Wondering what happens in a Nemo Swimming class? Come & try a class on us and see for yourself!

Baby swimming classes

Nemo Babies (0-18 months)

There's a good reason - many, in fact - why our customers say that our baby swimming classes are the BEST thing that they have done with their maternity leave. From strengthening your baby's heart & lungs to promoting their immune system, teaching lifesaving skills to providing opportunities to meet other new parents, parent-baby bonding to improved eating & sleeping habits... the benefits of baby swimming classes really are endless!

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Expecting?

Baby not quite here yet? Why not check out the fab pre-natal swim sessions offered by our friends at PaddlePod

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Over 16 months?

If your little Nemo is 16 months or older, click below to take a look at our toddler swimming classes 

Nemo Babies in action

"For anybody thinking of booking baby swimming lessons with Nemo Swimming... DO IT! Without doubt, the best thing I did with my maternity leave"

When & where are our baby swimming classes?

If your baby is close to the end or the beginning of one of the age ranges below, please use the following guide to help you decide which baby swimming classes are most suitable.

Nemo Babies (0-9 month) classes
Suitable for children aged 0-12 months. Advised if you are new to baby swimming lessons, for premature or smaller babies, or for grown-ups and children who may be a little anxious in the water.

Nemo Babies (9-18 months) classes
Can be booked for babies who are aged 6-16 months. They are perfect for grown-ups who have attended baby swimming classes previously.

0-9 months

Use the links to view all available spaces for Nemo Babies (0-9 months) classes in:

Or, to view details of when and where classes take place, please see below

9-18 months

Use the links to view all available spaces for Nemo Babies (9-18 months) classes in:

Or, to view details of when and where classes take place, please see below

We try our best to ensure that the information on this page is kept up-to-date and accurate at all times and we do review it regularly (last review 7th December 2023). Please note, however, that our timetables are subject to change. Bookings for our classes are made via DoDays. DoDays will only show classes with spaces available to book. If no classes are visible when you click on the links above, this means that classes on the day you have selected are full - please search for a different day or venue instead.

A mum and baby enjoy a cuddle in the swimming pool

What happens in a Nemo Babies class?

Our baby swimming classes are delivered as small group sessions with instructors who teach in the water alongside you. Our sessions are baby-led and see us use loads of songs, games and fun activities to teach important water safety skills. More importantly, though, these baby swimming classes provide a fantastic opportunity for parent-baby bonding.

Benefits of baby swimming

Lots of skin-to-skin contact for parent-baby bonding

Promotes better eating and sleeping habits

Develops coordination and balance

Provides a complete workout, strengthening baby's hearts and lungs

Stimulates all five of baby's senses - fantastic for brain development

A young baby chews on a green ring toy while in the swimming pool

"We love our baby swimming classes - definitely the highlight of our week! We've made some lovely new mummy and baby friends, and my little boy enjoys it so much"

Baby swimming FAQs

Whenever YOU are ready!

We welcome children from birth into our baby swimming lessons. Some parents prefer to wait until they are a little older, and this is fine too! What's really important is that you feel ready.

Whenever you are ready to join, you'll be placed into a class with babies of a similar age. The activities are adapted to suit the developmental milestones of each swimmer, and we take into account the things that they may be working towards outside the pool at different points in their development.

You can take your baby swimming before they have had their vaccinations, and it is perfectly safe to do this. 

It is normal for some babies to experience mild side effects after their vaccinations. These side effects should not usually prevent them from coming swimming. Do bear in mind, though, if they are feverish or irritable, they may not enjoy their baby swimming class as much as normal.

If you're unsure. please check with your healthcare provider.

All babies will need to wear a double nappy when attending baby swimming lessons. 

There are two parts to this:

  1. A swim nappy, which looks just like a 'normal' nappy. It is, however, designed to not leak or expand in the water. 
  2. A neoprene nappy cover, which sits over the top of the swim nappy. This should be snug around your baby's tummy and legs, and helps to prevent any accidents from leaking into the pool.

You can pick up swim nappies at your local supermarket or chemist. For neoprene nappy covers, we highly recommend the Splash About Happy Nappy - and you can pick these up at many of our baby swimming venues.

You can, if you wish, add a swimming costume or swimming vest over the top of the double nappy. This is optional - the only bit that we insist on is the double nappy itself.

You'll need a towel and a costume for yourself, and a towel and double nappy for your little one. Everything else that you will need during your baby swimming lesson is provided for you.

Check out our handy guide below which contains lots of useful advice on things that you might want to bring with you for before or after your lesson.

>> Things to pack in your swimming bag

Yes. Each baby will need to be accompanied by one grown-up during their swimming lesson. You will be in the water with your child until they are around three years old.

We can only allow one adult per baby in the water during a baby swimming lesson. You are, however, welcome to alternate who brings your little one each week. All of our venues have viewing areas where partners, grandparents and so on can watch, too.

They are - but they are completely optional!

We include submersions as part of our baby swimming lessons as they are an important water safety skill to learn. For grown-ups - or babies - who don't feel ready or would prefer not to submerge, alternatives are always available.

Our baby swimming lessons are paid for via a monthly subscription. Please contact your local Nemo Swimming provider for more information.

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