Let's get prepared!
Congratulations, you have taken that all important first step in giving your baby a true " Gift for Life" and booking their very first swim course, which we are sure will become both yours and their favourite weekly activity. We do understand however that this will be a very new experience for many of our parents and you may have lots of questions.
Here we have provided as much of the important information as we can to help you get prepared for that first day and what to expect.
What do I need to bring with me?
The Essentials
Swimwear for Baby Our pools are lovely and warm so keeping covered up isn't really an issue however we do of course want to avoid any embarrassing leaks into the pool so nappies are vital unless of course they are potty trained. We ask that all babies are double wrapped to be as well protected as possible and we strongly recommend the Happy Nappy which is a neoprene swim nappy proven to be the best protection on the market. Underneath this it's either a disposable swim nappy or even better for the environment and your pocket, an inner reusable nappy wrap.
View our Happy Nappy and Aqua Wrap System.
Swimwear for you Yes you will be in the water too so whilst packing everything that baby needs, don't forget yourself. You would be surprised how many parents do!!
Towels For you and baby. Hooded towels are ideal for baby if you have one.
Mobile Phone Please do check your mobile phone each week before leaving for the pool in case of a cancellation or a last minute change to your class time.
Pool Address and Parking Info Many of our pools have specific parking requirements so it is best to have a copy of this and any directions ready for day 1.
Warm Hat for Baby After swimming it's important to make sure you dry your baby's ears as much as possible to remove any residual water but for added protection it's good to bring a hat for them to wear after swimming that covers their ears, even if it is just a short walk to the car.
A drink and/or a snack Your baby is likely to be quite thirsty and hungry after swimming.
Optional Extras
Change Mat Changing mats are provided at all of our pools. For ultimate hygiene and comfort, we recommend you bring your own changing mats and put on top of the ones we provide, as an extra layer.
Swim Hat A few of our pools stipulate that swim hats must be worn by parent and child. This will be clear on the pool address information sheet you have been emailed. Teachers will always have spares but do try to bring these along each week as it's far more hygienic to have your own.
Wetsuit for Baby There are a few of our pools that are considered semi warm and some babies may benefit from an extra layer to keep the heat in. Again if we do recommend wetsuits at your chosen venue this will be detailed on your pool letter however some babies may feel the cold more than others even at our warmest pools and if so it's worth investing in a wetsuit to keep them as comfortable as possible.
Flip Flops / Pool Shoes for you Pool side flip flops can be a great addition for you to help prevent slipping at the pool side.
Why not print a copy of our Checklist here and keep with your swim bag.
Dillon's Duckling Start PackSuitable for Levels 1-7 up to 2 – 2.5 years
To make life a bit easier for Mummy & Daddy I have put together a starter pack which provides a combination of some of the above plus a few extras to give baby the very best start in our programme plus saving you money on purchasing the items individually: Complete Your Aqua Wrap System, Roll & Go Change Mat, Anti Chlorine Shampoo & Shower Wash, Water Bucket, Duckling Badge, Future Savings.
SHOP NOWNow the bag is packed, what else can you do to prepare?
Now on to how you can help your baby enjoy the experience as much as possible. Who better to explain that than baby …
Helping us both relax
I can feel and sense you holding me in the water.
I love to feel and see you happy and relaxed, as this makes me feel the same. It makes me more confident above and below the water, but if you squeeze me too tightly when I swim underwater, or look worried when I surface, then I may be a little anxious too!
So let's have lots of fun, with smiles, cuddles, splashes and bubbles.
When will I swim underwater?
I will take my first underwater dip on week 3 of the course, giving me time to get used to all the new surroundings and for you and I to practise a great breath holding skill to prepare. When I do finally swim underwater my throat closes, "the diving reflex" and allows me to breath-hold and take in the exciting experience of being underwater. Most of us have our mouths open, which is fine, and when I surface I release the muscle and may surprise myself by swallowing a tiny amount of water (less than an egg cup full). The first few weeks I may occasionally cough a little when surfacing, but I will very quickly get used to going under water and learn how to direct the water out of my mouth rather than the other way. Some of us even achieve an impressive spout just like our dolphin and whale friends. Mastering the English language is going to take a while, so I do not always listen to your words, just feel the idea so it will take me a few weeks or so to understand when I am going underwater. You can help me by always making a very clear command of 'Ready Go' prior to my swims. Until I have mastered the command for going underwater I may be a little unsure, but once I have, the fun can really start.
I may not always be feeling my best
Sometimes I have days or weeks when my teeth hurt or I'm tired from growing or I am not my normal happy self, but I cannot tell you yet, so please do not stop my swimming if I have a phase of not liking it.
I will soon be back to my old self and splashing, kicking and paddling in the water will be my best idea of fun! But if I am having an 'off' day please do fewer or no submersions with me and use more time to play with me in the water.
There is no pressure to do all the skills or swims, unless I am happy and ready.
What about my feeding and sleeping routine?
I love to swim and I love to eat, so it is a shame that the two do not mix.
I will swim best if I have had a snack an hour or so before swimming so that I am not hungry or irritable during the lesson and at the same time do not have too full a tummy.
I can then work up a big appetite for my lunch or dinner afterwards so please bring a drink for me to have after the lesson.
I know my sleeping is also important to me and juggling all three is a thing that only you can do, so I will leave it to you to find the right balance.
Sometimes a little nap before swimming and a longer nap afterwards may be the best solution and I will be sure to tell you if we are not quite getting it right.
