Baby swimming: reviews of parents, opinions of coaches and benefits for children

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Many modern parents are fans of various methods of early childhood development. Recently, baby swimming has become very popular. Reviews of pediatricians about classes are ambiguous. However, most doctors are convinced of the enormous benefits for the child's body. To make a decision about the need for such classes for your baby, you should read the description of the methodology, the opinions of doctors and trainers.

Innate reflex

At birth, every newborn gets a large set of instincts. They persist until the baby is very small, and his brain can not yet take over the protective function. The swimming reflex is one of them.

According to studies, children can swim from birth. If the child is lowered into the water, he will automatically hold his breath. At this point, his heartbeat slows down, whichallows less oxygen consumption. Blood circulation is carried out mainly near the brain and heart, which are vital organs. Therefore, newborns can stay underwater longer without harm to their he alth when compared to adults.

Benefits of swimming for babies

In the mother's womb, the baby develops surrounded by amniotic fluid. Therefore, after being born, he does not lose the ability to stay on the water and breathe properly in it. If from the first days you engage in infant swimming, according to pediatricians, the child's reflexes will not fade away. He will acquire extraordinary skills, good he alth and harmonious development. Other positive aspects of this technique are the following:

• formation of correct posture
• normalization of the cardiac system
• prevention of allergic reactions and infections
• activation of the brain
• strengthening muscle tissue
• improved sleep quality
• forming the habit of temperature changes, which strengthens the immune system
• positive effect on blood pressure, circulation and lung function.

Another advantage of water treatments is the improved contact between the baby and mother. Therefore, the baby is less likely to get sick, he is more calm.

Indications for baby swimming

Such activities are useful for almost all children. However, they are not only not prohibited for a separate group of babies, but are also recommended by doctors for therapeutic purposes. It is about the followingstates:

• muscle hypertonicity;
• torticollis;
• CP;
• muscle lethargy;
• low birth weight;
• diseases of the joints;
• congenital musculoskeletal pathologies.

Principles and rules of procedure

The innate swimming reflex is lost by the third month of life. If you neglect classes before this time, it will be very difficult for the child to learn in the future. Infant swimming, according to pediatricians, is best to start from 3-4 weeks of age.

For regular classes, both a regular home bath and a special pool are suitable. Before the procedures, the container should be thoroughly washed with laundry soap, and soda should be used once a week. It is better to refuse a solution of potassium permanganate or herbal decoctions. Water can enter not only the respiratory tract, but also the digestive tract.

The water temperature in the first lessons should be at least 32 degrees. Gradually it can be reduced. After immersing the child, he must be observed. In case of persistent crying, the water temperature should be increased. If the baby is too sluggish, then the water is too hot.

While bathing, the child's body must remain completely in the water. If it is partially submerged, even with active movements, it may freeze. The duration of the procedure is selected individually. Sometimes children are in the water for about an hour, but 30 minutes is considered the optimal time.

Homeschoolingconditions

After completing the preparatory activities, you can begin to introduce the child to water. All sudden movements are prohibited. The baby should be immersed gradually: first wet the hands, then the feet, and only after that the whole body. It is better to hold it vertically, not horizontally. It is necessary to talk with the child all the time in a calm tone, you can talk about your actions.

Parents need to learn 2 types of support for the child in the water: under the back of the head and under the chin. The first case is necessary when swimming on your back. The second support is performed when the baby is positioned on the stomach. It is better to use two options at once in practice. Alternating supports will be useful for the baby. His movements will be much more confident and relaxed if you additionally use a special circle. Regular classes allow you to teach your baby to bathe confidently and even swim independently.

Exercises and tricks

Baby swimming at home can be just as exciting as swimming in the pool, according to trainers. Parents only need to choose the right and most interesting exercises. It is better to consult a pediatrician and a neurologist on this issue in advance. Below are the most popular exercises to do at home:

1. Turns and pushes. The exercise is reduced to the approach of the child's legs to the walls of the bath. After he feels the support, he will be able to push off on his own and even roll over from his back.on the stomach. The help of the parent in this case is reduced to a minimum. It is only necessary to slightly hold the baby in the process of pushing and flipping.
2. Splashing. The exercise is performed in the supine position. The child should be supported by the chin and at the same time show him what interesting circles are formed from splashing.
3. Eight. It is better to start this exercise after the baby has well fixed the skill of moving in a straight line. The child must be gently placed on the back or stomach, supported appropriately. Having chosen the maximum acceptable speed, you should imitate the pattern of the number 8.
4. Diving. Most parents are looking forward to this exercise, while the rest are simply afraid of it. To start its implementation should be from the practice of the theoretical part. For 10 days, the baby regularly needs to say the command “Dive!” and at the same time blow in the face. The baby will instinctively close his eyes and hold his breath for a while. Gradually, a small amount of water can be added to the exercise, splashing it after the next command. 10 days after pronouncing the key phrase, the baby must be lowered under water for 1-2 seconds. Gradually, this period of time is increased to 5-6 seconds.

The gradual complication of exercises day by day allows parents to notice a positive trend in the child's skills.

Teaching in the pool

Baby swimming, according to some parents, is best done in the pool. Here you can choose lessons on an individual program or in a group. Average duration of oneworkout is 30 to 45 minutes. During this time, the children have time:

• warm up on dry land;
• get to know the water;
• do gymnastics by the side of the pool;
• swim with noodles, boards, rings and other equipment;
• play in the water with diving elements.

Reviews of baby swimming in the pool from parents indicate a change in the child's behavior in a positive direction after the first lesson. At such trainings, children not only acquire useful skills, but also get to know other kids and adults for the first time.

Contraindications

It is important to understand that even positive feedback about baby swimming is not always an indication for the procedure. It is better to refuse it if you have the following he alth problems:

• acute inflammatory processes accompanied by fever;
• infectious diseases (hepatitis, syphilis, tuberculosis);
• renal/liver failure;
• pathologies of the musculoskeletal system requiring fixation of limbs;
• purulent processes;
• skin diseases;
• heart failure;
• mental illness.

In each case, the period of restriction of activity in the water is determined by the pediatrician. Therefore, before starting wellness procedures, you should consult with a pediatrician.

Opinions of pediatricians

OpinionsPediatricians, as well as coaches, vary greatly in terms of the benefits of infant swimming. Reviews of Komarovsky, for example, about this procedure are found exclusively with a positive color. The pediatrician claims that swimming lessons contribute to the harmonious mental and physical development of the baby. They benefit the body, strengthen muscles. However, many children under the influence of such water procedures grow overly active. It is also impossible to remain silent about the fact that exercise increases the risk of respiratory diseases. The reason for this is a large amount of chlorine in water and air.

It is noteworthy that today in many countries special schools are being opened where pediatricians give lectures to parents about the benefits of such classes. In Russia, the author's technique of infant swimming by T. Azarenka is especially popular. According to children's doctors and parents themselves, her program "Like a fish in water" really helps a baby up to 1.5 years old learn to move independently in the water. It contains over 100 exercises for different learning stages.

Parents' opinion

Mom's feedback on baby swimming is also mostly positive. They say that after classes, children sleep and eat much better, perceive changes in the daily routine well. I am also pleased with the enthusiasm with which the kids perceive each workout. After it, there are always positive emotions. The degree of trust and mutual understanding they have is much higher than that of neglecting the procedures of children.