Minimum swim age for babies?

[Boris+]

At what age do you think babies should start swimming? Apart from the nappy side of things, should a young baby be taken into a pool - and just how competent should the accompanying adults be?

Em

[Dancing Queen]

I would think at whatever age the parents decide, as for how competent the accompanying adults should be then again it is the parents decision.

[GillD46]

Not until they have had at least their first set of jabs.

[Boris+]

That's a good point Gill, thanks.

Em

[david63]

Not until they have had at least their first set of jabs.

That is now now necessary - see, although some places may insist on it.

It not so much when they can go swimming, or necessarily the competence of the adult - it is how they are introduced to the water that is important as it can affect their whole confidence in the water.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Our grand daughter has been going to an organised class, called Water Babies, who are very good. She cannot yet swim but is very confident in the water.

[Andrea S]

We belong a leisure group within a hotel. Baby classes with puddle duck group start at a few weeks old.

[Jacknian]

Both my grandchildren went to a class called 'water babies ' from only a few months old. It is quite scary to watch as they duck the babies under the water and they seem to be able to hold their breath instinctively. It is amazing to see as when they are only 6 - 9 months old they learn to grab hold of the side of the swimming pool and keep themselves up. My 2 are now 6 and 4 and are both very confident swimmers so it really works to take them early.

[GillD46]

Not until they have had at least their first set of jabs.

That is now now necessary - see, although some places may insist on it.

It not so much when they can go swimming, or necessarily the competence of the adult - it is how they are introduced to the water that is important as it can affect their whole confidence in the water.

It was more for the protection of the baby I was thinking.

[Boris+]

Well thankyou everyone for your kind advice and the information.

Em