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Astounding swimming baby

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Image: via YouTube

An astounding video of a 16-month-old toddler who can swim across a swimming pool is causing waves on YouTube. Her parents, a registered nurse and former lifeguard insist that the technique the child used to learn her aquabatics are safe and that they are fully capable of intervention should she get into trouble, but some viewers find the video frightening and even irresponsible, suggesting that other parents may try the same with catastrophic consequences.

Skilled or crazy?

There are many different systems for introducing a child to water at a young age, ranging from teaching a child to turn on her back should she fall into water to complete swimming classes, and it makes sense for parents to do this as early as possible, given that a baby or toddler without these skills may be vulnerable to drowning even within a few centimetres of water. The video, however, seems to trigger that instinct which many parents fear: A baby encounters water and may get into difficulties.

The child’s parents are comfortable with the video in that they themselves are capable swimmers and both are qualified in CPR techniques.

In SA, where many parents have swimming pools or are exposed to them on a social basis, perhaps teaching your tot familiarity with water could be the wise approach.

Watch this short video of the amazing swimming baby and tell us what you think:



What age should children be introduced to water?

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