Baby Swimming Lessons
Our baby swimming lessons for children aged 0 – 14 months are perfect for introducing your little ones to swimming and beginning a lifelong love of the water.
Building Foundations That Last a Lifetime
Water is a natural environment for babies. Joining Turtle Tots baby swimming lessons from a young age encourages familiarisation with water and helps little ones to develop early instinctive responses and lifesaving skills with the support of our highly trained and experienced teachers.
For parents, spending precious time teaching their newborn or young baby to swim is a unforgettable bonding experience, the benefits of which will last a lifetime.
The foundations of our award-winning, child-led swimming programme is communication. All our Turtle Tots teachers are trained to understand every baby’s non-verbal signals and body language. Each lesson introduces age and stage appropriate activities to support every child’s physical, social and emotional development and wellbeing.
Every baby has their own unique personality and we tailor every activity to suit them based on what they tell us they like and dislike. Most of our baby swimming programme takes place above the water with an emphasis on fun! Our lessons do include natural submersion but only when their child is ready.
We use lots of easy to learn songs and games in our lessons to ensure that you and your little one enjoy your time in the pool together.
But the benefits don’t stop there. Life-long friendships are often forged at children’s activity classes. Baby swimming lessons with Turtle Tots give you the opportunity to meet like-minded parents and carers, share your experiences and enjoy time together away from the pool.
Benefits of baby swimming
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of baby swimming lessons?
Baby swimming offers many benefits for both you and your baby. Our lessons support your child’s physical, social and emotional development, as well as giving your child the opportunity to develop their language skills. The Turtle Tots swimming programme fundamentally teaches vital life-saving and water safety skills, something that will support your child’s confidence in the water throughout their entire lives. Baby swimming lessons also encourage bonding and attachment, giving parents the chance to spend quality time with their little ones cuddling, playing and learning together.
What do I need to bring to baby swimming lessons?
All Turtle Tots babies and toddlers must wear a double nappy system until they are fully toilet trained. A well fitted neoprene Happy Nappy should be worn over a swim nappy. We have some fantastic reusable options available in our shop. Alternatively, you can purchase disposables from any good baby retailer.
If your little one feels the cold, or you are planning on swimming in cooler pools between lessons, you can purchase a baby wetsuit.
Also, don’t forget your own swimming costume, towels and a warm snuggly outfit for your baby after the lessons.
When is the best time to start baby swimming?
Babies can start swimming lessons with Turtle Tots from birth. Our lessons for little ones take place in lovely warm pools in locations across the UK. However, new mums may need to wait a little while until their bodies have fully recovered so if you would like to start your baby swimming journey as soon as possible, other family members may need to hop in the pool with little one initially.
More information about Baby Swimming
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When can babies go swimming?
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The Therapeutic Power of Parent and Baby Swim Time for Mental Wellbeing
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Time to DITCH THE DISPOSABLE
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MyBump2Baby Podcast
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Top ten tips for staying safe near the water this summer
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Top 10 questions about baby swimming
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Lily sets her sights on swimming success!
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Celebrating World Down Syndrome Day 2023
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Why teaching water safety skills to children from an early age is important
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Nervous about baby swimming lessons?
Reviews
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I started my little boy in lessons January 2023 and we are still going strong. His confidence in the water is amazing for a 15 month old and I am so glad I have continued to keep these up. Every teacher we have encountered at Turtle Tots have been nothing short of fantastic and never ever force the babies/toddlers to do anything they don’t feel comfortable doing. Highly recommend!
Holly 
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My LO started at 3.5months old and Anna was patient, friendly, inviting and informative. Each session has been so much fun and my LO every week loves being in the pool and splashing away! It is also been a great way of chatting to other mums. There is no pressure for the babies to so any of the activities and it’s completely child led. I would highly recommend Turtle Tots – Anna is amazing!! A truly brilliant first time experience with a LO swimming and excited to see how he grows
Lauren -
We have just completed our first term of “Turtle Tots”. The classes are multi-ability grouped according to age. I loved the way we could join in straight away even though my 2 year old hadn’t done any swimming before. I liked Kathy’s child-led approach, particularly around jumping in / noodles / toys. The emphasis is always on fun and babies are never forced to do anything they don’t want to do. The classes were a convenient time and location for us. Kathy is very personable, supportive and always has time for questions. She has been so friendly and easy to communicate with. From our very first visit, we were made to feel really welcome. Singing and repetition is a big part of the routine for the Turtle Tots classes, which my daughter loves! During our first couple of sessions, my daughter was a little nervous and sometimes cried when we tried new things or she got her face wet. Now she squeals with laughter through most of the class. Swimming classes have now become part of our weekly routine, and my daughter often asks if we’re going swimming when we get in the car. We can’t wait for the new term! Thanks so much Kathy and team.
Millie-Mae & LeanneLeanne -
I cannot recommend Turtle Tots Cardiff enough! It has been absolutely incredible for my baby’s confidence in the water. I’ve been taking my little girl since she was 3 months and she loves it (bath time is also a breeze since attending). Unlike other swim schools I’ve tried with my older children, which used pushy techniques that actually dented their confidence, Turtle Tots seem to take a different approach. Cath and the team truly understand babies and what works best for them, creating a calm, supportive, and fun environment.
The whole ethos of Turtle Tots is spot on—it’s all about nurturing and encouraging at the baby’s pace. My little one absolutely loves the sessions, and I’ve been amazed at how much progress we’ve made without any pressure. It’s such a joy to see my baby happy and confident in the water. By far the best swim school experience I’ve had.Rachel -
Turtle tots NI & Donegal is a fantastic company. Cathy our instructor is lovely and very friendly. Makes lessons fun and is great with my baby.
Anonymous -
I’m so glad we signed up for Turtle Tots NI. Cathy is so friendly and patient. My little girl started when she was just 3 months old and was nervous at first but the classes focus on getting them comfortable in the water through songs and simple exercises. She now loves the pool and bath time always splashing and kicking with excitement. Overall I highly recommend turtle tots NI for any parent wanting to introduce their babies to the water in a safe and relaxed way. We can’t wait til next term!
Reece -
My daughter started classes with Cathy at 4 months in the baby bath class, she went from absolutely hating water and bath time, so loving it so fast! I’ve seen a huge difference in her over the past few months, shes now 10 months and In her second term with turtle tots and absolutely loves going into the pool every week for lessons
Kimberley M -
Id highly recommend Cathy for baby lessons. My little one started at 5 months old and is loving it. Cathy is so patient with babies and the mammies
Thank youLouise L -
Turtle tots is such a lovely and friendly environment for wee ones. The classes aren’t huge and the teachers know every child’s name. It’s great watching your baby develop every week and their confidence growing with the support from the instructors.
Claire -
We have had a fantastic experience with Turtle Tots! My daughter has been swimming with Turtle Tots since she was 2.5 months old and since the beginning we felt very welcome and comfortable and very at ease (which when taking your baby swimming for the first time is no mean feat!). The teachers have been wonderful, and would definitely recommend!
Amy -
My son has been going Turtle Tots swimming class since he was 9 months and now over 2 years going there. Swimming class helped his core muscle, better asleep and general fitness. Thank you!
Anonymous -
The classes are all held in heated (hydro) pools, with often a warm space to change our babies. This is such a plus. The actual classes are fantastic; playful but purposeful and following the child’s development, it provides vital skills in the water. Our baby loves water anyway, and it had thus provided a much anticipated weekly event, but even if she hadn’t, she would have loved being in the water by now. It’s simply splendid.
Lizzie