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Is It Necessary for Babies to Swim?

Does your baby really need to swim?

By tigh22Published 3 years ago 4 min read
These babies can swim better than most of us

This question comes up often in conversations with parents of newborns. Obviously, babies can’t swim on their own yet, but many parents worry about exposing them to water before they are strong enough to stay afloat without assistance. Learn more about the necessity of swimming lessons for babies, as well as some tips for keeping them safe when you bathe them or take them in the pool during hot summer months.

Why do babies love swimming so much?

There are a few reasons why babies love swimming. First, the water is warm and feels good on their skin. Second, they can move their arms and legs freely in the water. Third, they can make lots of noise without getting in trouble. Fourth, they can splash around and get wet without getting cold. And fifth, they can meet other babies and have fun in the pool. Does the baby need to swim?: Most parents think that it’s great if their baby learns how to swim early on so that he or she will be safe when he or she gets older. But there’s no need for an infant to learn how to swim at this age; it’s not until he or she is 4-5 years old that a child will start taking swimming lessons

Swimming helps develop coordination:

Swimming is a great way to help develop coordination. When your baby is in the water, they have to use their arms and legs to move around and stay afloat. This can help them learn how to coordinate their movements and eventually lead to better coordination overall. Not only that, but it’s an excellent opportunity for parents to spend time with their children as well!

Swimming at home is an easy workout with your baby:

If you have a pool in your backyard, swimming at home with your baby is an easy way to get in a workout. Plus, it's a great bonding experience for you and your little one. But is it necessary for babies to swim? According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), The AAP advises against teaching children younger than four years old how to swim or putting them in deep water. And there are many other opinions on the subject that say not until six months, not until they can sit up by themselves, or not until they can stand. One expert advises not putting infants under two months old into water that's over their head because they don't have enough strength in their neck muscles yet. So when it comes down to teaching your child how to swim, do what feels right for you and your family!

What happens if you don’t let your baby learn how to swim?

If you don't let your baby learn how to swim, they may never develop a love for the water. Additionally, they'll miss out on important physical and cognitive benefits that come from swimming. Not to mention, it could be dangerous if they were ever to find themselves in a pool or body of water without knowing how to swim.So while it may not be required that babies learn how to swim, it's certainly beneficial in a variety of ways. Plus, it will help keep them safe!

Having fun as a family in the pool:

It's summer time and the weather is perfect for spending time in the pool. But is it necessary for babies to swim? Most of us probably don't even think about whether or not our children should learn how to swim as soon as they are able, but there are actually a few different opinions on this topic. For example, some pediatricians say that it is important for children under age two not to go into any body of water at all, because of the potential risk of drowning. Other doctors believe that swimming lessons can be beneficial for children before they start walking, because kids can learn how to float and understand what happens when you put your head underwater at an early age. Some parents are choosing not to get their babies near water until they have learned how to walk just in case something were to happen and there would be no way for them to rescue themselves.

Exercises you can do with your newborn in water:

1. Splash around together in the bathtub. This is a great way to introduce your baby to the sensation of water and get them used to being in it.

2. Hold your baby close while you walk around in a shallow pool or swim in the ocean. This way, they can feel secure while still getting used to being in the water.

3. Try out some infant swimming classes. These are usually done with babies who are 6 months old and up, but if you have an extra-fearless baby, there's no harm in trying.

4. The most important thing is that your child feels safe in the water. If they're not comfortable enough to enjoy themselves, don't force them into an environment where they might be scared!

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