Thought about taking your baby to swim class?

When your baby isn’t old enough to walk, it may seem silly to take them to the pool or the sea. But there are so many benefits to splashing around and gliding through the water — besides the fact that they look super cute in a bathing suit.

Babies have a natural reflex that helps them hold their breath under water — a reflex that generally disappears at about six months old. (Not many people know that!)

Once they start swimming lessons, that cue is then used when they are submerged, and even young babies learn they need to hold their breath.

Experts say babies who swim from an early age are relaxed and confident in the water and avoid the emotional stress that may come when starting later. 

Studies demonstrate that spending time in the pool helps babies become more self-confident and intelligent (yes, really!) Being in the water engages your baby’s tiny body in a completely unique way, creating billions of new neurons as your sweetie kicks, glides, and smacks at the water.

While there are tremendous benefits to taking your baby to a public pool on your own, formal group swim lessons are important, too. Many people believe that infant swim time makes young children too comfortable in the water, thereby increasing drowning risks, but this is simply not true. In children aged 1 to 4, lessons can significantly reduce your child’s risk of drowning for multiple reasons.

But you don’t want to wait too long to introduce your baby to the pool — children who don’t get their feet wet until later tend to be more fearful and negative about swimming. Younger children are also usually less resistant to floating on their backs, a key life-saving strategy that even some babies can master!

Here’s the lowdown on the amazing benefits of infant swim time.

• Swimming Improves Cognitive Functioning
• Bilateral cross-patterning movements, which use both sides of the body to carry out an action, help your baby’s brain grow.
• Cross-patterning movements build neurons throughout the brain, but especially in the corpus callosum, which facilitates communication, feedback, and modulation from one side of the brain to another.

Down the road, this improves:

• Reading skills
• Language development
• Academic learning
• Spatial awareness

When swimming, your baby moves their arms while kicking their legs. And your cutie is doing these actions in water, which means their brain is registering the tactile sensation of water plus its resistance. Swimming is also a unique social experience, which furthers its brain-boosting power. Learning to interact with other swimmers, sharing of toys and the increase in bonding time with a significant parent.

So why not consider enrolling today with your nearest experienced and qualified swim instructor. Enjoy these special moments with your baby and watch them develop even more every day.