Yes — and the earlier, the better. Babies are born with a natural affinity for water. Our sessions are designed from newborns up, using gentle, body-aware techniques that honor each stage of development. We move slowly, follow your baby's cues, and make sure both of you feel safe and held from the very first moment.

Yes. Caregivers are in the water for every class. You are your child's anchor — their sense of safety begins with you. The connection you build together in the water is not a side effect of our sessions, it is the whole point. Come ready to be in the water alongside your child.

Floaties lift a child's body into a position their nervous system doesn't actually understand — head up, feet dangling, core disengaged. They teach the body a shape it cannot hold on its own, and they create a dependency that disappears the moment the floatie comes off. When that happens at a lake, a party, or in a moment of surprise, the child's body has no true memory of what water actually feels like. That gap is where accidents happen. In our classes, we use fins when children are developmentally ready. Fins extend rather than lift — they keep the body in the position the water is asking for, and let a small body feel their own strength moving through it.

Fear is welcome here. We never force, rush, or push. Hannah's somatic approach is specifically designed to work with children carrying water anxiety — meeting them exactly where they are and building trust one gentle moment at a time. Many of our families come to us after a scary experience in the water. We know how to find our way back together.

Classes are held in Hood River, Oregon. Exact venue address — including parking information — is sent in your welcome email after you register through Jackrabbit. We use both a large pool and a warm therapy pool depending on the session.

Session dates, times, and enrollment windows are announced on our Instagram (@heldinwaters) and this website. The best way to never miss a spot is to join our email list — we send a heads-up before registration goes live. Spots fill quickly, so signing up early makes a real difference.

Absolutely. Hannah holds adaptive aquatics certification through Swim Angel Fish and has extensive experience supporting children with autism, trauma, sensory sensitivities, and physical delays. Every child is welcome here. If you'd like to talk through your child's specific needs before joining a group class, a private consultation with Hannah is available — reach out directly at hoodriver@heldinwaters.com or (800) 820-8210.