Baby and Swimming

by Heather Long | More from this Blogger

30 Jun 2006 05:45 AM

When it comes to learning how to swim, a lot of us want to wait until our babies are older - but swimming offers you a great way to contribute to your baby's development. There are many places where parents and baby can take infant and toddler swimming lessons together and there is plenty of documented evidence that swimming has a positive effect on your baby's development along with motor and cognitive skills.

Encourages Bonding

Swimming with your baby can encourage bonding between you. It's especially great for Dads who may be worried about not spending enough time with their babies. Water buoyancy is soothing to both you and your baby. Lessons in a heated pool offer a comfortable environment and there is a sense of patience that both you and your baby will develop.

When your baby is an infant and you are taking them swimming, they may experience some fear and you will be introducing them to the water in the safety of your arms. For many babies, this is the best way to be introduced to any new experience - the comfort of mommy and daddy goes a long way to encourage the soothing.

Your Diapered Dolphin

Once they are over their initial fears though, babies come to love water - they don't need the muscle strength in water to do things that they need on land. There are plenty of methods to help discourage the swallowing of water and its important to work with a licensed baby swimming instructor your first few times if you are looking for specific lessons.

Swim time is also a great time to teach socialization either with other babies or just with older children. Ultimately, however - swimming lessons with baby are about safety and teaching mom and dad about water safety with their infants and toddlers as much as anything else. But always put safety first and if you are uncertain in the water yourself, look into swim lessons for both of you.

Have you taken your baby or toddler swimming?

Learn more about Heather Long

Heather Long is 35 years old and currently lives in Wylie, Texas. She has been a freelance writer for six years. Her husband and she met while working together at America Online over ten years ago.

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Valorie Delp (49340) 30 Jun 2006 06:20 AM

Thanks Heather. . .We are trying to find a way to take all 5 of our kids--none of whom swim--to the pool regularly this summer! I'm hoping the twins will love the water. . .they love the bath!

Jaime Egan (2178) 06 Jul 2006 11:21 AM

We go to my aunt's house a few times per week. She has a four-foot-deep above-ground pool, so it is perfect for family swim time. Our daughter is 19 months old and is already comfortable being in the water with swimmies on. This is great bonding time for us and she loves it!