Water Babies Brighton & Mid Sussex
BEST FOR
Ages 0-4
WHERE
Brighton
What it’s like
Teacher-led baby swimming lessons in heated pools, starting from birth, working up through named "teams" as skills build.
These are proper swimming lessons for babies, not a splash-about session. A teacher takes you through breath control and underwater work in a pool heated to at least 29°C, with newborns under 12 weeks or 12lbs kept in water as warm as 32°C. Babies progress through named teams, Pearl through to Finn, picking up badges as they go, so there's a visible sense of moving on rather than just turning up week to week.
You're in the water yourself. The double nappy system is non-negotiable, a swim nappy under an approved neoprene Happy Nappy, and you'll want your own changing mat since you're likely to be doing the changing on the floor rather than a proper table. Bringing a warm hat for afterwards is one of those small details that makes sense once you think about how fast a wet baby's head cools down.
Booking works on a monthly payment basis by card or direct debit, with lessons scheduled in advance, so this isn't a drop-in you can decide on the morning. Arrive fifteen minutes early to get changed and ready, since the class before you will be climbing out as you're climbing in. If your baby has eczema, barrier cream under a sun suit is what they suggest, and the going-underwater bit is genuinely safe thanks to a reflex babies are born with, though nobody gets submerged before they're ready.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Birth to 4, with newborns in extra-warm water from the start
- Booking
- Monthly payment by card or Direct Debit
- The double nappy system, a swim nappy plus neoprene Happy Nappy, is compulsory every lesson
- Arrive 15 minutes early, the previous class will be getting out as you get in
- Feed your baby about an hour before the lesson, or closer if they need milk
- Barrier cream under a sun suit works for babies with eczema
Plan your visit
What age can lessons start?
Straight from birth. If your baby was premature, check with your doctor first and wait until they're past their due date.
Do we need to book, and how does payment work?
Lessons are booked in advance and paid monthly, either by card or direct debit. It's not a pay-as-you-go class.
What do we need to bring?
Swimwear and a towel for you, plus a swim nappy with a neoprene Happy Nappy over the top for your baby. Bring a small changing mat, a wetsuit if they feel the cold, and a warm hat for after.
How warm is the water?
At least 29°C for older babies, rising to 32°C for anyone under 12 weeks or 12lbs. They move you to the right pool for your baby's age.
What if my baby or I are feeling unwell?
Sniffles are fine, but skip it with a temperature, and stay away entirely for vomiting, diarrhoea or anything more serious until you've been clear for 48 hours.
Is going underwater actually safe?
Yes, babies are born with a reflex that closes off the airway when water hits their face. Lessons build on that reflex gradually and nobody is submerged before they're ready.
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