Why You Need to Teach Your Baby How To Swim
Many parents are discovering the art of teaching their baby to swim. Not only is it fun for your baby to swim, bond with you, and play with other babies, it is a great way for you to interact with other parents as well. It was only discovered in the 1960's that babies were able to swim independently underwater. But since then, it has been learned that it promotes self-confidence and personal development - physical and emotional. It gives your baby a calming, zero-gravity environment to move freely where they otherwise could not on land. This is incredibly beneficial to babies with Downs syndrome and cerebral palsy. The benefits of baby swimming include; increased motor development, social skills and intelligence, increased concentration, alertness, and perceptual abilities, and improved nap time and night time sleep patterns. Babies who learn how to swim have been known to walk earlier as well, due to their increased muscle control. It's only natural for a baby to feel comfortable and happy in the warm water. You don't have to worry about your child breathing, because they automatically hold their breath while underwater. This is called the "mammalian dive reflex". After all, they did spend their first 9 months in fluid. If you have your own pool, it is up to you as a parent to decide when you want your baby to start swimming. There is no age limit. They can even start right after birth. Some classes
however, ask that you wait until they are 3 months. Others recommend you start as early as possible. But keep in mind, the longer you wait, their confidence in the water decreases. Closer to their first year, they can actually develop a fear of water if they are not familiar with it. You should never force your child to learn if they don't want to. This will only result in a stressful situation for your child which could become a problem later on. Don't expect your baby to start swimming like a pro right away. It takes time and patience. But even though they can't swim on the water's surface until they are about three, they can swim for short distances under the water with the help and encouragement of their parent. Have an underwater camera available to capture that special moment. Check with your local community swimming pool to see if they have classes available. You and your new baby will love it. Cassandra Germsheid is the owner of Baby Tips Online (http://www.babytipsonline.com). She is a stay at home mother but sometimes works part time for her local newspaper.
Related News
Your Toddler Might Need a Cholesterol Test - U.S. News & World Report
Your Toddler Might Need a Cholesterol TestU.S. News & World Report, DC -Jul 7, 2008In the past, docs worried that babies wouldn't get enough fat, which is critical for brain development, if they didn't drink whole milk. ... |
Welcome to Nashville, Sunday Rose! - My Tennessean.com
Welcome to Nashville, Sunday Rose!My Tennessean.com, TN -5 hours ago“Also, the best trick out there that worked wonders with my daughter and all my friends babies is a Fisher Price Infant Toddler Rocker… ... |
Giving babies space to grow - The Dominion Post
The Dominion Post |
Giving babies space to growThe Dominion Post, New Zealand -19 hours agoInstead, a toddler who is very sure of his newly-learnt walk, greets us with a gummy smile and leads the way to a room with half a dozen mums and babies, ... |
Signs show that babies can be taught simple hand gestures - St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Calling All Babies and Toddlers: It's Time to Savor the Flavors of ... - Market Wire (press release)
How to spend more time with the children - guardian.co.uk
How to spend more time with the childrenguardian.co.uk, UK -18 hours agoAfter spotting an advert in a trade publication, she bought a franchise of Musical Minis - which provides music classes for babies and toddlers - and has ... |
The Less-Stress Family Vacation - Reader's Digest
The Less-Stress Family VacationReader's Digest, NY -Jul 7, 2008There's also the issue of sand: Older, more mobile babies and toddlers who are prone to putting things in their mouths will be a challenge. ... |
NBC urged to cancel 'Baby Borrowers' due to health, safety concerns - Reality TV World
Kinderhotels offer a special menu for little ones - Easier (press release)
The Positive Power of "No" - KREN CW 27 TV
The Positive Power of "No"KREN CW 27 TV, NV -Jul 7, 2008As babies, children raised in a supportive home are the center of the universe. Everything is done for them. In their toddler years, children begin to ... |
|
|
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Baby Birthmarks
As many as one in three babies are born with a birthmark. These are neither painful or harmful, although about one in a hundred will require medical treatment. If the birthmark is hidden from view it is generally not a problem, but if it is on the face or neck parents will often want to do all they can to remove the mark, especially if baby is a girl.
Why Convertible Cribs Make Sense
Who doesn't love cool gadgets that morph into dozens of tools with a twist of the wrist. Finding baby equipment that grows with your child is like hitting the jackpot ? particularly when it involves big ticket items.
Purchasing a crib is one of the major decisions you'll make when furnishing your child's nursery. Size, style and color are important considerations, however another option is quickly moving up on the priority checklist ? being able to convert from a crib into a larger bed.
You'll generally use a crib for the first two to three years and then move on to a larger bed. Toddlers are still small enough to comfortably lie down in a crib, but many parents move to a bed so the child can easily get in and out ? especially important if you have a child that is scaling the sides the of the crib.
Manufacturers today are making cribs with adjustable mattress heights, removable sides and add-on kits that let you easily change the crib into a toddler or day bed and even a full size bed. These models may cost slightly more but taking into consideration that the use of the crib has been extended from two to twenty years, the additional up-front cost may be worthwhile.
For more details on convertible cribs, visit your local baby store or a furniture showroom specializing in child's furniture. Some of our favorite convertible cribs are by:
Da Vinci
The convertible cribs created by Da Vinci are some of the most beautiful cribs we have seen on the market, hands down. While some models, like the stunning sleigh bed, have sides that do not drop down, the upside is you have a beautiful piece of furniture that doesn't look like it's a crib masquerading as a bed.
