FAQ: Can Children Eat Before Swimming Lessons?

Can your children eat before attending SwimWay swimming lessons? Many people remember the advice that you shouldn’t eat before swimming. However, whether or not this is an old wives’ tale has come up on several occasions!

eating before swimming lessons

We would recommend that you treat your swimming lessons like any other prolonged physical activity. Leave at least an hour between eating anything substantial and the start of your lesson (45 mins for fluid/milk). This should help avoid cramping/expulsions. Light meals or snacks should be fine, but it is always best to err on the side of caution.

If you are attending a parent & baby swimming lesson it is more important. This is because the child is likely to burp/swallow as they get used to going under the water. So it is best to avoid feedings for an hour before the class.

Ultimately, it is up to you to know your child’s requirements and digestive needs. It is extremely important to strike the right balance to avoid burping up or vomiting in the water. These kinds of expulsions can lead to costly lesson cancellations if you eat before swimming lessons.

After the lesson, your children will have used a lot of energy and are likely to be hungry, so keeping snacks handy is a good idea. Although please note that no food or drink is permitted to be consumed on the poolside (other than water or baby milk).

Click here to learn more about our swimming lessons, and click here to contact us if you have any further queries!