Our Top-Tips to Help Get Ready for Your Baby’s First Swim Lesson
Taking your little one to their first swim lesson is an exciting milestone! At Water Babies, we understand you may feel a mix of excitement and nerves, especially if it’s your baby’s first time in the pool. To help you feel prepared and confident, we’ve put together some top-tips on how to get ready for your baby’s first swimming lesson. From what to pack to best tips for getting changed before and after swimming, we’ve got you covered.
1. Getting your baby used to the water
There are lots of things you can do to get your little one familiar with water a few weeks before you start swimming with us. On our YouTube channel, you’ll find practical videos demonstrating key water skills, which you can start practicing with your little one right away, whether you’re learning in the sink, bath or pool! We recommend starting with some basics yet helpful exercises, such as practicing “Name, are you ready, go” or “Kicking your legs”. Click here to view the complete Water Babies Learn section on YouTube.
Making bath extra fun to enforce positive associations with water can be really beneficial when getting your little one ready for their first swim lesson. Songs play a key role during Water Babies lessons, encouraging movement and creating an atmosphere of learning through play. We find songs help engage little ones and feel at ease in the water, while making lessons even more fun and enjoyable! You’ll learn lots of new exciting songs in lessons, but in the meantime, any nursery rhyme or their favourite music will work!
2. Visiting in advance a swimming venue
If possible, visiting the venue a week or two before your baby’s first swim lesson is a great way to help you and your little one feel more comfortable and prepared. By familiarising yourself with the layout, changing facilities, and pool area, you’ll know exactly what to expect on the day of the lesson. This advance visit can also reduce any first-day jitters, allowing you to focus on enjoying the experience with your baby. Plus, your baby will benefit from gently getting used to the new environment, the sights, sounds and smells, making the first swim lesson feel more familiar and less overwhelming.
If your lessons are at a private location, this might not be possible. But not to worry! Visiting your local leisure centre is still a great way to introduce your little one to the pool environment, and help you to feel prepared ahead of your lesson.
Check your emails before your lesson as well, as your booking on information will include parking options, door codes etc. ahead of time, so you can be totally prepared for your first lesson.
Some Water Babies offices also offer ‘Meet and greets’ to new members for their first lesson, which allow you to receive personalised advice on the gear you’ll need, such as finding the right size for your Happy Nappy or exploring best baby wetsuits options, ensuring you have everything ready for a smooth and enjoyable first swimming lesson.
3. Set-up your ‘My Water Babies’
Also, another way to feel prepared is creating your ‘My Water Babies’ account, a personalised portal which contains a digital experience of your swimming journey with us. You’ll be able to see when your first lesson is and holiday dates, see what Water Babies Treasures you’ll be collecting in lessons, and what skills you’ll be progressing towards in your Swimvincible Team. You’ll be able to fully immersive yourself into your Water Babies journey, at the click of a button.
If you haven’t created an account yet, not to worry! Just click here to get started.
4. Packing for your baby’s swimming lessons
On the big day, you’ll want to make sure you have everything you need before heading to the pool. To help you and your little one getting ready, here’s a checklist of essentials to pack for your first baby swimming lesson:
4.2 Swim Nappy: All water babies must conform with the Double Layer Nappy System, which means an extra swim nappy underneath their Happy Nappy or Jammers. You can check out some reusable options here or, if you prefer, just opt for a Happy Nappy DUO or Jammers DUO, a 2-in-1 swim nappy which comes with the under layer already built-in, so you won’t need anything else.
4.3 Nappy Liners: These are completely optional, but adding some cloth or Biodegradable Nappy Liners to your swim nappy combo can make changing and cleaning much easier! Otherwise, you may consider bringing a spare swim nappy in your bag, just in case you need to change your little one during their lesson. You’ll also need some wipes and a dry nappy to change your little one after swimming.
4.4 Baby Wetsuit: We always make sure you’re in the right temperature pool for your little one, but each baby feels the cold differently, so you might want to add a baby wetsuit to keep your little one warm for longer. We recommend starting with the Baby Wrap to keep the core body warm, which is the easiest wetsuit in our range to put on! Otherwise, the fleece-lined Warm in One is a great option as a full-body baby wetsuit, including long arms and legs. And if you prefer a baby wetsuit with the Happy Nappy already built-in for extra convenience, then browse our Happy Nappy Wetsuit range.
4.5 Towels: A soft, absorbent towel is essential for drying your baby (and you) after the swim. Changing rooms can be quite chilly, especially for little babies, so make sure you can wrap your little one up snugly and securely in a towel as soon as they're out of the pool. Hooded towels are especially convenient, minimizing fuss and making the transition from pool to changing area smoother.
You can bring any towels you already have, but if you’re looking for a new addition, our Bubba the Whale Baby Towel is a great option, as it includes embroidered spaces for your swim badges, turning it into the perfect keepsake!
4.6 Changing Mat: A portable changing mat will give you a clean and safe surface to change your baby. Here you can find our Bubba the Whale Waterproof Changing Mat, especially designed for swimming lessons. Made of neoprene, they’re flexible, easy to fold, and slip proof. Waterproof changing mats are also ideal to take to poolside when practicing your safe entry and exit from the pool, offering a nice and dry padded surface to lay your baby on.
4.7 Your Own Swim Gear: Don’t forget to pack your own swimwear and a towel for yourself. Some carers prefer to put on their swimming costume at home and wear it under their clothes to save time and hassle. Just don’t forget to take underwear for when getting changed after your swim! Throwing a spare pair of socks can also come quite handy, just in case they get wet.
4.8 Goggles: Babies don’t need swim goggles, but if you don’t want to miss a single bit of your little one’s swimming journey, you definitely will! You’re welcome to bring your own pair or, if you don’t have any, we have different options available which you can purchase from your local office or here on our online store. Never borrow swim goggles from someone else, as there’s a risk of eye infections such as conjunctivitis!
4.9 Swim Cap: While not always necessary for babies, if your little one is comfortable wearing them, it can be a good habit to add a baby swimming hat to their swim gear. There’s a wide range of designs available here on our online store. A warm hat for after swimming can also come quite handy, especially during the winter months, since little heads get cold easily.
4.10 Snacks & Water: Swimming is great for building an appetite, so pack a light snack and a drink for after the lesson. This can be bottled milk or, for babies over 6 months, something easy to eat on the way home, like rice cakes, cereal bars or some fruit.
4.11 Spare change or padlock for the lockers: Some venues provide with lockers in the changing rooms, which might require a coin or your own padlock to operate. If you wish to put your bag in the locker during your swimming lesson, don’t forget to check which type of lock is in place so you can be prepared.
We hope you found this blog useful, and we can’t wait to see you in the pool soon!