swim-tots

Feeding

Ideally, try to feed your baby 1-2 hours before the start of your class. However, it’s not the end of the world at all if you do need to feed them closer to the start than that. You will probably find that they consume a lot more than usual after their class – they’ll have used a lot of energy! You will also probably find that they sleep very well that night!

Immunisations

The official advice from the NHS is that a baby can start swimming at any time regardless of their immunisation status. Please click here for more details. It is important that you make up your own mind.

When Your Child Can Start Swimming

Essentially, as soon as you feel ready and comfortable. After all, water is such a natural environment for your baby they will be comfortable

from the very earliest days. If your baby is older, there is no problem – we may just adjust some of the practices to ease them into the programme.

What Your Child Should Wear in the Pool

Unless completely potty-trained, we do insist on a double-nappy system, to minimise the risk of solids leaking into the pool. Your baby or toddler should wear a first layer of disposable aqua-nappy, specially designed for swimming eg. Huggies Swim Nappies (we have spares of these at poolside for £1 each), which then needs to be topped with a washable fabric Splashabout Happy Nappy. This particular brand of aqua-nappy has a good seal around the tops of the legs which really does prove effective at stopping those little accidents. Make sure that you have the right size for the age / weight of your baby – your instructor can help you with this. You can buy the Happy Nappies direct from www.splashabout.net or you can easily order one through

when you make your booking. An accident in the pool can lead to the pool needing to be closed for the rest of the day, so following these guidelines is crucial.

If, despite these precautions, some leakage does occur please don’t feel too embarrassed to inform your instructor. We do need to know so that the necessary steps can be taken in terms of treating the pool to prevent the risk of infection (specifically cryptosporidium).

Please see sizes of Happy Nappies below. If you order through

we can ensure you get the right size once we see those thighs and make sure we get a good seal!

Size	Age	Price
Extra-small	0-3 months	£7.99
Small	3-6 months	£7.99
Medium	6-9 months	£7.99
Large	9-18 months	£7.99
Extra-large	18–36 months	£7.99

Wetsuits

All of our pools are maintained at a minimum of 30°, with Henshaws in Harrogate being 34° and Lady Anne’s in York being 32°. In this lovely warm water your baby or toddler should be very comfortable. If, however, we feel that a little extra warmth is required

happily provide plenty of wetsuits of varying sizes on the poolside for you to borrow for the lesson.

Changing Facilities There are ample changing facilities at all our pools. At some pools we have the advantage of having the changing rooms to ourselves for the morning, whereas in other pools within gym facilities we would ask that you pay due consideration to the members who will also be using the changing facilities.
	To make things easier for you provide a playpen in each of the changing rooms (space permitting) so that you can get yourself changed knowing your child is safe. Please do note however that it is of course still your responsibility to supervise your child whilst they are in the playpen. We also provide a number of change mats, to add to the available places to change your baby. Again, it is your responsibility to ensure that your baby is supervised at all times.
You are of course quite welcome to bring along your own change mat as well.

After your swim you may find it useful to wrap your baby / toddler in a poncho-style towel whilst you get yourself dressed. They will be kept warm and will be practically dry by the time you get to them.

Please do bear in mind that others use these facilities as well, including a lot of fellow

, and so treat them with consideration. Please take away with you any used nappies, unless there is a bin clearly marked for nappy disposal (as at Henshaws).

Any rubbish should also be disposed of properly. And one final request – please don’t feed your child any raisins on poolside or in the changing rooms, they get everywhere!

Illness

Please don’t bring your child swimming if they have a bad cold, an ear infection, diarrhoea, sickness, chicken pox or any other significant illness. If you are unsure you can check with your doctor.

Please note that

policy is that you are entitled to a credit for a maximum of one lesson per

term if you are unable to attend for whatever reason.

Enrolment Forms

It is essential that

is in receipt of a completed enrolment form before you start classes. This will ensure that we are aware of any medical conditions prior to commencement. If you are not sure if a specific medical condition will be affected by swimming please clarify with your doctor first.