There are many benefits to introducing your baby to water, not just the quality time you have with them, but for example, it may help improve cognitive function and self confidence, as well as increase appetite and sound sleep.
Try not to leave it too late before introducing your baby to the water as they may become less confident later on, possibly developing a fear of water. Teaching your baby to swim is a fun and healthy activity and a skill your child can have for life.
Positive reasons to teach your baby to swim include:
*Spending time to be in the present moment where parent and baby are focused on each other with skin to skin contact, strengthens the parent-baby bond
*In water, babies are not restricted by gravity so can move freely, exercising more muscles and helping build strength, which may help them grasp a physical skill like walking earlier.
*Moving in the water can give them a good start in learning basic swimming skills and is great for cardiovascular health, strengthening their heart, lungs, brain and blood vessels
*Babies balance and coordination is improved as they learn to move their arms and legs together
*Using more energy will stimulate babies appetite and means they will sleep better
*Drowning continues to be one of the leading causes of accidental death for children under 5 years, so learning to swim is an important safety skill.
Newborns and infants should never be left alone around any body of water, like bathtubs or pools. Its important to keep in mind that a child can drown in even just one inch of water. For children under 4 years of age, it’s best to do “touch supervision”. That means that an adult should be close enough to touch them at all times.
In our hectic, fast paced world, slowing down to simply enjoy an experience together is rare. Swim time with our babies brings us into the present moment while teaching them important life skills. So grab your swim bag and wade in!