Babies, Water, and the Myths We Carry
We are so fortunate to have Hannah Freeman and Held In Water right here in our community. Hannah has been teaching babies and young children to love and trust the water for over 20 years, and her approach is calm, relationship-based, and rooted in safety and developing true water confidence. She taught both of my kids to swim, and what she gave them was so much more than a skill — it was a lifelong love of swimming and a deep confidence in the water. I’m especially excited about her newest offering, Baby’s First Bath (Bath Babies) — a four-week, in-person experience for babies ages 0–6 months and their caregivers. This beautiful program offers a slow, supportive introduction to water through gentle handling, simple rituals, and practices you can bring home, all designed to support bonding and nervous system regulation in the earliest months of life. Below, Hannah shares some of the common myths we carry about babies and water. If you have babies or toddlers, be sure to explore her offerings through Held In Water — they are truly something special.
January 20, 2026
Water is often treated as something babies need to wait for but biologically, water is where life begins. Long before birth, babies are shaped by water, movement, and warmth. When we understand this, many of the fears around babies and water begin to soften.
Here are a few common myths I hear from parents and what we know to be true.
Myth #1: Babies shouldn’t be in water until they’re older
Babies can be in water from the time they are born. In practice, many programs — including ours — begin around four weeks old, not because babies aren’t ready, but to allow mothers time to rest and recover before re-entering the world.
Early water experiences are not about swimming. They are about bonding, nervous system regulation, warmth, and familiarity. When water is introduced gently and with support, it can be deeply calming for both baby and caregiver.
Myth #2: Babies shouldn’t bathe very often
You may have heard that babies shouldn’t be bathed more than once or twice a week. This is often misunderstood.
Babies do not need to be cleaned with soap frequently gentle soap or shampoo a few times a week is plenty. However, babies can enjoy warm water baths daily, or even twice a day, if desired.
Simple baths in warm water support relaxation, digestion, sleep, and sensory development. Bathing does not equal “washing.” Warm water alone is often enough.
Myth #3: Babies can regulate water temperature like older children
Babies cannot regulate water temperature the way older children or adults can. Thermoregulation develops gradually, and most infants do not acclimate well to cooler water until around five to six months of age.
Because babies lose heat quickly, water for young infants should be warm and womb-like. Even water that feels comfortable to an adult can be stressful to a baby’s nervous system. Warmth supports learning, relaxation, and trust.
Beginning With Relationship
When we approach water with understanding of a baby’s developing body, water becomes a place of connection rather than fear.
That philosophy is the foundation of First Waters, our baby bath experience designed for newborns through toddlers.
First Waters registration is open now, and classes begin in February.
Held In Water Swim School is closed for the winter months. We plan to reopen our swim program weather permitting in late March, with registration opening in early March for ages six months to four years.
Summer registration opens in May, with classes beginning in July for ages six months to eight years.
Water belongs to us from the very beginning — and it’s never too early to begin that relationship with care.
