Most babies love water. However, how you introduce your baby to the pool for the first time can make your little one love or fear water for life. Like walking, swimming should also start with baby steps. There is no need to rush things because your child will learn how to swim at their own pace.
Introducing your baby to the pool is somewhat like bathing. A little fun, laughter, soothing talk and safety measures will do the trick. Before taking your baby to the pool, make the bathing experience enjoyable with some splash and toys to make swimming more relatable to bathing.
Babies can be introduced to their first swimming lesson at a very young age. Your little one can experience their first time in the pool as early as four months old. The earlier you teach your baby how to swim, the safer they will be around the pool in your home, in case of accidental falls. However, the first thing to keep in mind is safety measures when teaching a baby to swim. Swimming is a great way to keep your child busy, and healthy. It also allows a child to join the family in the pool from a younger age.
As a parent, it is natural to be gentle with your baby, but some wrong moves may spoil a child’s first introduction to a swimming pool. Early familiarisation with the pool makes the job easier for a parent. Remember, patience is the key.
Here are a few tips that will make your baby’s first swim in the fibreglass pool Auckland memorable:
Start with dipping the toes
Talk playfully and start slowly by dipping your baby’s toes into the water. Tots have an experience of getting wet when bathing, so this will seem fun. Let the tot get used to the water and be happy with some splish splash. The dripping water from the body also allows the baby to get used to the temperature of the water. Get into the pool first and stand on the shallow side. Hold your baby and gradually put the toes and legs inside. Let the tiny tot touch the pool water and splash some for fun. Make some noise to show excitement and take the fun quotient to a next level.
Introduce play
The more your baby enjoys the first swim, the more they will look forward to entering the swimming pool again. Make it appear more like play and less like teaching how to swim. The idea is to ease any discomfort and reinforce the idea that time spent swimming in the water can be lots of fun. Singing songs and adding actions like ‘water the flowers’ or ‘water me please’ with a toy watering can help a baby to open up more to the idea of playing in the water. Sprinkle water over the baby’s head and allow the baby to do the same to you.
Keep a positive and relaxed attitude
These first few experiences in water are extremely important for your baby. Be it a mommy or daddy, maintaining a confident, happy, secure and positive attitude is important. Babies pick emotional cues easily from their parents. If you are tense, the baby feels scared too and is not comfortable in the pool. Make sure your little one is relaxed and enjoys the entire process.
Introduce pool toys and proper gear
Pool toys are not only fun things in the water, inflatable animals and several other toys are designed with special functionality. They float and provide safety in the pool.
Along with playful activities, toys help in the development of motor and sensory skills and add colours and excitement to the pool.
There are various kinds of swim aids available for babies, choosing baby floats or swim vests for your little one is your personal decision. When introducing inflated toys, ensure they are fully inflated, there is no leakage, and the air valves are securely closed.
A buddy system is better
For your baby’s initial pool time, some assistance from a close friend or another family member can be helpful. Make sure it is an adult whom your little one trusts and is comfortable with. The interaction will keep the baby busy and engaged, making them less nervous about entering the pool. Don’t expect any extraordinary results in the first few sessions. But, the more you make your little one comfortable in the water, the easier it will be to teach them to swim.
Make it comfortable
Since it is your baby’s first time in the pool, make sure to make it as comfortable as possible. Check the water temperature and cleanliness of the pool. Make sure whatever swimwear your child is wearing is made of skin-friendly material, isn’t too tight or loose, and is comfy. If it’s your private pool, make sure there aren’t too many people and too much noise around the pool. That may distract your baby. Make a note of the span of time you are in the pool with your baby. Adults feel comfortable in the water for a longer time than the little ones. Keep the initial pool sessions short.
Conclusion
The first time in a pool is fun for everyone when done right. Ensuring your baby has a pleasant experience in the pool is your responsibility as a parent. A few simple things can make your tot’s first swimming experience memorable. Whether your child will remember it or not depends on the age you introduce them to the pool.
Before you plan to head to the pool with your baby for the first time, take time to familiarise yourself with pool safety rules. It is extremely important to avoid drowning accidents. Moreover, be vigilant every moment. Your baby should not be left alone for a single moment unattended near the pool or in the water even when you think a flotation device is safe.
Begin with splashing some water on the baby’s body, be careful not to overdo it and scare the little one. Dip the feet and allow the baby to touch the water with their fingers.
Love for water doesn’t come naturally to everyone. It is often a learned behaviour. Do not make your baby enter the water forcefully if the little one is not comfortable. That may scare the child and set fear of water forever in their heart. Each child has a different pace of learning how to swim. A happy experience in water and continuous practice will help your baby gain confidence and fall in love with water and swimming.
Thinking about what kind of pool is best for your child? Fibreglass pools are smooth and are designed without any sharp edges like most concrete pools. These pools provide a comfortable, scratch-free, swimming experience and can give parents peace of mind.
