27 December 2013

Water Tips for Tiny Tots!

When your child is under three, it’s more about an introduction to the water than formal swimming lessons. Don’t expect your toddler to be able to swim lengths!  By keeping swimming excursions fun and informal, you can get your child relaxed and comfortable in the pool and therefore more prepared for real lessons later on. If your baby is less than six months old, the big public pool will be far too cold. You need a warm baby pool, ideally heated to about 32 degrees centigrade.



What should I take?

Lots of reusable swim nappies and a changing mat! Faecal matter can be dangerous to other swimmers. If you’re bottle feeding, pack a warm bottle for straight after the swim. If your baby has started on solid foods, they’ll need a snack. A hooded towel or a little towelling robe are a must for when your little one gets out of the pool. Konfidence provides an affordable range of aqua nappies and warmer suits for tiny swimmers.

Playtime Activities

Keep it fun and gentle. Show your little one how to splash and sing songs while bobbing in the water. Playing with toys you usually use in the bath at home can make your baby feel safer while in the pool. You can ‘swish’ your baby through the water to retrieve toys. Make sure you keep talking to and praising your child because the sound of your voice is familiar and comforting to them. Show your baby how to blow bubbles in the water by demonstrating. If your baby is blowing, then they can’t inhale any water. This can also help with getting your child used to the feeling of water on their face. It’s a good idea to keep the swim sessions nice and short. If you baby starts to shiver or look cold, it’s time to stop.

Staying Safe

It’s recommended that you keep your baby in your arms at all times. Don’t submerge any child under three years old because they can swallow a large amount of water. This is dangerous because it can dilute the chemicals in their blood and lead to nausea, drowsiness and seizures. It’s essential that you keep emergency equipment like a plastic ring and a first aid kit near to hand at all times. More detailed tips on water safety for babies can be found here.

8 comments:

  1. This is some great tips. My daughter was been learning how to swim and always loved the water.

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  2. I think kids should learn how to swim at a young age. Water safety is important.

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  3. These are great tips for parents. Thank you for sharing.

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  4. Great tips and will be sure to pass these on to my daughter for my three year old grand daughter. Thanks for posting.

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  5. I can't wait to get my baby girl back in the pool! She loves the water and tries to swim in the bathtub! Thanks for the tips.

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  6. very well said, love all the details and time you put into this article.. and i definitely agree 100%, always keep your baby in your arms and keep a first aid kit hand all the time... again wonderful tips.. thanks @tisonlyme143

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  7. I believe it is of the utmost importance to teach our children and anyone else whom doesn't already know to learn to swim. It can be a wonderful, bonding experience teaching our very young children to relax and have fun while learning. A life-long physical activity suc as swimming is a gift we can all afford to give our children.

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  8. these are all great tips and well written... i think its important to teach them while there young to swim, i know my sister almost drawned , thats why i made sure to teach mine when they was just a baby... thanks for share

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