When Can Babies Go Swimming?

When can babies go swimming? If you have a newborn, you might be wondering how soon you can take your baby to the pool.

Going for a swim can be relaxing and is also a good form of exercise for both of you. If you enjoyed swimming during pregnancy you might be keen to get back in the water with your baby in tow.

Here’s everything you need to know about baby swimming, from how soon you can start to tips on what to take with you in your baby bag for the pool.

Is Swimming Good For Babies?

There are many reasons why swimming is good for babies. Swimming keeps babies and toddlers active and is recommended by the NHS as a good way of getting your baby moving.*

Swimming, and being confident in water, is an essential life skill that can be helpful for everyone to know, even from a young age.

Being in the pool and swimming together can also be a relaxing and fun way for you and your baby to bond.

Please note that babies will need to be held and monitored the entire time you are in a pool, and should never be left unsupervised in or near water.

*NHS – how to keep your baby and toddler active https://www.nhs.uk/baby/babys-development/play-and-learning/keep-baby-or-toddler-active/

When Can You Take A Baby Swimming?

If you have a newborn, you might be wondering if newborns can swim, or what age you can take a baby swimming. NHS advice is to that you can take your baby swimming from a very young age.*

Newborns and babies will need to be held the entire time you are in the water, so you will also need to consider your own postnatal health and feel comfortable and confident managing your baby in and out of the pool.

Speak to your midwife or health visitor if you need advice about when to take your baby swimming.

*NHS – how to keep your baby and toddler active https://www.nhs.uk/baby/babys-development/play-and-learning/keep-baby-or-toddler-active/

How Soon Can You Swim After Childbirth?

You'll need to wait until at least seven days after your postnatal bleeding has stopped before you get in a swimming pool, and if you’ve had any stitches following your delivery, you will also need to wait for these to heal, to avoid the risk of infection and any further complications. This is likely to be from around six weeks postpartum, which is the time of your NHS six week postnatal check, so a good time to ask your GP for advice.*

Although swimming with your baby is unlikely to be an intensive workout, please note that NHS advice is to wait until after your six-week postnatal check before you start any high-impact exercise. If you had a c-section or more complicated delivery, you may need to wait for longer.

Remember there is no rush when it comes to swimming with your baby. Make sure you feel confident and comfortable first.

*NHS Keeping Fit and Healthy with a Baby: https://www.nhs.uk/baby/support-and-services/keeping-fit-and-healthy-with-a-baby/

How Soon Can You Swim After A C-Section?

If you had a caesarean section, your recovery time will be longer than with a non-complicated vaginal delivery. You’ll need to wait for your c-section scar to heal before you swim, to avoid the risk of infection.

Make sure you talk to your midwife, health visitor or GP before swimming or taking your baby swimming.

How To Introduce Baby To Swimming

A simple way of introducing your baby to swimming is one you’re potentially doing already – by giving them a bath, which gets them used to being in water before you even set foot in a pool.

Taking them in a baby-suitable swimming pool for short periods of time will introduce your baby to swimming and help them to gradually gain confidence in the water.

What Do Babies Wear Swimming?

Check with your local pool first what they require babies to wear swimming, as they might have specific rules.

Swimming nappies are essential for any baby who is not toilet trained, and most pools will request that babies wear a double layer of nappy to protect against leaks and keep the pool as hygienic as possible. This means wearing a swimming nappy (either reusable or disposable) with an additional waterproof swimming layer over the top – these are usually a thick pair of swimming pants, which act as a seal around the baby’s legs and waist.

Babies will also need a swimming costume to wear in the pool. Warmth and coverage is key when it comes to baby swimming costumes so look for a baby-style wetsuit or swim costume that’s lined and covers their arms and legs.

Make sure you have a poncho, dressing gown or hooded towel to hand to wrap them in as soon as possible once they leave the pool, to avoid them getting cold.

Can Babies Swim In A Pool?

Yes, babies can swim in swimming pools that are well maintained and regularly monitored, but you will need to take them to a baby or child pool that’s heated to warmer temperatures than an adult swimming pool, or to a warmer hydrotherapy pool.

When it comes to swimming pool temperatures for babies:

• For a baby aged 0–3 months, the pool should be heated to 32°C (89.6°F).
• For babies 3 to 12 months, the pool should be heated to 30°C (86°F).
• Babies should not go in pools heated above 35°C (95°F).

Please note babies should never go in hot tubs, jacuzzies and saunas.

You will only want to stay in the water for short times, especially at first – limit it to 10 minute sessions. Watch out for signs of your baby being cold, which might not be immediately obvious as babies don’t shiver. For example, check their lips don’t go blue.

How To Teach Your Baby Swimming

You can usually start baby swimming lessons with an instructor from when your baby is around four months old - check with your local pool as this can vary. Baby swimming lessons will consist of fun activities and are based around getting your baby used to the water and they won’t learn strokes or swim lengths at this point.

When To Start Swimming Lessons

If you are looking for specific baby swimming lessons with an instructor, classes usually start for babies from around four months old, depending on your local pool.

While getting your baby used to water from an early age can be beneficial, children won’t be able to swim independently until they are around four or five years old, as swimming requires strength, skills to pick up the strokes and the ability to understand how to keep safe in the water.

If you don’t take your baby swimming, don’t think you’ve left it too late. It’s never to late for anyone - child or adult - to learn to swim.

Can Babies Go Swimming Before Vaccinations?

If you have a newborn, you might be wondering if you need to wait to go swimming until they have had their first set of vaccinations (NHS baby vaccinations start at eight weeks - source: NHS).

According to the NHS, there's no need to wait until they've been vaccinated to take them into a swimming pool.* Please check with your health visitor or doctor first, before taking your baby swimming.

*NHS – how to keep your baby and toddler active https://www.nhs.uk/baby/babys-development/play-and-learning/keep-baby-or-toddler-active/

What To Pack For Baby Swimming Lessons

What to pack for baby swimming lessons – for babies

Here’s what to pack in your swimming bag for the baby:

• Baby swimming costume and swim nappies (pack spares)
• Poncho, dressing gown or hooded towel to wrap them in as soon as possible once they leave the pool
• Your normal disposable or reusable nappy for once they are out of the pool
• Somewhere safe and hygienic to place them while you get dressed – you might want to strap them into the pram, or you could take a waterproof change mat to place them on the floor (make sure they are safe and secure and can’t roll off any surfaces)
• A toy to entertain them while you get changed
• Baby blanket for the pram or bassinet to keep them warm when you get out.

What to pack for baby swimming lessons – for adults

Don’t forget yourself! Here’s what to pack in your swimming bag for you:

• Clothing for yourself and your own towel or towelling dressing gown
• Drink and snack
• Padlock or change for the locker, to secure valuables
• Hair band to tie your hair up.

The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health professional regarding any medical condition. While every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of the information presented in the blog and to describe best generally accepted current practices we cannot accept any liability for errors or omissions or for any consequences from application of the information given.