KONFIDENCE’S TOP 5 TIPS

FOR PREPARING YOU & YOUR LITTLE ONE TO TAKE THE PLUNGE

The benefits of baby swimming are now well documented, but taking your little one to the pool for the first time can still be a nerve racking experience for many parents. Research suggests that the most popular time of year is Autumn for parents to take their babies swimming for the first time or to enrol them into swimming classes, so to ensure you and your baby are prepared and have the right protective clothing here are Konfidence’s Top 5 tips:

1. To help your little one get used to the water and build confidence, start by having a splash in the bath at home together. Sing songs, gently splash water on their tummy and head and keep them moving around the water – making sure to give them loads of praise and cuddles to help keep them relaxed. Introduce a bath toy to make it fun and take this same toy along with you to the swimming pool for familiarisation and comfort.

2. The next stage is to enrol into a specialist baby swimming class – see www.sta.co.uk or contact your local pool for further information. Also check out the pool facilities of your chosen venue - any swimming pool you choose should ideally be of the right depth and have good clean changing facilities.

3. Choosing the right baby swimwear is also essential to ensure your baby is comfortable, happy, secure and warm in the water. There a few key items that your baby will need to go swimming, and these include:

• Neoprene Baby Wetsuit. Even in heated pools, babies can get cold very quickly so a wetsuit made of a soft neoprene fabric is an essential item. The wetsuit will fit snugly around your baby’s body creating a warm, loving hug, leaving the arms and legs free to have a splashing good time. Ultimately it makes them feel safe and secure, and helps them to stay warmer in the swimming pool for much longer - keeping you and your little one much happier.  The neoprene fabric also helps you keep a firmer grip on your baby in and out of the pool. Recommended by many leading baby swim schools is Konfidence’s Babywarma® Wetsuit, which comes in a range of sizes and colours for ages 0-24 months. The wrap around design gives you the flexibility to adjust the suit in or out and create a comfortable snug fit every time. It also opens flat to allow quick and easy nappy changes.

• Swim Nappy - a double layer nappy system is now mandatory at many public swimming pools. Konfidence offers a range of adjustable and reusable Aquanappies that fit from 3 to 30 months approx. These can be used with the Konfidence Nappicovas™, a soft neoprene covering which goes over the swim nappy for double protection. 

• Chlorine resistant non-slip changing mat. Changing babies at public pools is never the easiest of tasks, so make sure you take along a baby changer to help solve the problem. Konfidence’s chlorine resistant neoprene changing mat provides a soft comfortable surface that's hygienically clean for your baby to lie on at the pool side (or when you’re on the go), and the grip on the reverse means the mats won't slip or slide on wet surfaces.

• Other items you might want to consider are Paddler™ pool socks to prevent toddlers slipping on the poolside and an AquaBand™ for little ones who do not like getting water in their ears – they also help to prevent ear infections.

• The final must-have item is a Poncho Towel for when you come out of the pool. This will help keep your little one warm and snug whilst you get their clothes ready.

4. Once you have prepared your little one at home in the bath, chosen your preferred swimming pool and have all the right swimwear, it’s time to go to the swimming pool. To ensure you are fully prepared:

• Try a dry run – ideally attend a lesson poolside before you take the plunge. If the pool does not have poolside seating, ask the teacher if you can stand poolside with your baby during a lesson. This will allow your baby to acclimatise to the noises, songs and environment of the pool hall during a lesson, and become comfortable. It will also allow you to understand what to expect and how the lesson is organised. Don’t forget it’s a big adventure for both of you.

• If you’re going alone, i.e. not to a lesson, go during off peak times when there will be less people in the pool.

• Prepare your pack the night before with everything you need, including a light snack and drink for older babies on solids – little ones tend to be very hungry and thirsty after a session in the pool!

• Wear your swimming costume underneath your clothes – this will save you the hassle of changing when you get to the pool.

5. Once you are at poolside, your baby swimming teacher will guide you through everything you need to know. If you are going alone keep swimming times short (15 minutes may be long enough the first time), stay relaxed and focus on your baby at all times. Play gentle games like you did in the bath, blow bubbles, sing songs, move them gently around so they feel the sensation of the water, and gently splash water over their tummy and head.

And finally, enjoy the bonding experience.

Konfidence is the UK’s leading designer of premium protective swimwear for babies, infants and children. Visit www.konfidence.co.uk to see Konfidence’s full collection of baby swimming products, pool buoyancy aids, including the best selling ‘Original Konfidence Jacket’, and UVPF sun protection clothing and wetsuits for children up to the age of 14 years.