Lisa Scott Lee Baby Swimming Tips

Lisa Scott Lee, formerly of pop band steps, is fronting the Huggies Little Swimmers campaign for National Baby Swim Week. Lisa, 34, has two children - Jayden aged 3 and Star-Lily aged 18 months, regularly goes swimming with them and has done since they were just a few months old. Lisa attributes getting back into shape to swimming with her babies and waxes lyrical about the benefits of baby swimming, including aiding them to establish better eating and sleeping patterns.

From what age did you take your baby swimming?

Both Star-Lily and Jaden were water babies - I had water births so you could say they came out swimming! I honestly think because they were water babies they felt very at home in the water from early on.

I waited for them to have their three month injections and then literally three months and one day old I took them swimming. I just thought the earlier the better really. I had seen footage of babies actually swimming under water and I was quite intrigued.

 

Why do you take Star-Lily baby swimming?

I have always loved swimming, I guess I got the bug from my mum; mum was a professional swimmer and swam for England. She took me swimming when I was a few months old so it was a natural step for me to take my little ones swimming as soon as they had their immunisations.  Star-Lily, my youngest, loves swimming… she gets in the water and laughs her little head off. It's such a great bonding experience and when we do exercises it keeps me in shape too.

 

Do you have a fun experience of taking Star-Lily swimming that you would like to share?

Star-Lily has got no fear whatsoever when I take her swimming! It can be quite fun being in the pool with Star-Lily because although she's only 18 months old, I hold her hand and she climbs up my body and she stands tall on my chest upright out of the water. It's quite incredible that she has the strength and 'no fear' to do that.

When Star-Lily is in the pool with her older brother Jaden, she often has a little floaty and he spends half an hour just following her around in her ring. She's there like the lady and he is just pulling her round, which is rather sweet.

Recently we tried to encourage Jaden to go in to the big swimming pool. He was really quite fearful, so in the end I just told him 'don't be scared darling, it's just a big bath.' That just seemed to turn on a switch and he was absolutely fine and now he is very happy about going in the pool.

How was your first swim with Star-Lily?

She absolutely loved it.  I wasn't sure if she was going to scream her head off, but she was very calm. As soon as she was in the water she was very quiet - I think she finds being in the water quite relaxing.

 

Has anything embarrassing happened when you have taken Star-Lily swimming?

Nothing embarrassing has happened to me yet, but if it did I think the key would be to take a deep breath, relax and see the funny side of things. It's always good to make sure you are prepared for any little embarrassing moments. Swim pants like HUGGIES® Little Swimmers® are great as they are designed to keep little toilet accidents in and both my little ones have been in them since their first swim.

 

Do you take both of your children swimming? How do you manage two little ones in the pool?

To be honest, it is only now since Jaden has been more competent in the pool that I would go with the two of them. Firstly, because my children are very close in age it has not been possible - I either take my husband Johnny, or if he's working, one of the grandparents.

My top tip is that if you've got two children it's good to have an extra person around, so get your partner, a friend or member of the family to go with you.

 

Do you have any advice or top tips for mums who are about to go on their first swim with their little one?

I remember the first time I took Jaden swimming it was quite daunting. The whole experience the first time can be quite daunting. You have to get them ready beforehand, there's the actual swimming and then getting them ready afterwards as well. You've also got to have your shower and get yourself ready too. It's multi-tasking to the max really, so allow extra time to avoid changing room woes!

My advice for a mum going on her first baby swim is try and be relaxed about the whole experience. Your baby will pick up feelings, so I think the key is just to relax.

Like most things when you have babies thinking ahead and being prepared can help a lot. If you are already dressed in your swimming costume it's a lot easier to get ready at the pool.

For my first swim with Star-Lily I just went for it, I took her on her own for the first time… and she loved it, we haven't looked back since.

I take the car seat in the changing room with me, so I can put Star-Lily in there while I get ready, it might sound a bit funny but it really helps with the balancing act of getting changed and holding Star.

I think that's the key - get them ready, put them in the car seat or the buggy and then get yourself ready.