Teaching Babies to Swim

Babies love the water for the most part. They either like it or they don’t. If your child loves the water than you can teach him/her to swim as early as you would like. How you teach swimming is very important. If swimming is not taught correctly babies and children can develop a phobia. Teachers have to understand the importance of not rushing their students as they do not want fears to develop.

Baby swimming is an exciting and rewarding activity that you can do with your baby from as early as you wish. The only proviso is that the water is warm enough. If it is too cold they will not like it. You need to make sure it is warm but not hot. Babies are born with a mammalian dive reflex which means they naturally hold their breath when submerged. However, in many ways this reflex is immaterial as the lessons mean they very quickly learn to hold their breath anyway through word association.

When the weather is warm and children are outdoors frequently, water safety becomes a serious concern for parents. Whether you live or are vacationing near a pool, lake, or even a small stream, vigilance and taking proper precautions are essential for avoiding tragic accidents.

The younger the baby, of course, the more closely you’ll need to monitor the reaction to the water, and the more careful you’ll need to be about the chill that can occur when wet skin hits cooler air. Keep in mind that your baby will chill before you do, and if your baby is shivering or his lips look blue, he should have been out of the water some time ago. Quickly wrap him up and warm him. When taking your baby for a swim, make sure he isn’t hungry or tired so that he and you can both enjoy the water. Avoid taking a swim immediately after your baby has been fed.

Very young babies don’t really need any floats or swimming aids, since they will not be out of your arms at any time (right?). If you decide to let your older baby float around in a baby boat or swim ring, always keep in mind that these are not designed for safety or protection; you should keep your hands and eyes on your baby at all times.

No matter how many swim classes your baby has had, and no matter what his comfort and skill levels while in the water are, and no matter what kind of swimming float he is wearing, you should never, ever leave your baby unattended while in or near water – not for even a second. Babies are unpredictable.

Do keep in mind some common sense advice, however.

*Small children with colds and flus should refrain from water activity. If your child is prone to ear infections, seek the doctor’s approval before he takes the plunge.
*Don’t submerge a baby’s face. Swallowing water can cause water intoxication, a watering down of the blood that produces nausea, weakness, convulsions, and even coma.
*A baby who does not maintain good head control should never be taken into a pool. His head may bob under by accident, so wait until he is stronger.

Lastly, have fun with your baby, but do not expect to “teach” him swimming skills. Allowing your child to feel comfortable and safe in the water is the first and most important step in his water safety training.