Babies and swim lessons
OPINION: As parents we’re bombarded with advice. We’re told of the many different things we could or should do to help baby’s brain and body develop, especially in the first year.
We’re told that the things we do, or don’t do, lay the foundation for making them smart, confident and healthy children. It can sound like if we don’t do all the right activities then our babies will definitely fall behind the others.
Baby swimming classes are offered to babies as young as six weeks and don’t come cheap. A term can cost between $100 and $250 per child.
Of course six week old babies won’t learn to swim or ‘‘survive’’ in the water. There’s the myth that babies are born with the ability to swim but forget how to if they don’t do it. However, if we take them to swimming lessons early on they’ll keep this amazing ability.
Nice idea, but sadly not true. What is true is that most mammals have something called the diving reflex. When submerged they hold their breath for a short time, the heart slows down and shifts blood away from the peripheral muscles to conserve oxygen for the brain and heart.
And while the skill is very handy for a whale calf, it’s not so helpful for a human baby. If they fall into water, they’ll drown. There’s no doubt about that.
Back in the day, children started swimming classes at about age four, when they were thought to be ready due to their neurological maturity. Many doubt that swimming lessons for kids any younger than that will do much good at all.
Some paediatricians also point to the dangers. Babies can easily catch a cold or tummy bug, some are concerned that they could get hypothermia, swallow too much water, or develop a respiratory illness caused by the chemicals in the water. Those risks may be small, but they’re worth considering before hitting the pool.
There are even concerns that parents who take their children to swimming classes might develop a false sense of security and supervise them less vigilantly around water.
Let’s be clear. There’s only one thing that helps prevent children drowning and that’s never taking our eyes off them when they’re around a body of water, no matter how small or shallow it is. •
Jule Scherer shares her first steps as a mum of twin girls weekly on Stuff.