Baby Nemo swimming classes allow babies to enjoy freedom of movement, relaxation and bonding. We have designed the baby classes to promote safety in the water and focus specifically on the reaction of the child if they ever found themselves in difficulty. Click on the link to see a great video to show what we try to achieve.
How old does my baby have to be to start?
Babies can be introduced to the water from just a few weeks old. The ASA recommend from 4 months upwards. (It is not necessary for them to have completed their course of injections, but we recommend they hsave at least started these)
What if my child is ill?
If your child has an ear, eye or chest infection, then it is best to avoid swimming until this has cleared. For health and safety reasons, we advise that you should not bring your child into the pool, during or for 48 hours after suffering from diarrhoea. If in doubt, always check with a Heath professional.
Please be considerate to other pool users if your child is showing signs of illness. After illness children will feel exhausted and may need some time to recuperate before returning to swimming lessons.
What to expect on the first lesson?
As in any new environment we may encounter tears and hesitation, this all fine and completely normal and will change over the course of the term.
How do we teach?
All our instructors teach in the water, as it helps to guide the parent and baby and provides face-to-face interaction with the baby and parent.
What do I need to bring to class?
- Swimming costumes for yourself and your Baby Nemo.
- We operate a ‘Double Nappy’ system and it is compulsory to wear a Swim Nappy over the top of a regular disposable nappy. You must wear a ‘Splash About’ nappy (available to buy from Nemos) as these are the most reliable swimming nappy. We will not accept alternatives in the classes.
- A towel for you both. Hooded towel for baby, this can be taken to poolside to keep your baby warm as soon as they leave the pool. Please avoid bringing your baby bag to poolside.
- Some milk/water for your baby for after their lesson. We recommend if you feed your baby before this should be done at least 30 minutes prior to the lesson.
- Baby changing mat, often these are already built into changing bags. We provide at some locations.
- Please try and arrive as prepared as possible to start swimming – sometimes the changing facilities can feel a little ‘cosy’ so it may be best for you as a parent to be changed beforehand. As a general rule if you don’t need it, leave it!
