When Can Babies Start Swimming?

Most parents can’t wait until their baby’s first dip, which is quite a proud moment. However, it’s not possible to throw your baby into the pool when it’s not ready yet.

Even though there are many benefits to swimming early on, especially for children, where it’s a great way to exercise and also boosts their growth and metabolism, there are a few factors that you need to take into consideration before you show your kids how to swim, including the type of the pool and the proper equipment.

So, when can babies start swimming lessons?

What Is the Recommended Age to Start Swimming Lessons?

Just like walking, you should let your children get familiar with swimming as soon as possible. It is a life-saving skill, and starting early on is a sure way to give them a head start to becoming a great swimmer.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the age of at least six months or one year, but the Aquatic Achievers in Australia are more lenient; they say children swimming around 3 months is pretty safe, provided all the guidelines are met with the teacher and parents.

Why Early Swimming Lessons Are Beneficial

Drowning is estimated to claim around 236,000 lives each year, according to WHO. By teaching your kids how to swim, you are reducing the risk by 88%, giving them a survival skill that could help them in moments of danger.

The fact that the fear of water hasn’t fully developed yet in infants as it has in adults, early swimming lessons allow them to get accustomed to it more naturally and be better swimmers than children who are older. They can even learn how to swim before they know how to walk!

Swimming is also a fun way to exercise. It improves lung capacity, muscle growth, flexibility, metabolism, along mental health. Even though the statement that swimming can make you grow taller is a myth, it does improve posture while the water buoyancy in the pool reduces the gravity on the spine, which can make them appear taller.

Apart from improving muscle coordination, swimming lessons are also a great way to develop social skills for your children. The interactions with the tutor, you, and other infants give them earlier training for school and classrooms, allowing them to get accustomed to the environment and learn the necessary social skills to survive because we all know how hard it can get.

What to Expect in Baby Swimming Lessons

The environment in the baby swimming lessons is quite easy-going to begin with. The instructors usually play some lively music to set the mood and teach swimming through games to make the experience more fun.

Plus, you and your partner being there for the kids will immensely help your baby gain more confidence, where you don’t really need to know how to swim yourself; all you need to do is be there for your kid to give them a sense of assurity.

The focus will mainly be on basic movements, like kicking, splashing, holding onto the edge and learning how to float by learning how to work with buoyancy, which will come naturally as babies are accustomed to aquatic environments in the pregnancy era.

During older years, when they are a toddler, they will be asked to fetch things from the water, motivating them by giving them a goal, as well as a knack for following instructions.

The swimming lessons won’t exactly teach your kids how to swim essentially with all the fancy movements, but they will prevent them from drowning.

Tips for Choosing the Right Baby Swimming Program

When looking for a swimming program, ensure the instructor is certified to work with infants, the environment is friendly, and, more importantly, the lessons are productive. Music and games are fun, but your baby needs to learn how to survive.

You also want to pay attention to the facilities, where the pool should be clean and shallow, allowing the baby to remain comfortable during lessons. Dirty pools are a hazard to human health and can be more dangerous to babies.

Teaching Your Baby to Swim at Home

Learning begins at home, and that applies to swimming, too.

Begin with the bath. You can hold them up in the water as they learn to support their weight. This can begin as early as you want, but you want to make sure the bath is at a warm temperature to protect your baby from the cold.

Always remain by their side while they are in the water and make sure you have the floating devices nearby for the baby to hold on whenever they feel unsure. They shouldn’t be left for too long in the water to avoid exposure to the cold as well as overstimulation, which can lead to fatigue and nausea. Limit the lessons to 10-15 minutes a day, and if you are teaching in a home pool, make sure it is properly sanitized with the help of a reliable pool cleaner.

This will allow them to acclimatize to the water without causing them any physical discomfort. However, if you are not sure, you can always consult a professional or opt and opt for swimming lessons for a safer route.

Final Thought: Preparing Your Baby for Swimming Success

You can start your baby's swimming lessons as early as you want, where the first guide will be you. These lessons form a great bonding time for the parents and kids while giving them a basic skill for survival.

The learning will also come more naturally as a child, while strengthening their body along with their social skills, giving them a heads up for school, forming a win-win situation for both you and your child. All you need to do is find the perfect balance between teaching and livelihood while taking care of their comfort.

If you are still unsure, you can always ask the pediatrician and look for trustworthy teaching programs to ensure the safety of your child as they learn a life-saving skill.