It's never too early to start swimming... you just need the right space and support.
For many parents, the idea of taking your baby swimming for the first time brings a mix of excitement and nerves. You might be picturing tiny splashes, first smiles… and also wondering whether it’s too early, whether your baby will enjoy it, and how it’s all supposed to work.
Taking your baby swimming for the first time is a big moment, and it’s completely natural to want reassurance about timing, safety and what those first lessons will actually be like.
At GetSetSwim, we support families from the very beginning, with calm, parent-led baby swimming lessons designed to help both you and your baby feel comfortable, confident and supported in the water.
So, when can babies start swimming?
In most cases, babies can begin lessons from around 12 weeks old, once they’ve had their first immunisations. We know that sounds young – but the water is a natural environment for lots of early development. At this age, lessons aren’t about mastering strokes; they’re about introducing your baby to water in a way that feels soothing and familiar.
Our approach mirrors the natural way babies explore — we don’t rush them, we follow their pace, and we build confidence through play, touch, rhythm and routine.
What does a baby lesson actually look like?
In our Parent & Baby classes, you’re in the water with your child, sharing every moment. That closeness is the foundation of our method: babies learn through connection first.
In a typical session, you’ll find that we:
Encourage gentle, supported movement and early water comfort
Use songs, games and familiar cues to help baby feel safe
Help tiny bodies explore buoyancy, breath and balance
Focus on calm progress, not performance
None of this is about fierce splashes or forced submersion. It’s all about positive water experiences that make future lessons feel natural and reassuring.
Our approach mirrors the natural way babies explore — we don’t rush them, we follow their pace, and we build confidence through play, touch, rhythm and routine.
If you’re curious about how our lessons build from these early milestones, take a look at our full Parent & Baby programme which shows how we support every step.
Safety, comfort and the environment matter
We take safety seriously. Our baby swimming specialists are trained in early-years development and water safety, and all lessons happen in:
Warm, shallow pools
Carefully maintained water
Calm, uncluttered environments
We also design our changing and waiting spaces to feel relaxed and easy — everything you need to feed or change the baby (and yourself), no crowded corridors or rushed transitions. This makes the whole experience feel less like a chore and more like a treat for you and your child.
Our facilities are all about giving families a moment of peace in a busy day — just one of the reasons parents consistently rate us so highly.
What about readiness?
You might wonder: Does my baby need to be able to do anything first?
The short answer is: not really. Babies don’t have to be strong swimmers or “ready” on their own. Every activity is lovingly supported by you and our coach. We let baby’s comfort be the compass. There’s never any pressure.
A simple tip: bring their favourite bath toy – a touch of familiarity goes a long way in those first lessons.
Why start early?
There’s no perfect age, but babies can adapt quickly to the water, and early lessons help them feel at ease long before fear has a chance to settle in. What we see is how calm, positive early experiences make later stages of swimming more enjoyable — for both parent and child.
If you’re wondering how lessons evolve beyond those first weeks, our full lessons overview explains how children grow through our 7-stage programme.
You're not alone in this
Every parent we meet has similar questions, similar hopes, and similar slow-burn nerves. That’s normal. What we do is meet you and your baby right where you are, with warmth, reassurance and a method built to support both of you.
If you’d like to talk through timing, comfort cues, or how to make the first session feel natural, our team is always happy to help – email swim@get-set-go.com or call us on 020 8050 0070.