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Summer is here! For many families, this means days at the pool or Beach. If you have a newborn on the way this year, you may be wondering how to safely take them in the water and let them swim. Taking your baby swimming for the first time (or the first few times) can be scary if you’re not well-informed and prepared. But there’s no need to worry! We’ll tell you everything you need to know. Read on for essential tips for swimming with your little one!
At what age can babies go to the swimming pool?
First things first: At what age can babies go into the water? The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) does not have a recommended age, but in general it is best to wait until babies are 6 months old before taking them into a pool. Before then, their lack of head control poses increased safety risks.6
Why is water safety important?
According to the AAP, drowning is one of the leading causes of death among children ages 1 to 4.1 This is a frightening reality and underscores the importance of being proactive when swimming with young children. Babies do not naturally have the skills needed to swim, so water safety in babies is absolutely critical to preventing drownings in the early years.
Should I take swimming lessons with my baby?
Baby swim lessons can be an excellent activity to strengthen the bond between babies and caregivers. However, the AAP recommends that toddlers begin swimming lessons at one year of age—not earlier, unless the lessons are purely for enjoyment and fun. There is currently no data to support that baby swim lessons are beneficial (safety-wise) in the first 12 months. After that, they can serve as an excellent—but not foolproof—water safety measure.2
12 water safety tips for babies
If you’re planning on taking your baby swimming in the near future, it’s important to be safe. As basic as some of these tips may seem, they’re crucial to preventing avoidable accidents in and around water. Moms, dads and caregivers – pay attention!
1. Start practicing water safety at home
The bathtub is a baby’s first contact with water and requires the same level of supervision as any swimming pool or other body of water.3 Also try This makes bathing fun and interactive! It helps your baby to develop a positive connection to the water and to naturally learn the importance of following safety rules while in the water. Incorporate simple Bath toysGames, songs and even stories (waterproof bath books are perfect for this!) while your little one bathes.
2. Wait until your baby is physically and developmentally ready
While it may be tempting to get your newborn in the water as soon as possible, that may not be the best idea. Instead, consider waiting until your little one has adequate head and neck control before taking them to a pool or other body of water to swim.6.10 A child can drown in water as deep as 2.5 to 5 centimeters. Newborns are also unable to lift their heads out of the water if necessary.3
3. Ensure proper care and maintenance of the pool
If you have a wading pool or kiddie pool, take the time to empty it after each use. This will help keep disease-causing bacteria at bay And prevents physical accidents from happening.7 And again, it doesn’t take much for a baby to be in danger in the water.
4. Keep an eye on your baby at all times when near water
Never leave your baby unattended near water. Not even for a split second! We all think the worst can’t happen to us, but accidents happen. Babies (and children of all ages) should always be fully supervised and not allowed to be distracted when near water.5
5. Consider the water temperature
If you take your baby to the pool to swim, make sure that it is heated and has a temperature that allows the baby’s body to regulate itself. A safe pool temperature for a baby under 3 years old is between 30 and 34 degrees Celsius.2 Infants cannot regulate their own body temperature, so you should avoid cold lakes, rivers, etc. until they are a little older.8th
6. Find out about trusted swimming programs in your area
You can enroll your baby in swimming lessons from his or her first birthday.2 But don’t just sign up for the first course you find; make sure the instructors are qualified and certified to work with young children. Lifeguards with Resuscitation in infants and a first aid certificate should also be available.
7. Never go swimming alone with your baby
It is best to swim with another adult. Also, choose to swim with your toddler in pools with trained and qualified lifeguards. Better safe than sorry!
8. Focus on the time you spend together
Interact with your little one in the water! Although safety should always come first when swimming with a baby, playing in the pool together is a great way to get comfortable with the water. Plus, playing in the water together is a perfect opportunity to bond! Try playing different water animals together, splashing around while counting and singing, and interacting with imaginative play with Pool toys.
9. Stay within reach
Always stay within arm’s reach of your baby. Whether you’re taking a swim class, wading in a zero-entry pool, or enjoying an evening at the lake, “touch supervision” is important to ensure you can reach your child without delay in the event of an emergency (or prevent one).2
10. Make sure pool safety measures are in place
If you have a pool, make sure it is completely fenced and locked when not in use. Babies are curious creatures. This goes without saying, but they should never be able to enter a pool area alone.
11. Invest in a quality life jacket
If your baby is old enough and big enough for a life jacket, he or she should wear one near open water. You should make sure that it is a vest that is approved by the US Coast Guard and has both a good fit And weight range.9 Please take a moment to read the instructions again before buckling your little one in.
12. Learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation!
To know How do you perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation? in an emergency is a must for parents and caregivers. Check with your local branch of the American Red Cross or American Heart Association about classes. The hope is that you’ll never actually have to use these skills, but knowing what to do in an emergency can really save lives.
Water games for babies
Now that we’ve gone over our water safety tips, it’s time to get to the fun part! That is, baby-friendly games you and your little fish can play together in the pool! Here are a few simple activities to keep any new water baby busy:
- Water polo throwing: Bring some soft beach balls into the pool. Toss the balls around and encourage your baby to reach for them as you swim around in the water together.
- Singing and swimming: Sing a swimming song to the tune of a classic as you lead your baby around the pool and encourage him or her to do certain things. For example, sing “The baby in the water goes splash, splash, splash, splash, splash, splash, splash” (or “kick, kick, kick,” etc.) to the tune of “The Wheels on the Bus.”
- Peek-a-boo in the pool: Hold your baby above the water and lower your face slightly below. Quickly jump back up and surprise your baby with a cheerful “peek-a-boo” to encourage him or her to try too.
What you need to take to the pool
When you go somewhere with your baby, you need to plan and prepare a little in advance. The swimming pool is no exception! Here is a checklist of the essentials for your baby to make your trip easier:
Whether your family is a frequent pool user or you’re just thinking about taking baby swimming lessons for beginners, water safety should always be a top priority for toddlers. With these tips in mind – and a willingness to jump in the water with your little one – you’ll be well-equipped for water fun for you and your baby. Happy splashing!
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