What Age Your Child Should Start a Baby Swim Program and How to Choose the Best One

While many think the learn-to-swim process for babies begins from their first formal swimming lesson, it actually starts at home in the bathtub or shower.  

In these settings, loving parents or carers can introduce their baby to the water in a relaxed, controlled and secure environment. These early experiences in the bath should be designed to stimulate the baby’s senses, introduce them to the floating sensation and prepare them for their first underwater experience. Parents must never leave their baby unattended in the bath and must always stay within arm’s reach. 

While babies can benefit from exposure to water in the bath or shower, it is important to recognise that these environments are not the same as a swimming pool or other bodies of water. As babies grow and become more mobile, they will need to learn new skills and adapt to new environments in order to swim safely. 

Swimming lessons for babies typically begin with simple activities such as blowing bubbles and floating, but over time, they will learn more advanced skills such as kicking, arm strokes and breath control. 

With expert guidance from one of Pymble Swimming’s qualified instructors, babies can gradually transition from the controlled environment of a bath or shower to the more challenging environment of a swimming pool, allowing them to develop the skills they need to be safe and comfortable in the water. 

When to start a baby swim program

At four months of age, babies have good neck control, are becoming interested in new surrounds and the parent is more relaxed interacting with their baby.  

However, experience has shown that six months of age is the ideal time to introduce your baby to the pool for formal learn-to-swim lessons with a focus on comfort and safety.  

Things to look for when choosing a swim school

When introducing your baby to the pool it is important that the environment is safe and appropriate for young babies.  

The best swim schools, such as Pymble, have: 

• Warm water heated between 31 and 33 degrees Celsius.
• Warm air surrounding the pool deck and enclosure, also between 31 and 33 degrees Celsius.
• State-of-the-art filtration systems enabling clean, safe water and well-maintained facilities.
• Industry-qualified pre-school swimming teachers with Swim Australia accreditation.
• Proof of being an accredited swim school from Swim Australia.
• Ease of safe access into the facility.

Why is teaching your baby water independence so important?

We encourage parents to wear a loose fitted t-shirt in the pool during our baby classes as this gives your baby something to grip and hold on to. This is very important for encouraging independence in your baby. Even from a very early age we can encourage baby to grip and hold on. By maintaining the baby’s natural grasp reflex, this can build their independence and self-confidence. Independence and grabbing and holding the edge of the pool may one day save your baby’s life. 

If you are looking for a safe and effective to introduce your baby to the joys of swimming, look no further than Pymble Swimming. Our experienced instructors are trained to work with babies and young children, and our programs are designed to promote water safety, confidence and fun in small class sizes that ensures each child received individual attention and support. 

So why wait? Contact us today by email swimming@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au or call 9855 7460 to learn more about how we can help your baby learn to swim and develop a lifelong love of water.