Huggies Little Swimmers

On Tuesday, Nate and myself made our way to Wimbledon for an event held by Huggies Little Swimmers, from North West London on no less than three trains. Nate loved all of the changes although he was a little disappointed that the last train wasn't a "blue one".

We got to the venue which was a beautiful house with lovely grounds and of course a swimming pool. I was handed a name badge and a coffee. Nate who is always a little shy to begin with started to warm up and talk to people. 

Soon Nate realised there was a back garden and somehow managed to encourage Izzy (photographer) to go on an adventure outside and look at the ponds. Thank you, Izzy! He came back and I had to go on the same exploration and than he encouraged Little Pip and her mum to do the same. 

It soon came time to get into the pool. 

We tried out the Hygiene Mat which I wish we'd had when Nate first started swimming, and as long time users of Huggies Little Swimmers, Nate knew the drill for getting into his Little Swimmers. We started taking Nate to swimming lessons from 9 weeks old as its an important skill that lasts a lifetime, and we are glad we did as he is so confident around water.

We all got into the pool and had great fun taking part in a session suitable for 14week olds all the way up to nearly 3 year olds by Swimming Nature. Little Pip and Nate then got the opportunity to wear the lovely flowery swim hat that appears in the Little Swimmers advert. 

After swimming we were treated to a lovely lunch and a massage for the adults. 

As we left Nate noticed my name badge and asked what it said. I read "Lou & Nate" and he replied "that's half of Louise, mummy, Lou is half of Louise"

Thank you to everyone from Tuesday we had a great time and I loved the geeky chat about nappy chassis'.

Speedo's Underwater World Event

Nate's dad has complained saying he doesn't get mentioned in my blog very often, if at all, so with this post I'll be mentioning him.

We were invited to the Speedo's underwater world event on Tuesday, there was a swimming lesson to begin with and then a free swim. The swimming lesson was very different to the swimming lessons we are used to and contained a few new ideas for us to try while swimming with Nate on our own. However, there were huge floats in the pool so Nate wasn't that interested in swimming he wanted to sit on an Orca. So when it was time for the free swim, I had to find one of the inflatables for him to play with.

Nate meeting the Sea Squad (he was terrified of them really)

In the pool as well as there being inflatables there were also other toys which were being used in the course of the lesson, the Sea Squad squirty toys were being used in Nate's lessons to get the children reaching for the toys as well as the Sea Squad Water Balls which they were encouraging the children to throw and swim for them, we really liked the Water Balls as balls to play with in the pool, so will be getting some of those for Nate's swimming sessions.

Enjoying the inflatables.

It was great to see how the bigger children were being taught in some instances it was 1 on 1 tuition and the children were doing really well with the instructors from what I could see. 

Have a look at Nate's dad's drawing that was inspired by this event. 

Baby Swimming

Just before his first swimming lesson

I've realised I haven't posted much about swimming and swimming is a big part of Nate's life. Nate started swimming at 9 weeks old, we both enjoyed the swimming lessons it was very relaxing in the water especially as the water was warm.

Underwater

At 3 months old he went on his first underwater photo shoot. We started swimming with Little Dippers and took part in the photo shoot with them as well. Take a look at the photographers other underwater work, Zac Macaulay.

Swimming on holiday in the pool

We continued swimming until Nate finished Stage 7 of the Little Dippers course. After that we decided to take him swimming outside of lessons, unfortunately we didn't keep it up. Mainly I didn't enjoy being cold and as Nate was beginning to want his own freedom in the water the children's pool was always full.

Then a heated pool opened up near us, with the Little Dippers taking lessons there along with the Little Swim School so we decided to take Nate along. It took Nate a couple of weeks to get used to swimming again but he really started to enjoy it.

While on holiday Nate was either in the sea or the pool most days and was really swimming, it really surprised me that he could get to me from the side of the pool with little help from me. I just had to pick him up when he got to me.



I don't know if swimming has helped his confidence but Nate is a very confident little boy especially around water. He can happily get himself in the pool and hold on to the side and if the side is low enough he can climb back out.

He got himself in the pool...

and then out again.

Nate wasn't very sure of the sea and it took most of the time we were there for him to happily swim between us. Instead he favoured holding on to my back while I swam.

All in all we have loved our swimming lessons, in the beginning it was a good way to make friends with other mums but it has soon grown into something Nate loves and asks to do all the time.