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Should babies learn to swim?

When’s the right time to take the plunge?

Hilda Geyer

Pic: iStockphoto.com

Article originally in Parent24

Ah, babies look so cute when they’re enjoying themselves with water. But before you rush off to the nearest swim school to teach your infant to swim, consider this.

Swimming experts are divided on the best age at which a child should start taking lessons. Some suggest that lessons before the age of four are a waste of time, while others promote lessons from as early as three months.

According to the Child Accident Prevention Foundation of South Africa (CAPFSA), babies who have early aquatic training are not only at less risk of drowning but benefit from superior physical co-ordination, social confidence and mental development, and positive parent-child interaction.

Get in the swim

CAPFSA recommend that babies should be at least five or six months old, as younger babies’ immune systems are not properly developed yet.
The American Academy of Paediatricians (AAP) shares this view but warns that even though older infants are better equipped to cope with normal waterborne germs, they are nevertheless at risk of infection. Make sure that pools are properly chlorinated to reduce the risk of infection.
Pools should also be between 30-32 degrees Celsius. Infants lose heat a lot faster than adults.
Select the teacher carefully. The session should be enjoyable. Teachers who are in favour of methods of force, compulsion, punishment and threat can do more harm than good and instill a lifelong fear of water.
Keep lessons short and sweet, no more than 15 minutes.
CAPFSA warns that even with the best training, no young child can be considered 100% water-safe and they always need close adult supervision near water

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Michelle

11/5/2009 11:27 AM

Both my kids go to Aquatots. My boy is 2 and has been going since he was 6 months. And my little girl (7 months) has been going since she was 4 months. It is a great program!

John Fourie

11/4/2009 8:47 AM

I live in Rustenburg & travel to Strubens Valley everyweekend currently to let my 15 month old daughter swim in the Aquatots class. No pushing, shoving or forcing kids to do things they don't want to. They make it fun for the kids. After 4 weeks all my friends can already see the results. I feel it is money well spent . . .

Melanie

11/4/2009 7:57 AM

Aquatots is an amazing programme for babies. I took my son for lessons, he quickly learned to be water safe and loved the lessons as they sing songs and play while they learn. He is bigger now and still loves swimming.

mandy

11/3/2009 1:13 PM

I live in Sea Point Cape Town, can someone please give me name/s of places I can take my expected baby to when the time is right. This is something I'll definately be doing. Thanks!

@ ulrike

11/3/2009 9:54 AM

wow... ur grammar is unbelievable!!!!!!!!!! sjoe...

Ulrike

12/21/2008 2:10 PM

My first born was 5 when she was pushed in the pool and nearly drowned. I rescue her resulting me to go into early labor so the 2nd child learned to swim at 18 Month by the time the 3rd baby arrived we had a pool just outside his bedroom so he was put into the Pool at 3 month and was drowned proved at 8 month. Not that the kids where ever left alone but I felt saver knowing there could swim. I think its necessary specially in South Africa where how many babies under the age of 2 drown.

Sharon

12/4/2008 8:01 AM

My baby started swimming "lessons" at 6 months, and by 8 months was able to swim straight to me under water, as well as get herself out of the pool safely. It's done wonders for her physical confidence - as well as for Mommy's anxiety! I would still absolutely not leave her around any amount of water alone though.

Signing Anria

11/25/2008 10:01 AM

Because I love being in water myself, I would naturally like to have my kids in the water as soon as possible, but only if they fancy it. I would however, love for my children to be able to save themselves as the baby on this link - it's amazing!!! www.childdrowningprevention.com

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