Storkcraft
We've all been oohing and ahhing over the new 5 in 1 convertible by Storkcraft. Not only does it do all the normal crib to toddler to day bed to double bed transitions, but it can also be changed into a sofa! Just imagine sending your child off to college with a sofa that was once their crib! Now that getting your moneys worth!
Alta Baby
One of our moms raves about her 4 in 1 convertible bed (crib, youth bed, day bed, headboard/footboard for full size bed) and has reported that the conversion has been smooth each step of the way.
Potty Training Guide
Toilet training (herein referred to as "potty training") is an exciting time for parents and children, as the child takes the next step to becoming a "big" girl or boy. While parents usually start this adventure filled with the anticipation of being able to cross "diapers" off the shopping list, their toddlers can make them wonder if this will ever happen.
Baby Showers To Remember
Every mother wants an enchanting baby shower for her new baby ranging from shower decorations to invitation. These baby showers are a mere cakewalk essential for the baby care by both the parents. Not only baby shower themes revolve around Rubber Duckies, Diapers, and Bottles but also involves like shower decorations, shower recipes.
Baby Development - But What Role do Parents Play?
It is truly amazing the development that a baby experiences in the first year of life. Every week seems to bring another milestone for parents as well as baby! The primary way a baby learns is through play and baby games, it is how they start to make sense of their world. By providing a nurturing and safe environment for our babies we help to promote this learning that aids their early development.
TEA for TWO, For BABY and YOU!
Baby Rooibos Tea is naturally good for your baby. It is an anti-allergic nutritional supplementary drink and is suitable for babies from birth. It can help relieve the following conditions:
10 Ways to Make Toilet Training Fun & Exciting
Blue & Yellow Make Green - Put a few drops of blue food coloring in the toilet and show your child that the color turns green when he or she pees!
Hello World: Babys Third Month Guide
Remember how you wished your baby would learn there is more
to life than crying, feeding and sleeping? Your wishes are
coming true. Your baby's third month will see her become
much more interactive. So much so with some babies, that
parents secretly sigh, "Why doesn't she ever sleep?" Wonder
what to expect in the third month?
Baby Poems for Saying Whats On Your Heart
Baby poems and baby shower poems can express any sentiment. Whether sweet, funny, or loving, poems are an ideal way to say what's on your heart. And if you need some help with what to say, online you can find everything you're looking for having to do with poems and baby shower poems.
Better Health and Happiness for Your Baby
The design of your home has an amazing affect on the health and well being of your baby. If it is in harmony with nature, it will have a positive influence on young children. If not, problems will become apparent in subtle and ways.
Creating Good Feng Shui in Babys Room
Getting ready for a new baby requires a lot of thought and planning from what diapers the baby will wear down to the decoration and arrangement of baby's room. Today's parents want to create a haven for their little one that will help the baby feel comforted and nurtured, as well as stimulated enough so that they thrive. Increasingly, parents are going beyond the traditional coordinated "theme" rooms to ensure baby has a healthy environment by incorporating feng shui.
Safely Feeding Babies - 10 Important Tips
Babies usually triple their birth weight the first year. That's why nutritious and safely handled food, served in an age-appropriate way, is so important. Being aware of safe food handling practices and potential feeding dangers are the best ways to protect your family from food illnesses and accidents, while also giving your child a healthy start on development and growth. Here are a few important tips and reminders.
Gift Giving For Baby
Since they are you friends or relatives, chances are you know their lifestyle. Do they like to travel or like taking day trips to the amusement parks or zoos? If yes, backpack diaper bag is a good idea. A backpack diaper bag frees up both hands and it looks good on both man and woman. Baby carrier is another good choice for gift for active parents. Think about other travel accessories like shopping cart strap, stroller cup holder and other small but useful traveling gadgets. Portable booster is a good idea too. It is always cleaner than the ones you find in most restaurants.
The Perfect Baby Shower Gift
Have you found yourself frustrated trying to decide what to buy for a baby shower gift? By the time you have spent energy, money and time buying and wrapping the "perfect" gift, you find that someone else had the same idea. This scenario is the same embarrassment that you felt in Jr. High School when some girl wore the identical dress for the Spring Dance. I can reassure you that help is on the way for those who don't find gift shopping a thrill a minute.
Breast Feeding Basics For Your Newborn Baby
It is a myth that bottle-feeds and breast-feeding is equally good. Mother's milk is the best for proper growth of the child. There are certain nutrients in the mother's milk that helps the baby fight illnesses while also promoting brain development. As compared to breast fed babies, the formula-fed babies are more prone to illnesses.
How Much Water For Baby?
While drinking more water is a good idea for everyone,
especially during hot summer months, too much water can be
harmful to infants 6 months old and younger. According to a
study in Clinicians Reviews a 1997 survey of new mothers
found that nearly 25 percent give their babies water at
least 3 times per week in the first month of life.
How to Choose a Baby Bathtub
Choosing a baby bathtub is likely one of the easiest decisions you'll have to make when it comes to acquiring supplies for the new arrival. Basically, if it holds water, you're all set.
White Noise for Baby Stops Colic Crying Fast
It's true. Colic is MUCH harder on the parent than the infant. My daughter survived six months of colic unscathed. My husband and I are a different story. We have deep psychological scars that send us scurrying for the nearest exist every time we hear a baby cry.
Baby Acne
One of the most common conditions a new mother may see on her infant, is baby acne. But while it is startling in so young a child, it's really not a serious issue, nor should you be overly concerned about the causes or cures.
Baby?s First Shoes: How to Choose the Right Ones
Any parent of an active toddler has asked this question: "When should my child start wearing shoes?"
|
