Holding Babies in the Water: Bath & Pool Holds for Comfort and Safety
One of the first steps in introducing your baby to the water is learning how to hold them safely and comfortably. The way you support your child in the bath or pool plays a huge role in helping them develop balance, buoyancy, breath control, and independence—all while keeping them calm and secure.
At watermellow, we teach parents a variety of holds that build comfort without taking away your child’s natural buoyancy in the water. Here’s a breakdown of the holds you can practice at home in the bath, and how they progress into the pool.
Start With Bath Holds
The bath is a gentle place to begin exploring the water together. In water holds encourage comfort, body awareness, and early breath control. Here are a couple examples to try out :
Move Onto Pool Holds
Once your baby is comfortable in the bath, these holds can be carried over into the pool. The main focus is helping your child stay relaxed, keeping their chin just above the surface, and practicing early breath control as water approaches their mouth or nose.
When practicing pool holds, you can use the Toward Hold, Hip Hold, Side Hold, or T-Shirt Hold. In each of these positions, keep your baby’s chin about 1” — 2” above the surface of the water. Move slowly and gently through the water, maintaining a calm and relaxed demeanour. As water approaches their mouth or nose, continue to encourage relaxation so they feel safe and supported.
At this stage, babies learn to breathe comfortably through their mouths rather than their noses. When water reaches their mouth or nose, they should naturally hold their breath. These early moments of breath control are key foundations for building water confidence and safety.
Why Holds Matter
Practicing these holds is about building trust and connection. When your baby feels secure in your arms, they gain the confidence to explore the water, relax their body, and start learning essential swimming foundations.
Every small step, whether it’s a cozy Lap Hold in the bath or a gentle Toward Hold in the pool, brings your baby closer to becoming a comfortable, confident little swimmer.
