Swimming is a fabulous activity that babies can enjoy from birth onwards. You'll be amazed at how quickly they become little water babies. With the added bonus that they usually have a lovely long nap afterwards from all the exercise. Take a look at below for local pools, classes and when it is best to get babies first swim in!
Health Clubs
There are some great clubs locally with baby pools which are great for baby's first swim. They also all offer baby swimming lessons too. These are usually small groups, you will be in the pool with your baby and involve lots of games to get babies water confident.
Harbour Club Chelsea: Members club close to Chelsea Harbour and Imperial Wharf. Popular for it's included creche it is a more expensive option as they also offer lots of exercise classes, soft play and a great gym and tennis courts. Find out more here.
Virgin Active Fulham: Another large health club with gym and crèche on Lillie Road close to Munster Road. It's baby swimming lessons are also open to non-members. Plus the toddler pool and main pool are also open at weekend for family swimming for non-members too. Get further info here.
David LLoyd: Located in the big shopping centre in Fulham Broadway, offers a full health club including exercise classes, crèche and main and paddling pool. They also offer parent and baby swim classes for members. More info available here.
Fulham Fitness and Wellbeing: Part of the Nuffield chain close to Bishops Park it offers a full gym, crèche and parent and baby swim classes for members. Check out their website here.
Swim Schools
There are also lots of great independent swim schools for babies. Some of them offer extra warm pools which can be popular with everyone.
Fulham Swim School: Offers a small pool for small groups lessons close to Fulham Broadway, find out more here.
Chelsea Swim Spa: Small warm hydropool based in a private house near to Chelsea, offers small group baby and toddler lessons, website for info here.
Water Babies: National swim school offers lessons locally in Fulham and Putney in warm pools, contact them for booking info here.
London Baby Swim: Just south of the river from Wandsworth they also offer lots of lesson times and options in a lovely warm pool contact them here.
Sevenus: A little further afield further west in Chiswick, we've included this school by Laura Sevenus because we hear such amazing things of the small groups lessons and the very low chlorine water. Find out more here.
Swimsuits
Specially designed nappies for baby swimming are essential. These are readily available in supermarkets. It is also well worth getting some special tight fitting swimsuit or pants to go over to make doubly sure of no accidents, HappyNappy is a popular choice.
If you will be in one of the lovely extra warm pools your baby will probably just need their two layers of swim nappy and swim suit. For colder or unheated pools you may wish to invest in more of a wetsuit to help keep your little one warm. Plus perhaps an extra layer for you such as a surfing t shirt.
When, how and is it really a good idea?
It really is fun activity for baby and parents. Lots of parents worry about when is the right age and it really is when you and baby are ready. There is no reason to wait for any particular baby immunisation but usually from 8 weeks onwards is a good time. Keep swim times short, maximum 30 minutes for young babies who can get cold and tired quickly.
Check out our baby development pages for more advice on how to encourage baby's development and signs to watch for.
