Baby's First Swim

Taking Your Little One Swimming For The First Time Can Be Nerve-wracking. Follow These Tips For A Fun And Safe Experience In The Pool With Your Baby

- Licia Selepe

Swimming isn’t only fun – it’s also a great bonding activity for you and your baby. Your little one is able to move without the restriction of gravity, which helps improve his co-ordination, balance and gross motor skills. Making your baby feel comfortable in the water is also advisable from a safety perspective, as it’s the best defence against drowning. Babies spend months in water while they’re in the womb, so it’s a natural sensation for them. Teaching your baby to float is one of the best favours you can do him, as – like riding a bicycle – it’s a skill he’ll never forget.

‘It’s never too early to enrol your child for swimming lessons. From the age of six months, he can start learning how to swim,’ says Super Star Swim School owner and swimming teacher Nicki Riley.

She suggests you follow these steps for a successful first swim:

STEP 1: DO YOUR RESEARCH

You should ideally find a child-friendly environment when you start, but there are other factors to consider too. Nicki says it’s important that parents look for a reputable swimming school and a teacher who’s qualified through the Professional Baby Swimming Teacher Association or Toddler Swim South Africa.