The purpose of the thesis was to examine parental experiences of baby swimming. The thesis was conducted in Hämeenlinna recreation centre and the target group were parents and babies attending baby swimming organized by Hämeenlinna Swimming Association. The thesis aimed at developing baby swimming so that it would better correspond to families’ needs.

The theoretical basis for this thesis consisted of previous findings and literature on baby swimming and physical, psychological and social growth of an under one-year-old child. The research was qualitative, while analytical procedures of quantitative research were also used as support. The research material was gathered by sending a questionnaire to all parents who started baby swimming during autumn 2014. Inductive content analysis was used as the analysis method.

Baby swimming was found to have immediate influence on child’s growth and the bond between family members. The parents believed the baby swimming exercises also affected the child’s learning at home, through plays and songs which were familiar from the baby swimming. Most of the respondents thought that water as an element and environment of the baby swimming helps in new learning situations. Some of the parents had more experience of baby swimming which showed in the results as the quantity of research material.

Based on the results, many parents found that baby swimming has a positive impact on child’s growth and believed that it will affect the child’s development as well as water safety even at a later stage in life. Overall, the parents regarded baby swimming as a joyful, mutual hobby for the whole family.