How did you teach your baby to swim?

Question

So we recently just got a pool, and I have a 14 month old. I would really like to teach him how to swim, I just don’t know where to start. He LOVES The water. So I know we won’t have a problem with teaching him.

Answer

We have a pool and just got done with our first round of baby swim class!! I’m 38 weeks pregnant and honestly sad the class is over. We are taking the summer off (will continue swimming in our pool) and will resume formal lessons in the fall! I think lessons are the way to go and it’s a fun thing to do on a Sunday morning. (Daughter is 19 months)

Answer

Look up ISR instructors in your area or just google infant/toddler swim lessons.

Answer

Well my babies are not born yet but with my little brother when he was 1-ish, our dad just floated around in the pool whilst holding him and when he could float on his own by kicking his legs and flapping his arms in the water, my dad taught him how to swim properly. Teach the baby to blow bubbles in the water so that the baby sees blowing more fun than inhaling water, that's an important lesson. And also, this is random but some people do throw the baby in the water and it'll just swim in it's own time...Babies have a reflex called the bradycardic response which makes them hold their breath so they won't inhale the water. I've seen videos of people doing this and it seems okay.

Answer

I used to teach a parent and child aquatic class. At that age your main focus should be getting your child to be comfortable in the water on front and back, teaching to blow bubbles, exploring arm and leg movements in the water both simultaneously and alternating (example: arms moving together and arms moving opposite eachother) and finally getting your child to put their face in the water briefly, you should do this only when they are showing that they are comfortable being in the water and no more than once or twice in a session. You should show your baby putting your own face in the water first and if you can try to get them to hold their breath before they put their face in the water. They say if you blow air in their face a child under 6 months will automatically hold their breath but I've seen parents try it with older babies as well with success. It's totally up to you on what you feel comfortable with at that age though. Some babies will put their face in the water on their own and you have to watch them closely with that as well because they could end up with delayed drowning which happens when they've taken water into their lungs. The water builds up over time, eventually causing breathing difficulties. Just be vigilant and take things slow to start off! Happy swimming  😀

How did you teach your baby to swim?

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