Buzz
Should infants start swimming early? Is infant swimming risky? These are common concerns among many parents as more people are enrolling their children in swimming classes. Especially as it's a highly regarded form of exercise for infant development. Let's address these questions in the following article.
Should infants start swimming early?
Starting infants with swimming is often viewed as a risky endeavor by many. They believe babies aren't mature enough to grasp the necessary skills for swimming.
However, science has shown that swimming is instinctual for each child. Since they're exposed to the aquatic environment even before birth. Therefore, introducing babies to water with safety measures brings numerous benefits for their future. That's why in Western countries, parents pay great attention to early swimming lessons.
According to Dr. Dinh Thac, Head of Social Work Department at Children's Hospital 1: 'Infants have natural reflexes when exposed to water. Therefore, babies can instinctively close their mouths and windpipe to prevent water from entering their lungs.'
Experts have studied and found that when in water, infants will reflexively move their arms and legs to avoid submersion. Thus, babies under 2 months old can swim without any swimming lessons. However, because infants are not fully developed in terms of cognition and physicality, parents need to be particularly cautious.
When can babies start swimming lessons?
Swimming is a natural reflex for infants. However, the most suitable time for parents to start developing this skill is around 6 months old. At this age, the baby's neck, arms, and legs are stronger. Therefore, parents can begin teaching swimming techniques, kicking water, and getting accustomed to the water.
For mothers who want to swim, they should also wait until their bodies have fully recovered. If the mother gave birth naturally, she should wait until about 6 weeks after childbirth. In the case of a cesarean section, the mother should ensure that the incision has completely healed before entering the water to avoid postpartum infections.
Benefits of Early Swimming for Infants
Early swimming for infants is considered a comprehensive developmental support method. It not only enhances health but also promotes the best motor skills development.
Helps Your Child Learn to Swim Faster
Early swimming lessons will help children learn to swim faster by improving their water reflexes. As a result, the baby's swimming lessons will progress more quickly, especially as the baby grows and develops fully in terms of cognition and physicality.
Furthermore, early swimming also greatly supports the baby's development process. Babies will have the ability to crawl, flip, crawl, walk, etc., earlier.
Stimulates Physical and Intellectual Development
Early swimming is also one of the ways to better support baby's brain development. Swimming stimulates the motor nervous system, exploring new activities that increase excitement. These factors stimulate the young brain, making babies curious and eager to explore their surroundings. Consequently, the baby's brain will develop and become smarter.
Moreover, developing quick reflexes also impacts the formation of the child's personality later on. Energetic and lively children will have cheerful, positive, and sociable personalities.
Boosts Confidence
Confidence is a crucial factor in a child's development. Confidence helps children enjoy exploring the world around them, promoting their most comprehensive development. This helps cultivate the child's perseverance and patience.
Furthermore, the child not only encounters a new environment but also interacts with many others besides parents. Therefore, early swimming also helps children become more confident, improving their communication and social skills.
Enhances Exceptional Height Development
Swimming is not only beneficial for young children but also for adolescents and individuals over 25 years old. Consistently maintaining the habit of swimming is an effective way to increase height. When swimming, the joints are vigorously stimulated, especially the spine. This is a crucial factor in height development.
According to experts, children who start swimming early will stimulate exceptional height development. Numerous studies have shown that individuals who swim regularly, especially those who learn to swim early, tend to have superior height.
Self-Protection in Emergency Situations
This is one of the most practical benefits and reasons why many parents should enroll their children in swimming lessons. The drowning rate among Vietnamese children is very high, especially in the summer. Therefore, teaching infants to swim is also a way for them to protect themselves at an early age.
Safety Guidelines for Infant Swimming
Before teaching infants to swim, mothers need to pay special attention to some guidelines, as the immune system and physical condition of young children are very delicate. Here are some guidelines mothers should note:
Check the Water Temperature
This is the first safety guideline mothers need to know when teaching infants to swim. Before the baby enters the pool, mothers need to check if the water is warm enough. Suitable temperature will help the baby move better in the water. Also, warm water will protect the baby's body, especially from getting cold. The optimal temperature for infants to swim is 32°C for babies 6 months and under.
Monitor the Swimming Process Closely
Infants are too small and cannot be aware of the danger on their own, so parents need to observe carefully throughout the baby's swimming process. It is best to have infants swim under the guidance of a professional instructor and under parental supervision.
Limit Time in the Pool for Infants
Infants are different from adults. They cannot signal to parents when they feel cold or uncomfortable in the water. Therefore, parents need to observe carefully. If they notice the baby shivering from cold, they should immediately take the baby out of the water. Use a soft towel to dry the baby and keep them warm to prevent heat loss.
Infants lose heat more quickly than adults, so parents should only keep them in the water for about 10 minutes, avoiding prolonged exposure. As the baby grows older, around 1 year old and becomes more accustomed to water, parents can extend the swimming time to 20 minutes. However, the time the baby spends in the water should not exceed 30 minutes.
Safe Methods for Teaching Infant Swimming
Before teaching a baby to swim, parents should introduce them to water by letting them bathe in a basin or bathtub. Once the baby gets used to it, parents can start teaching basic swimming skills as follows:
Teaching Infant to Jump into Water
Teaching infants to jump into water is the first and crucial basic skill for them to get acquainted with, engage with, and enter water safely. Mothers can start by introducing babies to water from their feet. Then, the mother enters the water first and becomes a support point to encourage the baby to jump into the water. Mothers should cheer loudly, '1 2 3 jump,' or any other slogan to prepare the baby mentally and should support the baby during the initial jumps to prevent fear. Later, babies can jump into the water on their own, but mothers should still observe and monitor them throughout the swimming process.
Breath Training
Blowing bubbles is the best way to help babies get used to breathing in water. This will help babies develop the reflex to breathe out instead of swallowing water. In fact, babies enjoy splashing water, so this exercise with infants is not too difficult but rather enjoyable.
Continuous Submerging and Emerging
Teaching babies to continuously submerge and emerge is a skill mothers need to teach when swimming. When teaching this skill, mothers need to hold the baby's body, then cheer loudly, '1,2,3 dip,' then the baby also dips into the water and quickly lifts up. Repeating this action many times will help babies get used to breathing underwater. When the baby becomes more confident, let them submerge without the mother's intervention. However, mothers should still submerge with the baby to ensure safety.
The next skill after the baby becomes accustomed to breathing underwater is moving in the water. This skill will help the baby move to safe positions or specific locations they desire.
To guide the child in this movement, the mother should stand facing or beside the baby with both hands securely holding the child's armpits. Then slowly move the child forward in the water. During practice, teach the child how to kick their feet. When the baby becomes more accustomed, the mother can loosen her grip. After several attempts, the mother can release her hands entirely and let the child move towards her.
Guiding the Child to Reach a Safe Edge
This is the final skill the mother needs to teach the baby to complete the swimming lesson safely. When guiding the child to move in the water, try to bring the child closer to the edge so they understand it's a safe location. Then teach the child how to feel for and follow the steps in the pool or the pool's edge to climb out. The mother should be behind to provide support and ensure the child's safety.
With the tangible benefits mentioned above, mothers surely understand whether or not to introduce their infants to swimming early. Alongside these basic swimming techniques, mothers can be completely assured of their baby's safety in the water. If there are still concerns, mothers can seek the assistance of professional coaches to ensure absolute safety for their babies during swimming lessons.
