Tots across the country make a splash at Water Babies classes

Almost 50,000 tots a week across the UK are taking to the pools with Water Babies – and new figures show that’s up by a third in the past two years.

More than 2,000 enjoy being wonderfully wet in Scotland, with classes in places including Aberdeen, Dundee, Perth, Glasgow and Edinburgh.

“To see a baby as young as four months old learn so much and develop in the water is a beautiful thing,” said Wendy Lambie, from Water Babies Central Scotland.

“They can hold their breath, use their legs instinctively to kick and open their eyes to see everything going on around them.”

At the end of their first 10-week term, the babies take part in amazing underwater photo shoots to showcase their new skills.

We’ve been meeting some of the parents and splash-happy tots who are amazed at the benefits of the underwater world.

Bella Gillanders

Catherine and Martin Gillanders from Dalgety Bay are thrilled baby Bella has taken the plunge.

They reckon the pool sessions at a Dunfermline hotel are helping with her Down’s Syndrome as well as just being brilliant fun.

“We first took her when she was six months and we’re just starting our third block of lessons,” said Catherine, 39.

“It’s helping hugely with her development. Her communication is improving, she remembers what we’ve been doing and her leg and arm strength are getting better all the time.

“There’s also a brilliant social side with the other babies.”

Catherine, an air crew staff member with Loganair, says she was amazed at how quickly Bella was right in the thick of it. They have no fear at that age.

“I think we had her underwater as early as the second lesson. It’s good that they don’t have time to get fed-up.

“We sing the same kind of songs, like Humpty Dumpty, when we take them in the water, but there’s always something different.

“When I put her under the water now she kicks her legs to bring herself back up again.

“When you first release them on their own it’s terrifying. But it’s just a few seconds and you’re always right there.”

Archie Scott

Nicola Scott initially took baby Archie, now nine months, along for a bit of company and has seen him blossom.

“My partner and I are from Fife and now we’re in Stirling so we went for something to do and to meet other people.

“But the benefits are amazing. He was in there at four months and showing such confidence.

“I didn’t learn to swim until I was about 13 so it’s brilliant that he’s already so at home. I know it’ll help him swim.”

Cole Kennedy

Little Cole Kennedy has already achieved at just nine months what mum Frances, 31, has never managed – being happy in the water.

“I’ve never learned to swim,” admits Glasgow primary school teacher Frances.

“But although my partner can, I just wanted Cole to be safe in the water when we go on holiday.

“We’ve been going for 20 weeks now and he’s doing so well.

“I think because he was so young he still has that natural instinct of holding his breath.

“He can hold on at the side and it’s great feeling that if he did fall into water he’d know what to do.

“I’ll be starting back to work soon and we can’t go to the classes we used to.

“They’re really popular and we’re on the waiting list for weekend ones so we can keep it going.”

Esther Moody

Ten-month-old Esther Moody had followed in the splash strokes of big brother Josiah.

Mum Julie, 43, is a Church of Scotland minister in Milton of Campsie and Josiah’s pool joy encouraged her to have Esther sign up right away.

“Both of them were March babies and we had them in the water when classes started in August,” said Julie.

“Josiah must have had 100 lessons now and he can do so much.

“We knew we wanted Esther to do it and she’s has taken to it right away.

“She is so chilled and relaxed.

“One of the other little advantages is that they are used to having water over the faces so there are never any hair-washing tears at bathtime.”