In general, babies feel at home in water. After all, they spend the nine months of pregnancy in warm fluid!

So make their bath time enjoyable right from the start. Keep it short, and reassure your baby with plenty of eye contact and smiles. When you progress to the parent and baby sessions in your local pool, you'll need to buy a waterproof swim nappy. Babies won't enjoy their time in the pool if they're cold so keep them submerged up to their shoulders. Some babies are happier still when wearing a special neoprene swimsuit which keeps them warm.