There are over 2,500 swimming pools in the UK, but as a parent how do you know which ones are ‘baby friendly’ and what to consider when deciding where to take your little one swimming?
Professional bodies such as the Amateur Swimming Association and the Institute of Sport and Recreation Management have recognised this need to give parents more information about swimming with their babies and young children.
To provide you with guidance on suitable swimming pools the ASA and ISRM have launched the first UK baby friendly swimming pool directory in association with Huggies® Little Swimmers®.
All you need to do is search in your region to find the nearest recommended swimming pool to you.
What makes a Baby Friendly Pool?
A Baby Friendly Pool has facilities and services which help to make swimming fun and easy for you and your baby. Swimming pools will be certified as baby friendly if they have:
- Baby friendly swimming pool facilities – all pools will have an area suitable for baby swimming and provide parental friendly steps for entering and exiting the pool with your baby
- Baby and child-friendly changing rooms at the recommended temperature for comfortable dressing
- Approved standards of hygiene, including swim pants guidelines
- Family sessions and/or adult and child swimming classes
- Approved health and safety procedures
What should I bring with me to the pool?
Most parents turn up to our classes with several bags full of things they actually don't need. As the weeks go parents usually get in the swing of bringing one or two bags. Things to remember are:
- A swimming costume for you
- A Huggies® Little Swimmers® swim pants(and a spare just in case your baby has an accident)
- A towel for you and your baby
- A normal Huggies® nappy for after your swim
Some mums also bring along a foldable changing mat and some wet wipes.
