Woman launches new programme in Inverness to help babies learn to love water
A swimming instructor is launching a new programme to introduce babies to water.
Baby swimming teacher and first aid trainer Kayleigh McDine (26), who works with children in pools across the Highlands and Moray, is inviting new parents to join her Baby Bath sensory classes for youngsters from six weeks to five months.
After training to become a qualified practitioner with Aqua Sensory, she has sold out the first sessions, which will be held near Elgin, with new slots available for April and a plan to bring courses to the Inverness area soon.
Ms McDine said: “I just feel that parents have missed out so much by not being able to get to the pool with their children and having these early water experiences.
“I thought that I’d really love to do something on dry land with water just to show parents what things they can do in the bath, beyond hygiene purposes.
“As a mum, I know how stressful it can be to wash a baby. You take this little bundle of joy home, and you don’t quite know what to do. It can be overwhelming, and I have had lots of parents tell me they don’t quite know what to do when their babies are not enjoying the bath.
“My thought was to get a group of parents and show what they can do in the bath with simple objects like a scarf or a cup, or turning it into a baby massage experience. I’d love to create a space just allowing parents to catch up, speak to other parents and at the same time have a very nice introduction to baby swimming without going to the swimming pool.”
Ms McDine predominantly works in Inverness and currently collaborates with Swimtime Scotland for sessions at the Jury’s Inn, where she works with babies, toddlers and primary school children.
She said: “When I first started taking my daughter swimming she was just four weeks old, but we couldn’t find any lessons in Elgin, where we lived, so we had to drive all the way to Inverness.
“It was worth it, swimming has so many benefits for both parents and their babies and it was just the highlight of our week.
“Eventually I decided to retrain as a swimming teacher as I wanted to go back to work, but also find something that is a bit more flexible and which I loved.”
For more information and bookings visit her Facebook page, Swim with Kayleigh.
