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| Swimming Swimming is good for your baby. It improves their confidence, is good exercise, gives them freedom of movement, and has a positive effect on psychological and motor development. And it's fun. Babies are born with a 'dive reflex' that makes them hold their breath under water. This will last for about 3 months and means they really are 'water babies'. Your baby will also keep their eyes open under water during this time. Although you will want to take advantage of the 3 months dive reflex, it is wise for you to wait until after your six week postnatal check-up to ensure you have healed properly. In the meantime use bath-time to get him used to water, splashing and getting his face wet. Hopefully your leisure centre will have a baby pool or teaching pool. These are usually warmer and less crowded. Start with a 10 minute session and build up to twice that time; any longer and they will probably get cold - if your baby starts to shiver, get them out and wrap them up. Hold your baby tightly and maintain eye contact to reassure them. Most local authority run pools will have mother/father and baby swimming sessions with lessons for baby. After just a few sessions, they will be ducking under the water and holding their breath, and most babies can manage to travel a few feet under water by doggy-paddling. It is best to take a nappy in case of accidents. As soon as they are old enough to sit unaided, get a swim seat (a rubber ring with a seat in the middle), buoyancy aids, and take some toys. As well as the obvious changing kit, towel, nappy and clothes, take a bottle if you're bottle-feeding. The exercise will have given your baby an appetite, and they will probably need a good sleep. If you have more than one child, take some help or you will really have your hands full. Swimming in sea-water is not advisable for babies under 12 months as their kidneys can not cope with the salt water they will swallow. If you are going on holiday to somewhere warm and want to go into the sea, hold your baby's head well above the water. Swimming is the perfect way to spend leisure time with your baby. They will grow in confidence, it will help you to bond and will keep you both fit. |
