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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

Baby Swimming

9 replies

pinkposey · 20/04/2011 19:09

I've just been invited to my friends house to take my 4 month year old swimming tomorrow morning. My friend has a 5 month old.

We live in DR Congo - Africa. Its very hot and my friend has an outdoor pool. I hadn't even thought about the idea about taking him swimming yet, but a quick internet search tells me that babies after 3 months can swim..., and I'm really interested !

He's still breastfeeding exclusively - would he not drink the water? Is that dangerous?

Any other tips welcome!

Thanks!!!!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

geordieminx · 20/04/2011 19:11

He'll be fine. Keep hold of him, or get one of those wee ring seats to sit in.

Normally I would say keep it brief, as babies get cold quite quickly, but I don't think that applies

Cattleprod · 20/04/2011 19:15

They do drink the water, but presumably your friend uses appropriate chemicals to get rid of any nasties.

Your son will need a swim nappy to catch any accidental poos, and you'll probably find he does extra wet nappies later in the day.

Original poster

pinkposey · 20/04/2011 19:28

Thanks!

Also, I found this 'When a baby goes underwater their 'diving reflex' kicks in. The same sort of thing happens as when you swallow - the epiglottis closes over and blocks the throat so no water can get through. That's why you often see picture of babies swimming underwater with their mouths open! This reflex lasts up until 18 months of age so, from around 16 months onwards, we teach toddlers and older children how to swim in a different way to babies.'

So should i encourage him to go underwater ? And if so, how do I do that?

If he does go underwater does he not drink excessive water?

OP posts:

ZhenXiang · 20/04/2011 19:32

Got told a tip by my SIL, she said that if you blow in their face before quickly putting them under the water it makes them hold their breath. She got told the tip by a baby swimming instructor. Never trid it myself and DD too old now, but she had and said that it worked.

monkoray · 20/04/2011 19:43

The dive reflex only works in colds water by the way.
I've taken my ds swimming since he was 8 weeks old. Best way to introduce them to it is to hold them right at first and just bob about. Then hold them at arms length and swish dc about in the water and make them comfortable. If dc is enjoying it just bounce them one two three and dunk them under the water and back out and lots if big smiles and reassurance that what they just experienced was fun.
if its your first time swimming with dc I wouldn't try anything more exciting than that.

monkoray · 20/04/2011 19:44

Supposed to say hold them tight, not hold them right

Seona1973 · 20/04/2011 19:45

I wouldnt bothering ducking him if it is his first time in the water. Let him get used to the water first - I'd just hold him and swoosh him about and let him splash. There is plenty of time for ducking, swimming, etc later on

TeddyBare · 21/04/2011 10:40

If it's an outdoor pool, will you be in direct sun light? The sun reflecting on the water can give you a double lot of rays so your dc are more likely to burn. There are little sun suits available but I'm not sure how small they go.

Original poster

pinkposey · 23/04/2011 12:22

Thanks all! He loved it! We didn't do the underwater swimming that I'd been reading about on the internet, but just splashed around, I can't wait to go again! Thanks for your advice!

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