Why teach your baby to swim?

This year we are celebrating our 30th year of teaching babies to love the water. We teach babies key water safety techniques that have been proven to help save lives in a fun and nurturing environment through songs, play and word repetition.  Babies are born with an innate dive reflex from birth which is enables them to control their breath underwater for short periods of time.  They start to lose this reflex at about 6 -9 months so it is highly beneficial to try and start your baby's experience in water soon after birth.

As one of the first activities you can do with your new baby, swimming is a great way to help build your baby's heart and lung capacity, develop their cognitive skills and help with food and sleep patterns.  It is also a lovely way of bonding with your new baby having that all important skin to skin contact in the pool and special one to one time where you concentrate on just you and your baby.

Swimming is beneficial to all babies where the warm water and the multi-sensory environment of the pool has a nurturing effect on your baby's natural development.

We aim to teach skills that not only teach your baby how to love the water, but to be confident and respectful of it.

The benefits of taking your baby swimming

Water Safety

Sadly, drowning is the third-biggest cause of accidental death among children under five in the UK. Babies have no inherent fear of water, but they have a natural and instinctual ability to hold their breath when submerged. Learning our basic safety exercises such as kicking to the surface and floating on their backs could potentially one day save your child’s life.

Brain Development

Your baby's brain will grow faster in the first few years of their life than at any other time. Recent research suggests that baby swim classes help with cognitive development where repetitive activities create patterns for memory and learning.

Bonding with your baby

As one of the first activities you can do with your newborn, this is a special time for you to bond with your baby. The progressive format of the classes give plenty of opportunity to praise and encourage your baby building their self confidence. Mothers with post-natal depression find the bonding time and mild exercise very beneficial too. It is also a great environment to meet and bond with other mums.

Health benefits

Water resistance activates and strengthens the muscles, and helps strengthen heart and lungs. Classes can also greatly aid in improving your baby's sleeping patterns. Additionally babies gain improved strength, stamina, and co-ordination. Swimming encourages an active lifestyle from an early age, which can lead to activities later in life.

Social interaction

As well as encouraging your baby's social interaction our classes are also a great opportunity for you to meet new friends.

Vaccinations

Medical research shows that a baby does not need to have had any vaccinations before you take your baby swimming. However, if you have any concerns we do advise that you speak to your G.P. or Health Visitor.

This NHS article may answer any other questions you may have.

http://www.nhs.uk/chq/pages/1035.aspx