Let’s face it: a newborn is practically unfit for most things that you can think of; however, once they are 3-4 months old, you can start preparing them for a few activities. For starters, most parents are keen to introduce their little one to the pool; it can prove to be a welcome respite amidst the sultry summers. Besides, the sooner you make water a familiar territory for an infant, the more comfortable they will be when learning to swim. Swimming, in fact, will come at a much later stage; but as a fundamental step, you should dispel their fear of water and instead encourage them to explore water, albeit in a safe manner.
Just make sure you adopt the necessary precautionary measures, and this learning experience of taking your newborn to the water can turn out to be quite enjoyable. Though you can take your baby to the pool when they are one or two months old, it is advisable to wait till they are at least six months old. Swim diapers are a must-have when you take them for a playful session at the pool. Besides the inability of babies to raise their heads, the risk of hypothermia is a prime concern. If you plan to take your baby to the water, ensure the water’s temperature is at least 89 to 94 degrees Fahrenheit. As soon as you notice them shivering, take them out of the water and wrap them in a warm towel. It is interesting to note that the loss of body heat in babies is much faster as compared to adults.
Why Should You Take Your Newborn to the Pool
By taking your newborn to the pool, you’re already opening the doors for them to socialize, as the baby can see new faces and hear new voices. This gives them a strong foundation for their speech and the development of language skills. They will get initiated into these when they are as little as two months old. Swimming lessons for children from an early age also have major physical benefits. For example, studies suggest that 5-year-old kids who had received swimming lessons from an infant stage had better balance and were more adept at grasping things as compared to kids who started late.
Taking your infant to the pool also prevents them from seeing water as an object of fear. Once they are familiar with water from a tender age, they won’t grow up to find water mysterious, scary, or threatening. Also, choose the right swim diapers to make swimming an enjoyable experience for them. The right swim diaper keeps your baby comfortable and happy.
Other Safety Precautions to Follow
- Touch supervision: you must practice touch supervision by maintaining contact or touch with your little one at all times. When you take your infant to the pool, make sure you are always within their arm’s length as long as they are in the water.
- Consider the temperature: you must take into account the water and air temperature before taking your child to the pool. During infancy, babies have high sensitivity to cold and heat. The fact that it’s difficult for them to regulate their body temperature is a significant concern when it comes to taking them to water. You should also have a towel close by. It is also worth noting whether by ‘water’ you mean a warm bath or an unheated pool outdoors. Babies lose body heat four times as fast as an adult, and when the water evaporates from wet skin, the heat loss happens much quicker.
- Multiple protective layers: water accidents can be kept at bay by putting several layers of safety precautions in place, including the use of barriers and alarms, besides supervision. Besides, it is also crucial for every family member to acquire water competency so that they are equipped to deal with drowning situations. As far as barriers are concerned, you should have childproof gates or fences installed around the pool and the surrounding area. Pool alarms should also be installed, alerting you when anything comes in contact with the water. These precautions can prevent aquatic emergencies when you’ve taken your infant to the pool.
All said and done, you should also consult your pediatrician regarding whether your baby is ready for swimming in the water. Swimming lessons should ideally start when the baby is one year old, but your pediatrician will be able to determine the best strategy for your little one. They can also recommend the right swim diapers for the babies. Even if you want to initiate healthy socialization for your baby at an early age and nip the fear of water in the bud, ensuring safety measures is paramount. Hope these tips help you to figure out the right time for your baby to swim.
