Baby swim classes are an ideal way to gently introduce babies to water, and have fun.
Galway Baby Swim's babies never remember learning to swim, it is something they feel they have always been able to do.
Parents can help their baby discover the joys and benefits of being in the water, and watch with amazement as their swimming lessons take them from introducing their baby to water, to encouraging their baby to swim to safety on their own, and to learn swimming skills.
Water safety is a vital skill to learn and parents will not regret teaching their baby to swim at an early age.
Baby Swim is holding a six-week programme which starts Friday, September 1 at Ocean Fitness Salthill, with classes at 10.30am for babies new to swimming, and at 11.10am for babies who are comfortable in the water.
Mary Kenny is qualified with the Swimming Teachers' Association and Birthlight in baby and toddler swimming, and also the Halliwick method of swimming teaching. The Halliwick concept is an approach to teaching all people, in particular focusing on those with physical and/or learning difficulties, to participate in water activities, to move independently in water, and to swim.
Baby massage
Parents can also learn how to massage their babies. Infant massage classes are run over five weeks for parents and caregivers. Infant massage is suitable for all babies.
Mary, who is also a special needs assistant, loves working with babies with special needs, and individual classes are available in addition to group sessions.
Baby massage will teach parents how to massage and learn their baby's cues, and infant massage is covered by some health insurance policies.
Mary Kenny is a member of Baby Massage Ireland, the International Association of Infant Massage, and the Irish Massage Therapist Association. She established Eden Massage in 2001, and specialises in a range of techniques from relaxing aromatherapy massage to deep tissue sports massage.
Massage therapy is available at Dr Clare Apothecary, Sea Road, which also specialises in aromatherapy, Indian head massage, deep tissue massage, lymphatic cupping massage and pregnancy massage.
Massage therapy may also be covered by health insurance.
Visit the Facebook page/website for videos on baby swim and baby massage. Special needs babies are very welcome in swim and massage classes. For more information/online booking see www.edenmassagegalway.com
Contact Mary Kenny 087 9641246; Facebook Baby Swim Galway Infant Massage Galway.
