developed.
your baby can be taught to use their arms and legs. Common benefits include:
Sustains and builds these reflexes which then leads to the natural development of voluntary arm and leg movements (swimming!).
It is the only real activity where babies are completely independent, especially before they can walk or crawl unaided.
Provides a complete physical workout strengthening your baby’s heart, lungs and respiratory system which also aids development of the brain.
Often improves eating and sleeping patterns.
Helps baby to learn to respond to commands which can make your baby sharper mentally, increasing levels of awareness and understanding.
Although infant aquatics cannot guarantee to safeguard against drowning, baby swimming does provide a foundation for water safety skills. In the event of a water emergency a child who is confident and relaxed in the water is more likely to remain calm and proactively implement the techniques that they have developed.
Courses & prices
NCT Classes:
If you are a member of an NCT class and would like to enquire about a private course for you and your fellow NCT members -
Enquire
FAQs
Does baby need to have any vaccinations before swimming?
The current directive from the Department of Health is “your baby does not need any immunisations before they go swimming” (www.immunisation.org.uk), but if you are in any doubt then please ask your GP or health visitor for advice. If you are starting your baby off swimming when very young, then ensure baby’s cord has healed before taking him into the water.
At what age can my baby or toddler start lessons?
Babies can start swimming from birth.
How soon will my baby learn to swim?
We will not be teaching your baby to swim as they are far too young for that. The emphasis will be
on making your baby relaxed and comfortable in the water and on making sure baby can turn onto
his/her back and hold onto the side of the pool. Until their second year babies lack the strength and
control to surface for a breath on their own.
Will my baby be submerged?
Only if baby wants to and is ready to be submerged will I allow a full submersion. Structured
submersions are carefully supervised and are only ever for a few seconds at a time. Most babies
enjoy the freedom of going underwater, particularly if they are having fun with you in sight and don’t
forget how much they learn by imitation. Also, the number of submersions we do each session are
restricted.
Is it safe for my baby to be submerged?
Absolutely. When a baby under 6 months goes underwater their ‘gag reflex’ kicks in – the epiglottis
closes over and blocks the trachea so that no water can get through. With older babies we have to
teach them breath-holding.
What if my baby is ill?
If you or your baby have any of the following then please do not bring them to the pool and avoid
swimming until it has completely cleared:
The current directive from the Department of Health is “your baby does not need any immunisations before they go swimming” (www.immunisation.org.uk), but if you are in any doubt then please ask your GP or health visitor for advice. If you are starting your baby off swimming when very young, then ensure baby’s cord has healed before taking him into the water.
At what age can my baby or toddler start lessons?
Babies can start swimming from birth.
How soon will my baby learn to swim?
We will not be teaching your baby to swim as they are far too young for that. The emphasis will be
on making your baby relaxed and comfortable in the water and on making sure baby can turn onto
his/her back and hold onto the side of the pool. Until their second year babies lack the strength and
control to surface for a breath on their own.
Will my baby be submerged?
Only if baby wants to and is ready to be submerged will I allow a full submersion. Structured
submersions are carefully supervised and are only ever for a few seconds at a time. Most babies
enjoy the freedom of going underwater, particularly if they are having fun with you in sight and don’t
forget how much they learn by imitation. Also, the number of submersions we do each session are
restricted.
Is it safe for my baby to be submerged?
Absolutely. When a baby under 6 months goes underwater their ‘gag reflex’ kicks in – the epiglottis
closes over and blocks the trachea so that no water can get through. With older babies we have to
teach them breath-
What if my baby is ill?
If you or your baby have any of the following then please do not bring them to the pool and avoid
swimming until it has completely cleared:
