When it comes to baby swimming, there are a lot of things for a parent to think about. How do you get started? What should you look for in infant swimming lessons? And what if your child is afraid of the water?
A learn to swim program can be an exciting and positive experience for the whole family! Most parents out there are excited about the idea to watch their children develop swim skills at an early age. Essentially, baby swimming lays a foundation for a healthy and active lifestyle while teaching children water safety skills.
Now, where do you start when it comes to infant swimming lessons? There are a few things you should take into consideration before enrolling your kiddos in this fun activity
Today, let's walk you through the things you need to know to get started.
Get Started on Swim Lesson for Babies
So how do you get started?
First, think about what type of swimming program you want for your child. There are various types of swim programs available, but not all of them are appropriate for toddlers. A swim school usually caters to young children and will often have programs specifically designed for babies and toddlers. Additionally, there are private swim lessons and semi private lessons!
You should also consider children ages and swim skills. Not all children are ready to take lessons at the same time. Some toddlers may be afraid of the water and need to gain confidence, while others may be ready to start learning basic and general water safety skills as well as one of the most important infant swimming resource: self rescue
It's important to find baby swimming lessons that are appropriate for both the child's age and ability. Swim schools that are too challenging or too easy for your child can be frustrating and counterproductive. You can also go for private swim lessons.
Additionally, here are a few tips you can take note of when getting started on swimming lessons for children.
1. Start with a reputable swim school that offers programs specifically for young children.
When you start giving baby swim lessons, it is important to find a program that has a good reputation and offers training meant for toddlers. Reputation is key – you want to find a school that is known for its safe and effective swim programs and swim lessons.
You can also go for private swim lessons if you wish!
2. Make sure the swim program is age and ability appropriate.
While looking for a swimming program for your child, it’s important to find one that is age and ability appropriate. Swim programs that are too challenging or too easy can be frustrating and counterproductive. Make you choose has the ones that are designed for toddler swimming lessons.
3. Talk to the swim instructor about your child's readiness for swim lessons.
When it comes to baby swimming, one of the most important things you can do is talk to the swim instructor about your child's readiness for infant swimming. Not all children are ready for swim lessons at the same age, and some toddlers may be afraid of the water.
4. Get started with basic swimming skills.
One of the best things about toddler swimming lessons is that they can start with various basic swimming skill levels that are appropriate to them. Swimming is one of the life-saving and safety skills, and it is never too early to start teaching your child how to swim.
The first few lessons will focus on getting your child comfortable in the water. Once your child is comfortable, the swim instructor can start teaching them basic swimming skills.
5. Have fun and be positive.
The essential thing you can do as a parent is to have fun and be positive — take the whole family to join if you must. Learning to swim together as a family can also be one good way to develop a unique bond with each other.
Also, another thing you can do is to incorporate swimming as a type of play. When they think of learning to swim as a play time, they will immediately develop that comfort level when they’re in the water. Tune in with some fun songs to keep the energy kicking as well!
6. Find the right swimming wear for kids.
There are various types of swimwear for kids. You want to find something that is comfortable and safe. Swimwear for kids should be made of a lightweight material that will keep them cool in the water. It is also important to find swimwear that is durable and will last through multiple washes.
Finding the right swimwear also gives a much more comfortable environment for your child, especially for a little swimmer in the pool. Here are things you can prepare:
- a reusable swim diaper
- swimming suit / swimming shirt
- swimming cap
- and swimming goggles
Now that you know what you need to prepare when getting ready for swim classes, let’s talk about how you can figure out if your child is ready for infant swim lessons.
When Can Babies Learn to Swim
At what ages can babies start swimming lessons?
That's a question that many parents have. The answer, unfortunately, isn't one size fits all. Some babies are ready to start swimming lessons as early as four months old, while others may not be ready until they reach a year old. Some are also slow learners, while others are hard to teach swimmers.
There are several things you can look for to help you decide if your baby is ready for swim lessons. Here are a few ones:
Babies can hold their heads up independently.
One of the most important is that your baby can hold their head up independently. If they can't do this, they may not be strong enough to keep their head above water in a pool. But don’t worry! Even if your kiddo is not strong enough, the instructors will work hard to help them gain that strength before turning them into little swimmers.
They are not afraid of the water.
A baby's fear of the water can also be a sign that they're not ready for swim lessons. If they are hesitant or scared of getting their head wet, it's probably best to wait a little while. Start with introducing them to the pool until they feel like it — don't rush them.
They can swim on their own.
Another sign that cues your baby may be ready for swim lessons is if they can already swim on their own. This doesn't mean they'll necessarily know how to do all the strokes, but if they can at least keep themselves afloat, that's a good start. Or at least an early sign that they love the water.
They are potty trained or can use swim diapers
It is important that kiddos that are not potty trained use baby swim diapers to avoid any sticky accidents and to keep them warm on their tummy and waist.
Swim diapers can feel a little weird at first so, if your kid has never used them before, let them try them on at home and see if they feel comfortable with them.
Check out Beau & Belle Little's blog to hear our story about potty-training woes.
You May Ask
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How do I teach my 6-months old child to swim?
This can depend on a few different factors. Some swim schools start teaching baby swim lessons as early as 3 or 4 months old, others wait until the child is older. One good thing to keep in mind, babies will learn at different speeds, so it's important that you do not compare your child to other students in the class.
One of the most important things to remember as a mom when teaching infants to swim is that SAFETY comes first. Always be within arm's reach, and never leave them unattended in the pool. Even if your baby is a strong swimmer, it's important to continue supervising them until they are ready at their own pace.
Is it necessary to use swim diapers when swimming?
When swimming with a baby, it is important to use swim diapers. Swim diapers help keep the water clean and free of bacteria. They also help to prevent accidents and keep your children safe while in the water.
There are various types of swim diapers available on the market. Some are disposable and some are reusable. Whichever type you choose, make sure to keep a spare reusable or a few extra disposable swim diapers on hand in case of accidents.
Are swim baby lessons expensive?
Swim baby lessons are not expensive, if you opt for private swim lessons there may be a slight difference in the pricing.
At what age can I enroll my kiddo in ISR?
Infant Swim Rescue *aka ISR* is a type of program ideal for children ages 6 months to 1 year where they learn the basics of water safety: how to roll on their backs and float easily until someone comes to help them.
This program is a good start for children that want to learn how to swim!
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it! A nutshell on everything you ought to know about getting started on baby swimming lessons.
Of course, we can’t stress enough that every child is different and some may be ready for the pool before others. Don’t forget to communicate efficiently with your swim instructors for your baby’s swimming lesson, so you as parents can enjoy it as well!
And finally, if you’re in the market for some quality swim diapers for your little ones, we’ve got you covered. See you at the pool with your swimmer!