THESE water babies may be in at the DEEP END but the dedicated swimmers take more than a SHALLOW interest in their sport. These pictures show babies taking to the water at London Baby Swim in Osterley, West London. The specialist centre - catering for the smallest and youngest of swimmers - is making waves with parents keen to give their babies water skills as soon as physically possible, from just six weeks old. Their current baby adapted pool is such a hit with water-mad parents the centreʼs owners have decided to be open the UKʼs first fully purpose built swim centre in Wandsworth, South London, designed only for babies in the new year. Baby Swim London Operations Directors, Phil Shaw, 51, and Ana Torres, 36, are confident that after being in their motherʼs womb babies have what it takes to be suited to a swimming pool. “After nine months in a water environment means babies are perfectly prepared to swim from birth,” explained Phil. “Most parents sign their children up for baby swimming because they want them to be safe around water, an obvious choice. “Once they start a course they start to discover the other hidden benefits mentioned above. “Babies have a natural ability for swimming, having a different reflex that makes them perfect candidates for swimming. “Healthy babies are born with extremely sophisticated natural reflexes that protect them from any harm and are very important as they promote their survival. “At London Baby Swim we work around these reflexes to turn them into deliberate actions." The 10,000 gallon pool will be heated to a pleasant 33 degrees Celsius and the four foot deep water will take classes of up to eight babies at a time – all performing turns, submersions and floating techniques. Special UV light is used to keep the water clean and reduce the amount of chlorine used for a pool that is friendly to sensitive babiesʼ skin. Philʼs expertise in baby swimming has led him to understand exactly how babies are naturally able to take to the water. “A babiesʼ gag reflex is activated when water enters the mouth,” he said. “Parts of the throat called the glottis and epiglottis close to prevent water from entering. “This provides a watertight seal to the lungs while your baby is submerged. “This is why you often see babies swimming with their mouths open. “Babies also have what is called ʻthe amphibian reflexʼ. “This is an involuntary movement of their arms, legs and torso, which help us to introduce turns, rotations and kicking in our lessons.” All London Baby Swim instructors take a special five week induction course - which costs up to £114 - to ensure they know exactly how to manage babies in the pool. Through their work Phil and Ana have noticed the benefits that swimming can bring to very young babies. “With London Baby Swim courses, we are helping babies to make new brain connections and strengthen their learning through exercise and stimulation,” said Phil. “Introducing babies to swimming early improves babies and children's development in many areas - such as physically, intellectually, language development, emotionally and socially. “We are very proud to see not only how much the babies enjoy the classes but how they improve their abilities in the water.” For more information please visit: www.londonbabyswim.co.uk