Babies and swimming

You can first introduce your baby to water at home in the bath. Letting your baby float in the water while you hold them lets them get used to the feeling of water on their skin. You do not have to put them underwater. Many babies enjoy being in water.

If you want to take your baby to the pool when they are younger than 6 months, check with the pool management or owners that they treat the water to prevent infections. You also need to check that the water and air temperatures are comfortable.

If your baby cannot fully hold their head, be sure to support them in the water.

If your baby starts to shiver or show signs of being cold, take them out, dry them with a towel and get them dressed. Babies are not able to control their body temperature like adults.

Swimming in rivers, lakes and the ocean

You can take your baby into a river, lake or the ocean, but it is important to be aware of their health and safety. Just like the swimming pool, it is very important to make sure they do not get cold.

Choose a spot where the water is warm, calm and clean. Do not let your baby drink the water. Watch out for waves or currents (Opens in new tab) that stop you from holding them properly.

Australian guidelines (Opens in new tab) recommend starting swimming lessons for your baby from 6 months of age. Swimming and water safety programs are not recommended for babies younger than 6 months.

What happens in a baby swim lesson?

Usually, swimming lessons involve a small group of parents and babies who learn through fun activities and play. Parents or caregivers always need to be with their babies in the water.

Up until 3 years of age, swimming classes are designed to:

• help your child get comfortable in the water while having fun and bonding with you
• teach basic water safety skills that are appropriate for their age and development
• teach parents and caregivers about water safety

Here are some tips to support your baby's confidence in water:

• Start early and keep it fun — let your baby splash around in the bath. Use toys, songs and games to make it more enjoyable for them.
• Make sure you know how to safely and comfortably hold your baby in the water, so they feel safe.
• Start swimming lessons when your baby is 6 months of age — together with a qualified teacher, you can learn swimming and safety skills to help build your confidence, as well as your baby's.
• Keep activities appropriate for your baby's age and development — let them learn and develop at their own rate. If your baby is not comfortable in water, take a break.
• Reassure and encourage your baby.
• Have regular water outings so your baby is consistently exposed to the water.

Even if your child seems confident, you must always hold them when they are in the water.

Children aged 2 to 4 years can start to develop basic water skills. Babies younger than one year are not able to learn water safety skills and cannot control their breathing.

You can keep your baby safe in the water by always supervising them, even in the bath — this is the most important thing you can do to keep your baby safe. If you have a pool or a spa, make sure it is securely fenced and complies with Australian safety standards (Opens in new tab).

Water safety is extremely important for your baby. Babies can drown in just a few centimetres of water — sadly, this happens every year.

Read more about water safety for babies and children.

Read more about first aid for babies and children.

Sun safety

If you are swimming outside, make sure your baby is protected from the sun. Here are some tips:

• Dress your baby in swim clothing that blocks out ultraviolet (UV) light.
• Use recommended sunscreen for babies that is water resistant and SPF30+ or higher.
• Use a broad-brimmed hat.
• Go swimming in the early morning or late afternoon, when the UV radiation level is lower than in the middle of the day.

The Cancer Council has recommendations about sun safety and how to slip, slop, slap, seek and slide (Opens in new tab).

Read more about sun and heat protection for babies and kids.

Read more about babies in hot weather.

Pool toys — floaties and pool noodles

It is also important to be careful when using flotation devices like floaties. They can give a false sense of your child's safety or ability in water. Floaties and pool toys do not replace adult supervision.

When buying floatation devices, check that the recommended age and weight range are right for your baby.

Water hygiene

Babies can get sick from bacteria (Opens in new tab) or viruses in swimming pools or other sources of water. To protect your baby, check that the pool is clean and meets hygiene guidelines.

Make sure your baby is healthy before you take them swimming. This can help prevent your baby from spreading infection to others.

It is a good idea to bring a bag with everything you need for the swimming pool.

You will need:

• towels
• a swimsuit — for you and your baby
• at least 2 swim nappies
• your nappy bag
• a change mat
• clothes to change into afterwards
• snack or bottle for afterwards

Swim nappies

Public swimming pools often require babies who are not yet toilet trained to wear a swim nappy. A swim nappy makes sure your baby's faeces (poo) does not end up in the water. Before going into the water with your baby, check the pool's policies about swim nappies.

Swim nappies should fit firmly around your baby's legs. Swim nappies are not designed to hold urine (wee).

There are 2 main types of swim nappies:

1. disposable swim nappies — like a regular disposable nappy but they will not swell up in the water
2. reusable swim nappies — made from stretchy bathing suit material, which lets water run out, but keeps poo inside the nappy

• Kidsafe Australia (Opens in new tab) have resources on keeping your young child safe around backyard swimming pools.
• Royal Life Saving Australia (Opens in new tab) also have information on keeping your home pool safe (Opens in new tab).
• Learn more about the Royal Life Saving Australia Swim and Survive program for Australian infants and toddlers (Opens in new tab).

Languages other than English

• The Royal Children's Hospital has translated their water safety resources (Opens in new tab) into many community languages.

Information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples

• Indigenous.gov.au has a resource with 10 tips to stay safe near water (Opens in new tab) for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.