Swimming with your baby or toddler is many parents favourite activity. There is no set age to start swimming with your baby, but most classes in swimming pools start at around 12 weeks, so this can be used as a good guideline. As your child develops and becomes more independent, simple buoyancy aids will help further develop their skills.

Tips

1. Swim nappies and nappy covers, although not always compulsory in swimming pools; are a good idea.

2. If you are swimming in the sun, make sure you use protective swimwear for your child.

3. As soon as your child starts to shiver in the water, get him out of the pool immediately and wrapped warmly.

4. It is common for young children particularly to react badly to water in their ears, and this can be the cause of ear infections. Simple ear protection will put your child at ease and make swimming more comfortable.

5. Swimming pools in foreign countries will often have excessive use of chlorine. Swim goggles will help protect any irritation of your child’s eyes.

6. If your child has any form of illness, from a cold to a skin complaint do not allow them to enter the water as this may aggravate the symptoms. Check with a local Doctor to make sure it is safe.

Product Recommendations

Bambino Mio Swim Nappy

For young babies the swim nappy is ideal and prevents any need to wear a conventional nappy underneath. Swim nappies can also be worn with nappy covers which provide an eco friendly two layer solution which is mandatory in more and more swimming pools.

KoolSun Wettie UV Suit

These suits not only protect your child from the sun’s harmful rays and provide the equivalent of sun factor 50 protection, but they also have the handy pop open function for nappy change. They are made from light weight material which is quick drying, so ideal for all children from 6 months to two years to wear all day in and out of the water.

Babywarma Wetsuits

The baby wetsuits are suitable for children from 0-6 months and from 6 months – one year. The wetsuits are designed to prevent your baby suffering from the cold temperature of the water. They are also specially made to help parents grip easily, giving extra confidence to both your baby and you.

Zoggs Swim Goggles

With a micro easy adjust headstrap system the zoogs swim goggles will ensure that water does not leak in the side causing irritation to your child’s sensitive eyes. As your child develops their swimming skills, having the confidence to open their eyes under water will further develop their abilities.

Junior Swimming Ear Plugs

Junior swimming ear plugs are uniquely designed to prevent over insertion into your child’s ears. With 100% avoidance of water in the ears your child will be able to practise their new swimming skills without any unnecessary discomfort.

Toddler Flotation Suits

The flotation jackets are Safetots No.1 recommendation if you are taking your child swimming when on holiday. They have been designed to hold your child in a slightly tilted forward swimming position. A series of floats are positioned within the suit which can then be removed one by one as your child grows in confidence. Furthermore the floatation suits are also UV protected to an equivalent of SPF50, providing additional protection against the sun when on holiday.