how to teach your baby to swim (under 7 months)

Here are the proven instructions to teach babies to go under water if under 7 months using the air in the face reflex:

Blow like a gentle gust of wind onto the baby’s face.  You can see your baby take in a gulp of air and/or make a funny face – do this several times before you go in the pool to see if your baby still has this reflex. (This reflex is usually lost between 4 and 9 months)

Follow these steps in the pool:

• After the baby is comfortable and playful in the water, hold the baby under the arms facing you, and make eye contact with your baby. 
• Count to three to set the signal,
• blow quickly on your baby’s face
• watch your baby make the funny face
• smoothly and gently lower the baby’s head completely under the water for one second
• When you raise your baby, wipe your baby’s nose so that not even a tiny water bubble will go into the nose. 
• Give your baby a hug to your chest so that the baby will blow out and not swallow any air.  Skipping this step may cause the baby to develop a hard tummy.  This may become a big burp, and may even lead to throwing up.  
• Immediately distract your baby with a toy.
• Do this about 5-10 times a session if the baby doesn’t show any discomfort.
• Extend the time under the water to up to 5 seconds pulling your baby toward you for a short glide as you step back.
• Place your hand gently behind your baby’s head gliding your baby to another person.
• Scatter underwater practice with practice on the other skills as instructed on the dvd, and playing with your baby.
• Enjoy your time together!

Are you taking an infant to a public pool?

Steps you should take if you take your infant to a public pool: 

 

Be sure that the pool that you use is properly maintained and balanced.

The water temperature of the pool should be more than 81 degrees. 

Get the baby accustomed to the water slowly because of the change 
necessary to the baby’s body temperature.  
Don't keep a young baby in cool water more than 10 minutes at a time.

Hold your baby close to you to give him a feeling of security.  
Sing and talk to him calmly.  
Do not show any signs of nervousness or alarm.  
Use smooth movements, not jerky ones.  
When the baby goes under the water or gets water on his face, 
hug him to you so that he is forced to blow air out.  
Wipe his nose so not even a tiny drop of water goes up his nose.  
Always have your child rinse off the pool chemicals and use ear drops, 
such as "Swim Ear", that help prevent ear infections.
Have fun!