Preparing Your Baby for Swimming Lessons

Swimming is a life-saving skill; and it all starts by getting babies to be confident in bodies of water. Before you start your baby’s first swim lesson, we highlight some essential notes that all parents should know.

Important Facts to Know

Research tells us drowning is the second most common cause of death due to unintentional injury for children in Singapore – the first being death from road traffic injuries. Many more children suffer from other non-fatal injuries for every death from drowning, resulting in physical disabilities.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that globally, the highest drowning rates are among children one to four years, followed by children five to nine years. With such high risks of drowning in children, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has published a series of recommendations for water safety. In its newest water safety guidelines, the AAP recommends children start swimming lessons around one-year-old to help decrease their drowning risks.

Some swim schools hold classes for babies from as young as four months. These classes focus on getting babies familiarised with a water environment to be less afraid of pools, and help build water-confident babies.

Of course, babies won’t be doing freestyle or backstrokes at this age just yet. They will learn blowing bubbles, kicking motion and turning themselves over in water – the cornerstone for swimming skills.

However, studies have shown that babies (below the age of two) who spend too much time in chlorinated pools are more likely to develop asthma, bronchiolitis or other respiratory allergies later in childhood. Indoor pools are also not ideal for babies with a weaker immune system as they would be exposed to a host of pathogenic germs since they are more likely to swallow pool water. Instead, parents may want to start introducing water play at home with their infants.

What Do I Need at Home?

No bathtub? Then get an inflatable pool at home to allow babies to splash around in puddles whilst you control the water level, depending on their age. Even while you create fun memories with baby and get him/her acclimatised to water play, there are still precautions to take. Babies can drown in just one to two inches of water as they have not fully developed their neck muscles, making it easy for them to drown when water enters their nose or mouth. Always keep babies within arm’s reach and water level to a minimum.

Let baby splash safely at home with the Intex Sunset Glow Baby Inflatable Pool ($16.90) in a 3-ring design round pool from Motherswork. The pool has a capacity of approx. 19 litres of water with about 15cm of wall height.

Check out this Intex Baby Inflatable Pool, which can also double up as a bathtub for fun water play as your baby grows into a toddler.

For the little ones who are just not as comfortable as others in the water, having water toys can help encourage them to get their feet wet. We love Oli&Carol's 100% organic plant-based rubber toys, which are not only used for water play but also for teething. Perfect for toddlers who want to investigate everything with their mouth. Their products are free of PVC, BPA, phthalate and nitrosamines, so parents can feel safe when babies bite on these toys.

Made from 100% natural rubber from Hevea trees, eco-conscious babies will love these Oli&Carol Origami Boats Bath Toy ($27.90) from Motherswork, which can be used as teethers or bath toys.

Essentials for Outdoor Water Play

Out of the home, parents may want to go for a dip in the resort’s pool or frolic on the beach on vacation and take their babies or toddlers with them to have some fun. Aside from the usual packing preparations (diapers, snacks and milk, extra clothes), here are some essentials to consider when bringing young ones for their first water play or swimming experience.

Sun protection is vital for babies’ delicate soft skin. You’ll want to keep them well protected in the outdoors with this water-resistant Lil’ Giants Daily Sun Cream SPF 50 - formulated in Singapore (made in Thailand) and is the first child-safe, reef-friendly non-greasy mineral sun cream which can protect from the sun’s UV rays for up to 80mins.

Formulated with lavender oil, Japanese camellia seed oil, honey extract and lemon balm leaf extract, this ultra-mild formulation is non-toxic and safe for babies to keep your baby’s skin soft and protected. Get The Lil’ Giants Daily Sun Cream SPF 50 ($46.00) in 120ml from Motherswork.

Cute flappy hats from LÄSSIG Splash & Fun collection provide shade from the bright sun and increase babies’ cumulative total sun protection.

Head-to-toe sun protection starts with this cute LÄSSIG Sun Protection Flap Hat in Coral ($24.90) from Motherswork. Also available in white.

Some public pools and beaches require babies and toddlers to wear swim diapers instead of regular ones to prevent having faeces containing diarrhoea-causing germs in the pool.

Award-winning Germany brand, LÄSSIG, developed beautiful, functional swimwear range designed for active kids in mind. The material is specially manufactured high-resistant against chlorine, UV rays (UPF 50+) and unsaturated fatty acids found in sunscreen, body lotions and sweat to ensure your kid’s outfit will last for many years after many washes. They come with a waterproof diaper with PU-coating and absorbent inner lining, so you don’t have to worry about floating faeces.

LÄSSIG Boys Long Sleeve Rashguard, Whale+Board Shorts ($69.00) comes in a cute navy blue design with whale print and board shorts made in a high-quality extra soft stretch fabric that ensures a long-lasting fit. Girls can opt for the LÄSSIG Girls Long Sleeve Rashguard, Mrs Seagull+Swim Diaper ($55.00)

Keep in mind that swim diapers are not foolproof, and you should still get babies and toddlers to the toilet every few hours to prevent any leakage in public pools, which could lead to diarrhoea for those sharing the same pool.

If babies or toddlers have diarrhoea, do not allow them to swim.

Put on Intex Deluxe Swim Vest Pool School w/Collar on toddlers who want to play on their own in the water but are not strong swimmers yet. The vest keeps them afloat, allowing them to move freely and practise their kicking in the water. It’s easy to inflate/deflate feature enables you to pack this for beach vacations too.

For outdoor watersports and young swimmers, help them get water confident with Intex Deluxe Swim Vest Pool School w/Collar ($14.90) from Motherswork. Fits kids 3 to 6 years with two adjustable buckles.

Keep a watch on the time and do not overextend their water play, especially if it is in a chlorinated public pool. Once they are done and out of the water, keep babies and toddlers dry with a towel ready to avoid having them catching a cold.

Keep them dry when play is done with Bebe Au Lait Baby Hooded Towel ($59.00) from Motherswork. Made with plushest cotton terry cloth which quickly absorbs water and machine washable. Size approx. 27.5” by 36”.

For children under four years, hypothermia is a risk as they do not have enough body fat to keep them warm. Their smaller bodies also make it harder for them to regulate body temperature, putting them at a higher risk and more susceptible to cold. If you are bringing them to the pool, check that the water temperature should be heated to about 30-34 degree Celcius.

While swimming is a life-saving skill, there is no need rushing to sign up your baby for class. You’ll also want kids to learn at their own pace and not force swimming lessons on them. Take your time and gauge how comfortable your baby is in water before progressing to the next step. Most importantly, have fun creating unforgettable memories with the little one.

Credits: Valeria Zoncoll