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Getting Started - Baby Swimming
Before starting swimming lessons its important that you create a positive attitude to the water at home. From babies first bath try and ensure it is a positive experience for them. The more nervous or apprehensive you are the more baby will be. Where possible bath or shower with your baby everyday. This not only helps to develop a unique bond with your baby but reassures them that the water is a positive place to be. Remember they spent 9 months in water before entering this world so water is a familiar environment for your baby. If starting baby when older it is still important that they understand and respect the water. Again bathing daily with you will reinforce the positive aspects and ensure baby does not develop any fears of the water. Many parents see the water as DANGEROUS and often will tell babies to stay away from the pool or bath and jump or react if baby slips in the bath and goes under the water. YOU SHOULD NEVER TAKE YOUR EYES OFF BABIES AND CHILDREN AT ANYTIME WHEN IN AROUND OR NEAR WATER. However should they slip under try not to panic or react negatively as baby will become scared and relate the water as a negative experience. We are one of the few swim schools in Melbourne that take babies in the water from 3months of age. The ideal time for babies to be in the water is first thing in the morning when the water quality is at its best. This being the case we run most of our baby classes on a Saturday morning. You can start at any age keep in mind that by the age of approximately 6 - 8months babies loose their 'natural' swimming reflexes and after we then need to 'teach' them how to do certain skills that would otherwise be quite easy for them. An example is the kicking reflex when held in this position (left) with mum or dad walking backward with baby they will kick (this is a reflex) if we use the word kick, kick, kick while doing this, once the reflex is gone baby will understand what kicking is and be able to kick on demand. We do not want babies to have a 'no fear' attitude to the water we teach them to love and respect the water with a huge emphasis on water safety. Many people take for granted how lucky we really are in Australia. Surrounded by magnificent Beaches, incredible multi-million dollar Aquatic Centres and the luxury (for some) of a home pool. With summer well under way we have all been heading for the nearest 'watering hole' for relief from the harsh Australian sun.
Swimming is a way of life for most people. In Australia the vast majority of parents agree that their child 'should' learn to swim. The lingering question remains at what age should your child start having formal lessons? This would have to be one of THE most asked questions of the Aquatic industry today. The Aquatic industry is fast becoming a highly respected profession. Gone are the days of teaching with little to no training as the courses teachers undergo to become qualified are of an exceptionally high standard. As teachers we set these high standards to help instil confidence in swimmers of all ages. Our common goal is to build this confidence along with water safety and stroke skills to help minimise the risk of the child getting in trouble in the water. A child can never be 'water proof' or 'drown proof' and your presence during any form of water activity is a necessity.
From conception your child begins to develop in a warm and nourishing water environment and continues to do so up to birth. With their first breath also comes a harsh reality that they now must learn to accept a life dominated by - gravity. Once having entered our world your child relies on you to make many decisions for them, many that will remain with them well into their adult lives.
You may not realise, from the time of your babies very first bath you are teaching him about the water. How you act or react to every water experience will have a direct impact on your baby. Your baby learns from you in every possible way and there is no better teacher for him than Mum or Dad. This is where lessons become important for you and your baby.
The recommended age to begin 'commercial' lessons is when your child is 6 months of age. Until this age your baby's immune system may not have developed enough to handle the harsh chemicals of a large swimming pool. Six months is also around the age when baby will have his final injection and therefore will be less at risk of picking up infections at public swimming pools.
