Ice Swimming
Introducing your baby to the swimming pool is a crucial step in their swim training development if you want them to be comfortable around the water. Swim training is an important life skill that cannot be learned if your child has a fear of the water. In most cases, at around six – months of age, babies are ready to begin swim training and be introduced to the swimming pool.
Tip: Prior to the swimming pool you can use the bathtub as a way to get your baby adjusted to the feeling of water. Keep a positive attitude with happy, soothing voice tones.
- Enroll in an infant swimming class (optional). Many local community swimming pools or pools at the gym will have a class for parents and babies. It will help if your baby can see other babies entering the swimming pool for the first time. This swim training class will help your baby’s comfort level and socialization skills.
- Make sure you are introducing your baby to a clean pool with warmer water. Babies prefer water temperatures to be 80 degrees or above with zero or little wind. The chlorine levels should be at 1.0 PPM and the pH balance should be between 7.4 and 7.6.
- Make sure there are no other kids jumping in or making loud noises near your area. A calm water surface and quiet atmosphere are best. At this point your baby has established a bond of trust with you and holding the baby securely will help ease adjustments to the new swimming pool environment.
- Make sure your baby has the proper swim attire prior to entering the water. Swim diapers are a good idea and will keep any bathroom incidents out of the water. You can save money by purchasing a reusable swim diaper.Tip: Swim Diaperliners with fabric covers are best for extra protection against a diaper leak.
- Having the proper swim training gear is always recommended. Even small babies should be wearing a flotation device of some sort. Swim gear for babies and toddlers comes in many sizes and making sure they fit correctly can prevent drowning.
- Keep the swimming pool environment fun and interactive. With pool toys like Swimways Swimming Nemo & Squirt, playing with pool toys can be a healthy activity that will help with their motor skills and development.
- Use swim gear like a kickboard. Teaching a baby to kick her or his legs and paddle for movement can be made easy with a kickboard. Kickboards also teach babies valuable growth skills like balance.Tip: Another floatation device can work for this too as long as it lies flat and provides support for the baby’s weight on the water.
- Practice makes perfect. The more you take your baby into the swimming pool the more confident and exploratory they will become. Babies naturally know to hold their breath under water as long as the submersion is slow and they are brought back up quickly. For fast swim training, try to practice fifteen minutes per day, four times per week.
You as the parent are there for your child as a support system and as supervision as they gain water confidence. Keep these swim training and water safety tips in mind while introducing your baby to the swimming pool.
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