Wondering if it’s time to take your baby swimming?

It’s vital for children to feel comfortable and safe in and by the water from a young age, and swimming with your baby encourages the teaching of age-appropriate life-saving skills. As a family owned safety brand, Slipfree® is passionate about getting families swimming and learning water safety from an early age. 

Promoting safety in and around water and encouraging families to create special bonding moments in a fun and secure environment is at the heart of what both Slipfree® and Water Babies believe, which is why we’re proud to support Water Babies again for National Baby Swimming Week 2024 (2nd-8th September). 

This year’s theme is all about helping little ones become ‘swimvincible’— empowering parents, babies and toddlers to develop confidence and learn life-saving skills through swimming. 

Benefits of Baby Swimming

Safety aside, baby swimming also provides emotional, physical, and psychological benefits that support your baby’s growth and development… as well as your journey together as a parent. 

• Skin-on-skin bonding: Key to emotional development, helping build your little one’s confidence and fostering a sense of security.
• Gentle exercise for both of you: Regular exercise postpartum can help your body recover after child birth and it may also help with postnatal depression.
• Physical development: Help strengthen baby’s muscles - inside and out and support their balance as they grow and get on the move.
• Eat, sleep, swim repeat: Baby Swimming will help with with your little ones eating and sleeping patterns.
• Get social: Research indicates baby swimming results in increased social, academic and personality development… and it’s a lovely way to meet other new local parents.
• Confidence Boosting: Celebrate together as you and your baby build a new skill in water safety and confidence.

And let’s not forget the extra cuddles and one-on-one time, which are a lovely bonus!

Step into Swimming Safely

Teaching your children how to be safe and confident around the water is an essential life skill and will help give YOU peace of mind at the pool, the beach, and at home too. For an extra layer of pool side confidence, try Slipfree® shoes for you and your baby. 

Designed with safety in mind, Slipfree® have unique non-slip soles that help prevent slipping and falling on wet and dry surfaces - letting you stroll confidently and safely between the changing room, pool and showers, even with a wet, wriggly baby in your arms! They are Soft, flexible, and extremely comfortable, designed for a barefoot feeling. They can be worn comfortably in and out of the water, and because they’re so light, you can swim without even realising you’re wearing shoes.The patented soles also prevent nasty infections that sometimes linger in pools, showers and changing rooms!

Baby Swimming Top Tips from Slipfree®

Make your baby swimming experience as smooth and safe as possible with these other tried and tested top tips from parents…

• Reusable swim nappies are amazing for keeping any whoopsies firmly inside.
• Use a hooded towel, dressing gown, or poncho towel to easily wrap your little one up as soon as you exit the water and keep them snug.
• Have snacks on hand, or be ready to breast/bottle feed your baby as soon as you’re out of the pool—they will get hungry.
• Keep clothing simple post swim (for you and baby) so you can get war, dry and snuggly as quickly as possible.
• Try not to make too many big plans post-swim, as you can usually expect a nice long nap afterwards!
• Don’t forget your Slipfree®!  

National Baby Swimming Week, celebrate the joys of baby swimming while highlighting how it can help your little one become ‘swimvincible.’ Whether it’s through learning essential water safety or simply having fun and bonding, our shared goal is to empower families to embrace the benefits of baby swimming.  

Join the Slipfree Family on Instagram and Facebook. Find out more at www.slipfree.co.uk.