When can I start to take my baby swimming, what are the benefits and what are the essentials for their first swim kit?
Baby’s first year is crucial in terms of their physical development and gaining new experiences, making it the perfect time to introduce swimming classes – and it is safe to do so from birth.*
It’s widely acknowledged that baby swimming provides a host of benefits; it is proven to aid mental as well as cognitive development skills and encourages strength and coordination. This is because swimming exercises more muscles, and time in the pool strengthens arm, leg and neck muscles. It is great for tiny lungs and cardiovascular fitness, making little ones stronger because they are constantly working against the resistance of the water.
The swimming lesson environment promotes social skills and learning, and it is an ideal opportunity for bonding - especially for dads. Out of the water, swimming is known to encourage sleep, but crucially it gives your baby life-long water confidence and essential life skills that cannot be underestimated.
That said, having the right swim kit is as equally important as when you first introduce your baby to the pool, so what essentials should you pack in your baby’s swim bag?
A reliable swim nappy that contains any unwelcome leaks of solids is key! Keeping pool water clean is paramount for baby swim-schools who insist on a double layer of nappy protection. Many parents choose a disposable with a neoprene outer nappy, to prevent faecal leaks. However technical advances in swim nappy fabric have led to recent changes.
Splash About’s reusable Happy Nappy DUO not only prevents leaks of solids, the inclusion of a Silver Lining also means it is the first swim nappy scientifically proven to destroy faecal bacteria, which once in the pool is responsible for nasty tummy bugs.
The Happy Nappy DUO is so effective that it’s approved by baby swim schools as the gold-standard in leak prevention, for the first time without a disposable underneath, and this is also having a positive effect on the environment…
Disposables are one of the biggest global contributors to single-use plastic with at least 200,000 disposable swim nappies thrown away every week in the UK where they can take up to 500 years to decompose in landfill. Increasing numbers of parents are more aware of their damaging effect on the planet and are ditching disposables in favour of our reusable swim nappy.
Although protection is essential, swim-time must be fun-time! Often tears are misinterpreted as a dislike of water, yet 99% of babies cry because they are cold, even in warm water, this is because young babies are not as active in the water, so it’s worth investing in a wetsuit.
Forget any preconceptions, today’s fabrics and designs are all aimed at keeping your baby warmer and happier in the water for longer.
Made from supple neoprene and designed to maintain core warmth Splash About’s BabyWrap mini wetsuit opens flat making it much easier to dress a wriggling tot.
For tiny babies or ones that are more susceptible to cold, our fleece lined Warm-in-One will keep the chills at bay – this is also a great choice for babies with sensitive skin or eczema as it will ensure any barrier creams stay in place and don’t absorb into the fabric of the wetsuit. And finally, the Happy Nappy Wetsuit is a practical 2-in-1 starter suit – a wetsuit with an integrated swim nappy!
Many swim classes use toys to help babies learn – and they can also be a helpful distraction in the water, so here’s my pick of what to take to the pool.
Bright colours and a soft, tactile texture are a good starting point so that they won’t slip out-of-reach in water and choose a character or shape that little fingers can easily grasp, grab and safely chew!
Babies explore by putting everything in their mouths so it’s important that their water toys are made from natural materials and are free from toxins.
Splash About’s Pufferfish are dyed using a food grade paint and they are purposefully designed without an air hole – this is quite unique for water toys – but importantly it means that no water can enter the toy and create an unhealthy build-up of black mould. Our Pufferfish also have nodules and fins will also relieve sore gums for teething babies – and they double up as a great bath toy at home too!
Whenever you start baby swimming, ensure it’s right for both of you and investing in the right swim essentials will make for a stress-free time in the pool!
Happy splashing!
*Always check with your GP or health practitioner first if you have any concerns
If you’re trying to conceive (TTC), you probably know that there are certain foods and nutrients that become especially important once you’re pregnant. But nutrition plays a vital role even when trying to conceive, much like laying a strong foundation before constructing a house.
Certain nutrients create that foundation by supporting egg and sperm health (yes, nutrition matters for both partners), hormone balance and creating a hospitable environment for a fertilized egg to implant. In fact, studies show that certain nutrients can help increase fertility and improve success rates for both natural conception and fertility treatments.
In other words, nutrition is a key player in the TTC journey, but getting the right nutrients in the right quantities can be tricky. That’s where supplements come in. Just as you’d take a multivitamin to fill in nutritional gaps for optimal health, fertility supplements can give you that extra nutrient boost.
Choosing supplements for your fertility journey
When choosing a supplement to support your fertility journey, look for science-backed, high-quality ingredients. Our editors are careful to select and partner with brands that use ingredients that have been clinically studied to support fertility. Eu Natural® (pronounced you) covers all those bases and more. We love knowing that Eu Natural® products contain zero artificial additives, binders, or fillers and are lab-tested to ensure purity and potency.
When choosing a supplement to support your fertility journey, look for science-backed, high-quality ingredients. Our editors are careful to select and partner with brands that use ingredients that have been clinically studied to support fertility. Eu Natural® (pronounced you) covers all those bases and more. We love knowing that Eu Natural® products contain zero artificial additives, binders, or fillers and are lab-tested to ensure purity and potency.
Bernadette Spofforth (mum of 3) is CEO of Splash About which designs and develops some of the most advanced safety swimwear, flotation aids, toys and accessories for babies and children available on the market today.
