National Baby Swimming Week runs from Monday 3rd to Sunday 9th October and its the time of year when we get to shout about all of the amazing benefits that baby swimming brings to children. Who are we kidding? That's what we're always doing.
You can use this page to discover the amazing benefits of baby swimming and you'll meet little ones from across Ireland who have shared their wonderful baby swimming stories with us.
“I’m Elaine mum to Lottie, aged 2 who has a rare neurological condition known as Rett syndrome which means Lottie is non-verbal and physically disabled.
Swimming has been an escape mechanism for Lottie where she is free, her body is free. She is a complete water baby and thrives in the water.
She loves her swimming instructor Joanna who understands her needs and at the same time includes her in the class just like all the other little ones.”
Elaine, Lotties Mum
Compared to non-swimmers, water babies are top of the class when it comes to cognitive development.
Griffith University of Queensland, Australia found that children that had swum as babies were...
“Scott, our precious little boy, was diagnosed with hip dysplasia from 9 weeks old and was in a harness from this young age. Once he was harness free, we started Water Babies at 6 months old. Unfortunately a few weeks later he was put into a Boston Brace which was even more restrictive and he had to wear it 24 hours a day. We spent the one hour that he was allowed out of the brace every week at Water Babies. Scott adored the water and loved the excuse to get his brace off! I have no doubt that Water Babies has helped hugely in his recovery.”
Tracey, Scott's Mum
I bring my son James swimming on Sundays to Water Babies in Galway with teacher Jamie.
It's very hard to put into words what swimming with Water Babies has done for us and James.
He absolutely loves swimming, his bath and water in general now. The amount of splashing he does in the bath is hilarious! Both the floor and us his parents are soaked after waking up the fisheys snoring! 😅
We've made some great friends with other parents and kids. James recently had an operation on his head, afterwards we were a bit wary about washing his hair but he wasn't bothered at all which was a great relief to us and I can definitely credit that down to Water Babies.
We're currently on chapter 3 now and loving it.
Thanks for teaching our little one the most important life skill.
Aoife, James' Mum
Sleep, eat, exercise, repeat, swimming helps regulate all of these essential activities.
Babies and toddlers who swim with us have...
Water Babies has being fantastic for all three of my kids. My oldest boy Ben went to Water Babies for years and loved every second of it and is now continuing his mainstream lessons.
Water Babies has done so much for Sam & May in the past year, particularly the last year after COVID. Both kids were shy and not very outgoing. Swimming has definitely helped them come out of themselves.
The mention of swimming now and they light up. Bath time is loved, where they practise their kick kick kick and blowing their bubbles. They have also learned so much, for example they walk up and down the stairs holding the spindles singing monkey, monkey, monkey.
I would like to thank Water Babies for the great lessons over the years.
Orla, Sam & May's Mum
We provide you with the perfect backdrop to support the bond between you and your little one.