13 Reasons for Infant Swimming

Safety. Drowning is the 2nd greatest cause of accidental deaths. Learn to swim leads to reduced chance of drowning. Infants can accept water more easily. Children older than 3 may require 8-10 lessons before comfortably submerging head. Fear of water is acquired as children grow older. Infants automatically hold their breath and make swimming movements. These behaviors can fade as early as 3 months of age. Babies can exercise more muscles in the water, since they are less restricted by gravity. This increased strength can lead to early acquisition of physical skills (walking) Swimming improves cardiovascular fitness. Early mastery of water movement can lead to early stroke instruction (2 ½ years) Water helps improve coordination and balance by forcing babies to move bilaterally to maintain equilibrium. Warm water and gentle exercise lead to better sleeping and eating patterns. Good for asthmatics. Swimming stimulates less wheezing (possibly pool atmosphere less irritating to lungs) Flourish in focused attention Independence and self-confidence grow Skin to skin contact can deepen parent/care-giver bond. The Baby Swim Book by Cinda L. Kochen, Janet McCabe

Last Updated on Friday, September 03 2010 09:49