As a parent, you are resolute to do everything to ensure your little one is healthy and happy. Baby swimming is not only good for your baby’s health but it also improves confidence, strength, and coordination in them. Baby swimming encourages your little ones to explore and engage with the world around them.
Baby swimming is undoubtedly an excellent routine for your baby but still there exists a lot of confusion for many parents such as what is the right age for babies to swim, how to start swimming lessons for the babies, and what kind of clothes they should baby’s wear during swimming.
Panic not, here in this blog you will find answers for everything.
1. What Is The Right Age For My Baby To Swim?
Experts recommend that you can take your baby swimming as early as they reach 1 year of age. Every child is different and some babies are not yet ready for swimming classes. If your baby is not ready for swimming, you will find out about it a little later.
It’s important to know that newborns and infants who are younger than 12 months in age aren’t yet able to raise their heads above the water to breathe. So avoid taking them to swimming lessons.
For children around 1 to 4 ages, seek parent and child aquatics programs. In these programs, the instructors who are trained and certified in CPR are hired to ensure safety and professional guidance.
You can try swimming classes for kids with or without parents for swimmers who are around 5 years of age and older. Keep a note on your baby ensuring that he is focusing on safe pool behavior as well as kicking and padding.
2. How To Introduce My Baby To Swimming?
Here we are listing down some essential points that you need to take care of while introducing your baby to swimming.
- Make Your Little One Familiar with Water
Before introducing your baby to the pool, familiarize her with water through baths. While you bathe her, fill a mug of water and pour it over her gently. This will teach your child the feeling of dampness. - Let Your Child Splash On the Steps
You can sit down with your baby on the steps present in the pool placing your baby between your both legs. Keep your baby upright and let her play with the bath toys in the pool splashing the water. - Entertain your baby
Once you and your child are in the pool start playing with them. Smile, relax, and make them learn small things. This will help your child adjust to the water and they will get associated with it with a calm and pleasant mind. - If He / She Feels Upset, Get Out Of The Pool
If the baby shows the signs of distress such as crying or upset, get out of the water and try later. Wrap them in the towel and clean her body. You may need to wait a few weeks before trying to introduce them.
3. Swimming Essentials for Babies
When you are taking your little one to swimming classes, make sure you take all the essentials together.
- Bath Towels
Bath towels are essential to dry your baby’s body as they come out of the pool. They will help in quick dry and keep your baby’s body warm when wrapped up. Hooded towels are ideal for babies to keep warm and snuggled.
Our Best Picks: Big Kid Little Unicorn Hooded Towel
Splash into bath time with this little unicorn big kid hooded towel for your baby. This hooded towel is extra absorbent and plush, featuring with cozy hood and pockets for your little one’s hands.
- Fresh Clothes
Changing your baby’s outfit is necessary when taking your baby to swim. After drying the body with the towel, use some warm clothes to dress up your baby as these will keep your baby warm and cozy after the swimming experience.
Our Best Picks: Animal Print – White Dark Pink, Baby Puff Romper Sleeves
This cute and adorable puff sleeves romper from the house of Babyhug gives comfort to your baby while being funky after swimming. This outfit comes with a snap button opening for easy dressing and nappy changing.
- Sun lotion
Infants and kids are particularly inclined to get sunburns and sun allergies on their skin. As their skin is very sensitive it is necessary to apply sun lotion to the toddlers and babies before and after they go swimming.
Always prefer a mineral-based sunscreen that forms a barrier on the skin and reflects UV rays.
Our Best Picks: Little Innoscents – Natural Sun Lotion SPF30+
This natural sun lotion from little innoscents is a go to accessory for your baby while stepping out. This is a lovely sunscreen containing Zinc and soothing vitamin E, cucumber, organic green tea and rosehip extract. This sun lotion is organic and does not contain any paraben and fragrance. It is water resistance which is the best choice your baby swimming and comes with SPF 30+ with both UVA and UVB protection.
- Swim Nappies
As infants and toddlers are not toilet trained, you need to use swim nappies while training your child into the water. The swim nappies are designed to hold on the faces into the water without leaking. They are extra absorbent, waterproof and easily submerges into the water.
Our Best Picks: Disposable Huggies Little Swimmers
Add water to your little one’s water play with these huggies little swimmer disposable nappies. These swim pants are designed for water use with no swelling on baby’s skin. These nappies are disposable with easy openings sides for removal. They are prefect for baby swimming occasions including beach, public pools and home.
These are some of the essentials for your baby before swimming. At Nappies Direct we have a wide range of accessories for mothers and baby’s including reusable nappies, baby toys, swaddles, pillows, and more