Starting baby young has its advantages. Not only are they learning breath control, floating, kicking and other aquatic skills, but also you and your child will experience interactive play in a completely relaxed medium, unlike anything you have ever experienced before. You will learn how to hold baby in the water so you both feel relaxed and safe. You will need to consider several important factors when choosing a good baby swimming program. At this young age lessons need to be for parents more so than for baby. Remember your baby learns EVERYTHING from its parents in the early stages of life so, if you can learn how to teach your baby chances are the process of learning will be all the more enjoyable and rewarding. Beginning lessons later at say four or five years will mean you both miss out on discovering the water together from a young age. It is never too late to start to learn and children of this age do learn very quickly once a regular routine is set. Children at this age know fear and may take longer to become accustomed to the water than a young baby, especially if they are not familiar with a pool environment. One advantage/disadvantage is parents won't need to be in the water, but you can always make time to 'play' before or after the lesson. At this age children learn basic strokes along with floating and survival skills, please be aware children may only enter the water for their lesson at Fish Links and we do not have a play area they can use prior to or after lessons. Regardless of age lessons will help babies and children develop safety skills, strength and stamina and enable them to feel comfortable in the water. This inturn will help reduce the risk of them panicking in an unexpected situation that may have otherwise been fatal. 'Remember no one including adults is EVER 'water proof' and children should always be supervised. We hope you enjoy your lessons at Fish Links Swim School - Inquiry page
Information on custom made ear plugs click here
Written By
The issue of ear infections has long been at the forefront of the concerns parents have about getting into swimming lessons. It has generally been accepted that swimming is not a causative factor with inner and middle ear infections, but myths regarding this still prevail. It is often incorrectly assumed that water getting into the ear while swimming causes ear infections. While this could play a role in a condition affecting the outer ear canal, such as "swimmer's ear," in reality, pathogens traveling internally through the Eustachian tubes into the middle and inner ear are the primary cause of the ear infections which affect children. There is no medical evidence that I have seen correlating swimming and ear infections.
Another question that generally arises in relation to ears and swimming is if children with "tubes" should be allowed to swim. Children with chronic ear infections sometimes have a procedure called myringotomy, or tympanotomy, performed. This involves making an incision in the eardrum to help drain fluid and allow an exchange of air between the middle and outer ear. Tubes, or grommets, are inserted in the incision to maintain the opening. It has often been assumed that because of this opening, children with tympanostomy tubes should not be allowed to swim.
In the N
There is more recent information to support the advice that swimming with tympanostomy tubes is permissible. Carla Giannoni, MD states, "I believe that children should be allowed to swim following a TT (tympanostomy tube) surgery. The dangers of water exposure are more theoretical than observed. Ear protection and water avoidance are unnecessary burdens to place on our patients." (
In addition to the question of whether to swim with tubes or not, there is the question of whether to use ear plugs. Dr. Giannoni summarizes data provided in other sources by saying, "
In the same journal listed above, Dr. Giannoni's article was reviewed by other medical professionals who supported her claim. Charles M. Myer III, MD, offered the following, "My personal philosophy is similar to that of Dr. Giannoni. When questioned by parents of children with TT's regarding my attitude about swimming, I tell them that I would rather treat a child with a draining ear than a victim of drowning. Though this response is somewhat facetious, it is the case that otorreha in children who swim with TT's can be treated readily with topical agents and, if necessary, systemic antimicrobial therapy. Surface and shallow water swimming should be encouraged in all children as a normal developmental activity." Linda Brodsky, MD, also adds, "It is my practice to allow children with TT's to swim and bathe without ear protection. For lake swimming I do warn about potential problems."
It is not the place of swimming professionals to diagnose any medical condition or to contradict advice given by a doctor. However, it is the job of swimming professionals to educate their clients and develop their programs following the most up to date and accurate information available. What is presented here is information from the medical community stating that swimming is a healthy, worthwhile activity, and that ear infections, and in particular swimming with tubes, should not prevent children from accessing the possible developmental and safety benefits that swimming has to offer.
I hope some of this information will be helpful in dealing with the issue of ears and swimming.
Happy Swimming! © Dave DuBois
(Thanks to N Contact - Leonie Anderson
Work: (03) 9355 8820 Rooms in Essendon & Sunbury We have had excellent feedback about these ear plugs that are custom made and work extremely well in the water. Allowing children to continue learning vital lifesaving skills without the worry of previous ear troubles. Over the last few years we have recommended many people to see Leonie and the feedback has always been very positive. We would highly recommend anyone to see her as it is important all children learn to swim and maintain those skills through out the years. |
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