Swimming lessons for new born baby swimmers can be both rewarding and enjoyable experiences, for both parent and infant alike. But before enrolling them in classes it is essential that parents understand certain details regarding water safety.
Your baby has spent nine months suspended in amniotic fluid, creating natural buoyancy which allows them to feel at home in water environments.
Safety First
As soon as you watch your little one splashing happily in the bath, it can be hard to resist signing them up for swim lessons. But remember: infant swim lessons should serve only to teach water safety – not as a replacement for safe playtime in the tub!
When selecting an aquatic facility for infant swimming lessons, make sure the pool is clean, with clear water free from strong odors, ideally heated at least 30 degrees and has dedicated lifeguard. Cold pools can pose serious danger to babies and toddlers who are new to swimming; inexperienced swimmers could quickly develop hypothermia.
Newborns and toddlers can quickly become overwhelmed during their first swimming class, especially if they’re unfamiliar with its bustling atmosphere. Arriving early can help soothe nerves and give time for adjustment before class begins.
Baby swimming classes can provide parents and babies alike with an unforgettable bonding experience. Infants in particular often look forward to their next session and express excitement to their caregivers about attending them! But parents should also be wary that such positive reinforcement could encourage children to act independently in the water, increasing the risk of drowning.
Parents are recommended to remain present when their child is swimming until he or she reaches at least three years of age and limit infant or very young child’s time in the water to no more than 10 minutes; also it would be beneficial if an infant was wrapped up as soon as he or she exits a pool in a towel to protect from cold.
Flotation Devices
When it comes to infants, babies, and toddlers using floating devices, we advise parents and guardians to limit their use as much as possible. Flotation devices give children a false sense of security in the water which leads to overconfidence around bodies of water and dependency on these floatation devices preventing kids from learning the fundamental skills of swimming such as entering/exiting water safely as well as floating backwards.
Particularly, we advise avoiding puddle jumpers and arm floaties; these inflatable arm bands that provide flotation similar to life vests should only be used when absolutely necessary to aid a child in swimming journey and should never replace approved flotation devices such as life vests or life rafts.
Inflatable neck floats are another device we advise against using. Resembling inner tubes, these inflatable devices fit around an infant’s neck to keep their head above water while being used in bathtubs, pools and even water therapy sessions. However, due to reports of one death and several hospitalizations of infants using neck floats, the Food and Drug Administration issued a warning about them. As with anything inflatable, inflatable floats pose the risk of springing a leak or deflating suddenly, potentially placing infants at risk of drowning. Furthermore, they can cause neck traction injuries to infants and small children with developmental disabilities such as spina bifida, spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 1, cerebral palsy and Down syndrome.
Note that no flotation device should serve as a replacement for constant, adult supervision of all children in or near any body of water, even those who consider themselves adept swimmers; drowning can happen very suddenly and in an instant.
Be Prepared
Make sure you arrive prepared when taking your infant to swim lessons aimed specifically at infants or general pool sessions, as babies tend to be unpredictable about what they need from such experiences. Anticipate what’s best for both of you in terms of maximizing this learning experience for both of you.
An essential item is a towel for both of you to share and something to wipe any excess water from their faces after class. After nine months living suspended in amniotic fluid, babies can sometimes feel disoriented when transitioning back to life on dry land; having something soft to wrap them in can help them feel secure again and feel relaxed again.
Be sure to bring a water bottle filled with something liquid for keeping your baby hydrated; young babies can find it difficult to regulate their body temperatures in water environments. Also bring along an outfit change and bag for everything when finished; lotion can help soothe chlorinated water off their skin!
Before enrolling your infant in swim lessons, it is essential that you consider their developmental stage and any medical concerns. Very young infants may be susceptible to swallowing too much water at once; furthermore, their neurological development may prevent them from comprehending the safety lessons taught during lessons. It is recommended to start your baby in lessons at around six months. Please remember that touch supervision must always be provided when near or in the water (even during lessons)!
Arrive Early
Make sure that you give yourself enough time for preparations before their swimming lessons to create the optimal learning environment for them. Arriving early gives your infant an opportunity to bond with both the instructor and pool environment before class begins; this familiarity can make learning easier while alleviating anxiety in the water.
Babies tend to be extremely curious about water and may take to it right away, while others might require gentle coaxing into it. Always pay attention to your child’s signals and don’t force them into situations they seem uncomfortable in.
Drowning can happen quickly and is especially dangerous for babies due to limited neck control. Even just an inch of water could lead to them choking or drowning; thus it is crucial that you keep your baby within arm’s reach while in or near water (touch supervision) at all times and never leave them unsupervised near water sources.
Swimming lessons provide multiple advantages for young babies beyond safety concerns. Swimming classes help accelerate lung and heart development, improve coordination skills and build muscle strength; furthermore they may also aid healthy weight gain as well as better sleeping patterns.
One of the greatest benefits of swimming lessons for your infant or toddler is building their confidence and teaching them essential swimming skills that will aid their independence, while simultaneously giving them a sense of achievement that can increase self-esteem. While their first few times may be daunting, once familiarized they will find it an enjoyable and pleasurable activity!
Be Consistent
Drowning is an alarming concern for parents, and one reason many opt to enroll their babies in swimming lessons. Not only can infant swim lessons teach water safety skills that may reduce drowning risks, they can also help familiarize your baby with being around water and reduce any fears they might have in it. Experts remain divided as to whether infant swim classes actually reduce these risks; nonetheless they provide invaluable experience easing any fears about how deep water can get.
Newborn swimming lessons in warm pools offer the ideal way for parents and babies alike to bond while encouraging physical and cognitive development in an enjoyable and secure environment. Through songs and movements designed specifically to keep babies safe in water environments.
Your child will soon gain the skills needed to enjoy swimming lessons without your constant assistance, while making new friends in their class. Soon they may even be able to sit comfortably on the ledge instead of needing you as much.
If you decide to enroll your child in swimming lessons, make sure that their location disinfects and chlorinates their pools to avoid them ingesting too much water or suffering hypothermia.
Some babies may be sensitive to chlorine, so if that is the case for yours, look for places offering ozone or UV-free pools instead.
If your baby is at risk of drowning during group classes, private swim lessons might be more expensive than public pools. When choosing this route, make sure that their teacher has experience working with babies and is willing to work closely with your child until they feel secure in the water.