It’s National Baby Swimming Week! A time to celebrate, raise awareness, and share the benefits of getting babies and toddlers water confident from an early age. Not only is learning to swim a life skill, but it’s an activity which supports little ones as they grow, helping them achieve key developmental milestones.
As 90% of the neurons in the brain are formed and connected by the time a child reaches five, the evidence reveals the importance and value of being physically active from as young an age as possible, helping to reach their physical, emotional, cognitive, and physiological developmental milestones as they grow.
But what about the parents and carers? Do you know what the benefits of baby swimming are for you? In this blog, we’ll highlight these, and explore why this is a great activity to support you in your parenting journey.
Exploring the outside world
We understand how daunting it can be to take your little one out into the big wide world, especially when they’re newborn. Simple things such as leaving the house, which used to be so easy, can now feel impossible. Especially if you’re against the clock and need to be somewhere! So when you do leave the house, it needs to be for something beneficial, even if it’s just as simple as a walk around the block.
Taking your little one to a lesson such as baby swimming, is a great reason to brave the elements and go for it. From supporting your little one’s key developmental milestones, to learning water safety skills, or even just to expose your little one to a new environment such as a swimming pool. Being in a structured lesson can provide your little one with a new experience which has proven benefits. Even if a swimming lesson is the only thing you do that day, it doesn’t matter. It’s worth leaving the house for!
Socialising
Meeting new parents when you have a little one can be really difficult. Not only this, but parenthood can feel quite lonely, especially if you don’t have friends close-by or you’re the only one on maternity leave.
Having a support network as a parent is key to helping you transition into this exciting stage of your life. It really does take a village to raise a child! Going to baby lessons is a great opportunity to meet new people from your local area and socialise, for both you and your baby.
Try different lessons and see which one works best for you. Swimming is a great way to do this, as it’s not too intimidating. You’ll all be so dedicated to singing, learning new skills, and having fun in the water, you and your classmates will be bonding together without realising it. It’s an opportunity to get out of your comfort zone and try something new, in a supportive and non-judgemental environment.
Bonding time
One of the most important psychological benefits of baby swimming, is the bonding opportunities it provides for you and your baby. The focused time in the water strengthens this bond between baby and carer, through holding them close and the special skin-to-skin contact in the comforting warmth of the water.
Your baby can smell you, feel your heartbeat and breathing, which all helps to calm and relax you both. This stimulation reminds them of the security of the womb. And it’s a special time for you to enjoy together, with no distractions from the hustle and bustle of daily life. It’s the chance to put your phone away, and connect with your little one as they learn a new skill.
Physical benefits
Swimming has many physical benefits. For both adults and babies, swimming helps to keep our heart rate up, builds endurance and muscle strength. It’s also the chance to do some low-impact exercise which isn’t too intense. Taking your little one is swimming is a great physical activity and mini workout for you both.
For babies, being in the water also helps them to move independently before they can crawl or walk. It’s a safe space for them to explore their balance, meaning they’ll become a lot more coordinated out of the water too! Not only this, but swimming has been proven to help improve little one’s appetite and their sleeping patterns. A win-win for the whole family!
Start your journey today
If you’d like to discover more about the benefits of baby swimming, how to get ready for your first lesson, or even some bath-time skills you can do at home, head over to the Water Babies website.
We can’t wait to see you in the pool soon!