Baby Swimming Lessons

Our lessons for babies aged 3 to 17 months are perfect for introducing little ones to swimming and beginning a lifelong love of the water.

BUILDING FOUNDATIONS THAT LAST A LIFETIME

Water is a natural environment for babies. Joining Turtle Tots from a young age encourages familiarisation with water and helps little ones to develop early instinctive responses and lifesaving skills with the support of our highly trained and experienced teachers.

For parents, spending precious time teaching their newborn or young baby to swim is a unforgettable bonding experience, the benefits of which will last a lifetime.

The foundations of our award-winning, child-led swimming programme is communication. All our Turtle Tots teachers are trained to understand every baby’s non-verbal signals and body language. Each lesson introduces age and stage appropriate activities to support every child’s physical, social and emotional development and wellbeing.

Every baby has their own unique personality and we tailor every activity to suit them based on what they tell us they like and dislike. Most of our baby swimming programme takes place above the water with an emphasis on fun! Our lessons do include natural submersion but only when your child is ready.

We use lots of easy to learn songs and games in our lessons to ensure that you and your little one enjoy your time in the pool together.

But the benefits don’t stop there. Life-long friendships are often forged at children’s activity classes. Baby swimming lessons with Turtle Tots give you the opportunity to meet like-minded parents and carers, share your experiences and enjoy time together away from the pool.

THE BENEFITS OF SWIMMING

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are the benefits of baby swimming lessons?

Baby swimming offers many benefits for both you and your baby. Our lessons support your child’s physical, social and emotional development, as well as giving your child the opportunity to develop their language skills. The Turtle Tots swimming programme fundamentally teaches vital life-saving and water safety skills, something that will support your child’s confidence in the water throughout their entire lives. Baby swimming lessons also encourage bonding and attachment, giving parents the chance to spend quality time with their little ones cuddling, playing and learning together.

All Turtle Tots babies and toddlers must wear a double nappy system until they are fully toilet trained. A well fitted neoprene Happy Nappy should be worn over a swim nappy. We have some fantastic reusable options available in our shop. Alternatively, you can purchase disposables from any good baby retailer.

If your little one feels the cold, or you are planning on swimming in cooler pools between lessons, you can purchase a baby wetsuit.

Also, don’t forget your own swimming costume, towels and a warm snuggly outfit for your baby after the lessons.

Babies can start swimming lessons with Turtle Tots from birth. Our lessons for little ones take place in lovely warm pools in locations across Ireland. However, new mums may need to wait a little while until their bodies have fully recovered so if you would like to start your baby swimming journey as soon as possible, other family members may need to hop in the pool with little one initially.

Reviews

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Sinéad McCabe profile picture
Sinéad McCabe
01/07/2025
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Really enjoyed the lessons and I now feel more confident taking my baby swimming. Our teacher Kimberlie Rose is so kind and patient with the babies, cannot recommend Turtle Tots enough.
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Claire o'connor profile picture
Claire o'connor
28/06/2025
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Liam loved his swimming lessons
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Ana Silva profile picture
Ana Silva
10/06/2025
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My daughter has started swimming lesson with Turtle Tots, for the first time, for the summer time and we are having so much fun. As a parent I think swimming is such a great, fun and important skill. The classes are well elaborated for the young ones, and our teacher Niamh Doyle is great. Would highly recommend.
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Claire Bedford profile picture
Claire Bedford
10/06/2025
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Really recommend turtle tots, excellent instructors, child led and child focused. Small classes with great interaction
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Keelin Hughes profile picture
Keelin Hughes
09/06/2025
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Great lessons, fun for parents and baby
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Stacey Murray profile picture
Stacey Murray
08/06/2025
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My little boy Ollie loves going to Turtle Tots every week. It’s amazing to see how much his confidence has grown over the last few months. Thank you to Emer for making the classes super fun, will definitely be enrolling in the Autumn term. ☺️
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Shane Kennedy profile picture
Shane Kennedy
07/06/2025
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I've done Turtle Tots with both of my daughters in the Clayton in Cork and they both absolutely flourished in the classes. Their confidence grew hugely over the courses, as did their enjoyment of it. The teachers are absolutely amazing and really respond to every child's needs during the class.
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Dervla
07/06/2025
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Great instructor, both my boys really enjoy going every week, it’s a fun and stress free lesson.
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Siobhan Ní Dhufaidh profile picture
Siobhan Ní Dhufaidh
07/06/2025
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Really enjoying the classes in Liffey Valley with Veronika. She has made us both feel at ease in the water despite my daughter only being 4 months old. The classes are fun too which keeps baby entertained.

READY TO START SWIMMING?

We have swimming lessons for babies, toddlers, 3 and 4 year olds available across the whole of Ireland and the UK. Our world-class swimming teachers are eagerly waiting to welcome you and your little one into a lovely warm pool. If you’re ready to kick-start your child’s journey towards water confidence, find a lesson near you today.

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