The safety of children in the water is something of great concern to parents. For this reason, with summer just around the corner, many decide to enroll their children in swimming classes so they can learn to swim.
Generally, the recommended age for a child to learn to swim is around four years. But the truth is that since they are babies they can begin to enjoy the benefits of swimming and the relationship with the aquatic environment.
Baby swimming, also called midwifery, is a kind of swimming class in which babies submerge and move in the water with the company of their parents or another family member, always following the guidelines of a specialized monitor. The exercises that are carried out during this activity consist of displacements, letting the little one float, teaching him to turn, diving, turning, throwing… all this depending on the age and level of the children.
The recommended age for babies to start mid-swimming varies depending on the type of class and center they go to. Generally, it is recommended around six months, as the child’s immune system is thus more developed. In any case, it is best to always consult the pediatrician.
At such a young age, we cannot expect the baby to learn to swim breaststroke. Swimming for babies is not aimed at teaching them to swim per se, but rather it brings them other benefits that are also very positive. Depending on the age of the child and the level of the classes we choose, they can learn to float or swim dog-style, something that will give parents a lot of peace of mind regarding their survival in the water.
Apart from this, one of the main benefits of swimming for babies is that it stimulates the psychomotor development and motor coordination of children. By moving and moving freely through the water, it is a very positive exercise for your muscles, something that will help you reach later milestones in childhood such as sitting, crawling or holding your head.
On the other hand, it is very beneficial for the baby’s cardiorespiratory system. Thanks to swimming, you improve your oxygenation, lung capacity and blood circulation. In addition, it greatly stimulates your senses, both sight and hearing, smell and touch.
On the other hand, it gives them security and familiarizes them with the water, thus reducing the possibility that they will be afraid of it in the future. Likewise, swimming is a very relaxing activity for babies, as it reminds them of their stay inside the mother’s womb. Finally, it strengthens the bond between the child and her parents, since they are her reference figure at all times.
