• Published by Salma Safira Sukma from BehaviorPALS Center 

Swimming is a very beneficial and important activity for children, especially for their safety and physical development. Swimming has been known to be able to help in strength and muscle development as well as  promoting coordination and balance in children. Swimming can also improve children’s cognitive and social skills, boosts their confidence, and even improves their appetite and sleep patterns which is good for their mental health.

Formal swimming lessons are recommended for children when they are at least 1 year old. However, you can start introducing your baby to the water once they reach 1 month old to help them feel less scared with swimming in the future. You can start by making positive early bathing experiences for your child and taking careful measures whenever they are in the water. 

Furthermore, here are some tips to introduce your baby to swimming safely:

1. Start at appropriate age

You can start introducing your baby to swimming at a very early age, even a newborn can begin to learn to take a dip as long as their face stays off the water and their belly button or circumcision has healed. Your child will be more likely to feel comfortable in the pool when they are introduced to the water at a young age. However, it is important to always check in with your pediatrician beforehand. 

2. Begin with the bathtub

Bathtub can be a fun and easy way to make your child get used to water. While you are in the bathtub with your child, create a safe environment, hold your baby’s back, and gently lower their body until their ears are slightly submerged. You can also slowly pour a cup of water over their head and let it run over their face too. This can help with the fears they might have from the sounds and feels of water.

3. Make it playful and relaxing

It’s always a good idea to be playful whenever you are in the water with your child. This will help ease any discomfort that your child might be feeling and make them see that water is fun! However, it is also important to be gentle, calm, and relaxed as well as giving eye contact and smile to your child to show them that the water is safe too. 

4. Pay attention to the temperature

The water temperature in your pool or bathtub may not be that cold, but the longer your child is in the water, the cooler they might be. Therefore, it is crucial to pay attention to your child’s body temperature and try to get out of the water every 10 minutes to warm up. Notice if their lips, fingers, and toes start to turn purplish, then you need to immediately take your baby out.

5. Take it slow

It is important to realize that it might take some time for your child to adjust with the water and not to push them when they are not ready yet. Especially for babies, you need to be very careful and take it slow. Use a cup of water to wet your baby’s skin and face so their body can adjust gradually to the water’s temperature. Remember that their head should always be above the water. For older children, you can help them to get their feet in the water first before dipping the rest of their body. Do not rush your child if they start to look scared, scream, and cry. Instead, take them out of the water, calm them down, and encourage them to try again later. 

References: 

5 health benefits of swimming for your infant and toddler. (2020, May 1). Marsden Swim School. Retrieved May 9, 2023 from https://marsdenswimschool.com/blog/health-benefits-swimming-infant-toddler/

Goldberg, R. (2018, September 17). How to introduce your baby to swimming. Today’s Parent. https://www.todaysparent.com/baby/baby-development/how-to-introduce-your-baby-to-swimming/ 

How your child’s development benefits from swimming. (n.d.). Bear Paddle. Retrieved May 8, 2023 from https://www.bearpaddle.com/swimming-blog/how-your-childs-development-benefits-from-swimming/

Robinson, K. M. (2022, June 30). Baby swimming basics: Safety tips and fun tricks for parents. Parents. https://www.parents.com/fun/activities/outdoor/swim-safety-and-fun-for-babies/

By: Salma Safira Sukma Ikhsani, S.Psi. from BehaviorPALS

tips, introducing, baby, swimming

Baby 6 Months - 18 Months / Bayi 6 - 18 Bulan / Physical Development / Tumbuh Kembang Fisik / Health / Kesehatan / Tips on Introducing Your Baby to Swimming

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