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Baby and toddler Swimming questions and answers
We run our own Baby and Young Children Swim School and have included information that we hope you will find useful. We highly recommend that the best way to learn is under expert tuition such as a properly trained and qualified baby swim school, and your child should always be in the care and supervision of an adult. If you have further questions, please speak with your swim school or swimming venue as they will have their own set of rules along with local knowledge about the swimming pool, how the classes are run, if the venue has changing mats, and what your baby could wear.
What is Baby Swimming?
Baby swimming represents a parent and child programme of movement using experienced guidance in warm water up to chest or shoulder height, taught in groups in a playful atmosphere. It also encourages free movement in the water that could eventually lead to a child working safely across the pool unaided when they are in their third year of life (if swimming regularly from a baby). It is a very rewarding, bonding and special place for parents and their children. You could attend your local Mums and Babies splash time session, or a structured and organised Baby Swim Class.
Benefits of taking your children swimming
Swimming is such an excellent environment to exercise heart and lungs, muscles, co-ordination and connection tissues; parent and baby bonding; helps to recapture stages of motor development in premature babies; children sleep longer and more deeply after swimming; movement of the water stimulates the nerve fibres lying under the skin creating a relaxing effect. Babies who develop their swimming abilities are often more alert for their age, with a better eating and sleeping pattern.
Bonding
There is a feeling of love and security in the water and it is the best and most efficient foundation for the skills that will enable children to eventually swim and to become safe in the water. A baby is familiar with water as it was lodged safely in the waters of the womb and is one of the reasons why most babies have such a positive reaction from being in the water. Baby swimming consciously strengthens the parent-child relationship and through early contact with other babies of the same age will further your baby's development particularly in the personality, social and motor skills.
Is baby swimming safe?
Yes, if it is done in a controlled manner using the correct techniques. Baby swimming is taught and practised all over the world. Many Baby Swim Schools and swimming authorities recognise the invaluable head start this can give children.
What can you tell me about immunisations?
Medical reports state that it is perfectly acceptable for a baby who has not been immunised to swim in a chlorinated pool. You may want to visit www.immunisation.org.uk or should you have any doubts about taking your baby swimming, please contact your Doctor or Health Visitor for guidance. Some babies may not feel like swimming for a few days after immunisation.
Reflex movements to conscious movements of arms and legs
Initially, a baby's swimming arms and legs movements are instinctive and reflex movements (like a frog's leg movements) and it can appear that they are swimming. These reflexes can be stimulated as preparation for unaided swimming in the future from around the third year of life. It is based on encouraging the development of a newborn baby's natural swimming reflex in water into a conscious movement of the legs and arms. Qualified and trained swim schools will help to develop techniques that help to substain and build the reflexes in younger babies to the natural development of voluntary arm and leg movements in the water, and then to your toddler swimming.
When will my baby swim unaided?
This will vary depending on when your baby starts swimming lessons and on their physical development. Most babies are able to swim a short distance underwater towards their parent by about 18 - 22 months using their own style of propulsion (if they have started before 5-6 months). Most toddlers who have attended Baby Swimming classes may start little swims just before they are 2 years old and consolidate their swimming in their third year. It is a committment, and those parents that attend classes every week (except obviously when sick) do tend to see greater progressions than those that turn up sporadically.
My child is a toddler and we have not taken them swimming before, or is nervous, or overconfident. Should we still go swimming?
Yes, yes and yes. At many specialised baby schools, the parent enters the water with their child and you are very much part of the teaching with your child and would probably work on confidence building for both parent and child. Some Baby Swim schools stop taking babies at around 12 months, others take them whatever age they start. In some schools, your child would start on their own without the parent usually from around aged 3 years old. Talk to your local authority to see if they hold sessions, or find a Swim School in your area.
What temperature should the water be?
For babies aged from birth up to 3 months old, then it is recommended that they swim in a pool heated to a minimum of 32 degrees. It is recommended that your baby is 3 months of age, or weighs over 12 lbs (5.5kg) to swim in water heated at 30 degrees. Some may feel the cold and we would recommend that all babies under 12 months wear a wetsuit (see below). It can help some children to wear a Baby or Toddler wetsuit to help keep your baby warmer for longer.
What should my baby wear in the pool?
It is becoming mandatory in many swimming pools and baby swim schools that babies use what is referred to as the double nappy system. This consists of a disposable swimmers nappy next to baby's skin, along with reusable swim nappy protection over the top. For infants under 12 months we recommend that they wear a Konfidence baby warma wetsuit if using a pool heated below 32 degrees. We also supply a one size adjustable swim nappy for toddlers up to 3 years old.
I can't swim, can I still teach my child to swim?
Yes! Many adults have successfully taught their children to swim. Many lessons are held in shallow pool areas and you walk with your baby around the pool. In structured classes, you would be shown how to hold your baby properly in water and to help you feel relaxed and content in the class.
Special needs
Children with special needs can benefit from swimming and it can complimement physiotherapy. Babies that wear a hip harness also benefit greatly from unrestricted movement in water. Please always discuss your child's particular needs with your Doctor and Swim School first.
Happy Swimming
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