Baby swimming is a fun, safe program, teaching your child life saving skills.

In around nine weeks, your baby will should learn to confidently swim short distances underwater. Babies can begin swimming from 3 months to 14 months.

Classes are popular with dads as well as mums and we see as many fathers as mothers in the pool at weekends, bonding with their babies.

The Diving Reflex. Babies are born with the 'diving reflex', which means that when their heads are fully submerged they breath hold. Babies lose the diving reflex somewhere between 12 and 18 months.

The babies will learn to support themselves by holding on to the pool rail. Eventually they will swim independently, underwater to the side of the pool and hold on, with their heads above the surface of the water.

If your baby can sit, baby swimming classes can  teach him/her to dive in from a seated position, and resurface.

Baby Swimming classes can teach lifesaving skills and are great fun for both parent and baby.

Overview: The benefits of taking your baby swimming

Taking your baby swimming has huge benefits for you and your baby:

• Babies get a complete physical workout
• Babies get completely free movement in the water, which they would not get otherwise
• Being in the water improves core muscle development and co-ordination
• Eating and sleeping patterns are improved
• Responding to commands can make your baby sharper mentally
• Swimming in water is the only time a baby can be completely independent
• It is fun and socially stimulating

It is generally agreed that you do not need to wait until your baby has been immunised to take him or her swimming, as the chlorine in the water will prevent any danger of infectious diseases. However do not go swimming if your baby is unwell.

A small baby can become cold and possibly overwhelmed so keep swimming times short and take your baby out if he or she starts to shiver. Water should ideally be at least 32 degrees for a small baby.

When you are in the water let your baby enjoy the sensations and get used to the water. Keep your face at your baby's eye level.