You don't have to wait until your baby starts swim lessons to begin building a positive relationship with the water! Everyday routines like bath time are an opportunity to build water comfort, body awareness, and foundational skills. Start Early Don't wait until your baby is six months old to introduce foundational water experiences. Babies spend their earliest months surrounded by fluid, and gentle, positive water experiences can help build familiarity and comfort from the beginning. Build Water Comfort at Bath Time Bath time is one of the easiest places to practice! During bath time, spend a couple of minutes practicing a simple “1, 2, 3” cue , followed by a small amount of water dribbled over your baby's face. This teaches your baby that the cue means “water is coming!” As your baby becomes comfortable, gradually progress from small dribbles to a cup pour, allowing water to reach the face, eyes, nose, and mouth . You don't need to immediately wipe their face after every pour. Give them the opportunity to experience the water, recover, and learn that they can handle the sensation. You may notice your baby gasp, tense their body, or look startled when water reaches their face. Young babies have an involuntary response to water around the face that can affect their breathing and body position. These reactions are not automatically a sign that your baby is upset. Pay attention to their whole-body communication and cues and give them time to recover and reconnect with you. Let Your Baby Explore Movement in Water Water is a great place for babies to experience movement and body awareness. Try pouring water gently over your baby's ears or, with constant hands-on supervision , allow them to lie on their back in a bathtub with only a couple of inches of water so they can safely experience moving their body through the water. These simple experiences help babies become familiar with water on their ears, face, and body , while giving them opportunities to explore movement and develop body awareness. What About Water in Their Ears? Getting water in your baby's ears during normal bathing or swimming does not cause an ear infection . Most common childhood ear infections are related to infections or inflammation rather than simply getting the ears wet. If you'd like to dry your baby's ears after a bath, gently dab the outside of the ears with a towel. Never put cotton swabs or other objects into the ear canal. If your child experiences frequent or recurring ear infections, talk with your pediatrician or other medical professional about what is appropriate for your child.  Most Important: Keep It Positive You don't need to turn bath time into a swim lesson. A few minutes of positive, consistent practice goes a long way. Follow your baby's cues, keep the experience playful, and remember that the goal is not to rush skills—it is to build comfort, trust, connection, and a strong foundation for learning in the water.

Our pool is a saltwater pool, but saltwater pools still use chlorine to keep the water clean and safe. However, some swimmers may notice that pool water can leave their skin feeling a little dry, especially with frequent swimming. A few simple steps can help: Rinse before class. A quick shower before getting in helps saturate the skin with fresh water before swimming. Rinse after every lesson. Give your swimmer a quick rinse after swimming to remove pool water from their skin. Use gentle products. After class, wash your swimmer with a fragrance-free, gentle soap and shampoo that is appropriate for their sensitive skin. Moisturize afterward. If your swimmer's skin tends to feel dry, apply a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer after bathing. Some families also choose to use a Vitamin C spray or lotion after swimming. Everyone’s skin is different. If your swimmer has persistent irritation, a rash, or sensitive skin that is difficult to manage, talk with your pediatrician or another medical professional about the best products for your child.