Babies breathe underwater

Can babies breathe underwater?

It is a myth that babies can breathe underwater - just as it is a myth that they can swim.

But why do babies seem to be able to swim? This is due to the innate diving reflex. The diving reflex kicks in when you get water in the face and ensures that the pharynx and larynx close off. A practical device that makes sure you don't drown. In babies, the diving reflex also includes starting to move arms and legs. The reflex must ensure that you reach the surface again - and must ensure that the baby can manage if it falls into the water by accident. It is precisely that part of the diving reflex that makes it look like babies can swim. However, the movements with the arms and legs disappear over time.

The diving reflex also has no bearing on whether you can go baby swimming of the Lifeguard class online or not. The exercises for the lessons teach the child what is necessary, and the instructors will probably help with the execution and adaptation to different levels.

Before you go to baby swimming

Before you start swimming with your baby, it is a good idea to get baby used to water and to getting water in the head. But remember that the bathtub at home is not the same as the pool in the swimming pool: there is a possibility that the little one will be surprised and maybe even a little scared when you get into the water for the first time.

If you want to avoid baby gurgling in the water, you can make sure to eat 1 hour to 45 minutes before the actual swimming lesson. Then the depots are also full, and you get the best experience in the swimming pool.

In the dressing room

Take your time before going into the water. See the time in the dressing room as part of the experience, and take your time getting ready. Some swimming pools even recommend that you take your time and arrive a little late to class rather than stress through the whole thing if you're out the door too late.

Remember that both you and baby have to shower before you go into the water. Even if you don't plan on having your head under water, you still need to remember to wash your hair. Leave the make-up at home - you have to wash it off before the swimming lesson starts anyway.

Let your child keep the clothes on while you undress first. Then you prevent the little one from getting cold. If necessary, let the baby sit in a bathtub with water while you bathe yourself and put on your bathing suit. Then it's the baby's turn. After the bath, you must dry the baby completely before putting the diaper on. Then you wrap the baby in a towel and head out to the hot water pool.

It is important that you follow the swimming pool's rules for baby's swimwear and nappies. The swimming trunks must fit tightly around the legs and stomach, so that no accidents happen in the water. It is always better to double check if you are unsure. It takes around 3 hours to clean a pool of faces. Most swimming pools offer swim diapers either free or for a low price. If the nappy gets full while you are in the water, you just get up, change and bathe baby before the new nappy is put on.

You can easily take a small bag with the essentials into the swimming pool. It can be ready at the edge of the pool with a pacifier, bottle and towel if you need it.

After you have been to baby swimming

When the team is over - or the little one is tired - it's back to the bath. Make sure you have an extra towel with you into the hall that you can wrap baby in on the way to the changing room. Otherwise, it can seem like a violent change in temperature from water to air. Take off the wet bathing suit immediately so that baby does not get cold.

After the bath, remember to dry the ears extra well to avoid otitis media. Chlorine can have a drying effect on the skin, so it is a good idea to slather the child in a good perfume-free cream to add moisture to the skin.

The little one will be tired after a trip in the water - but also hungry. Have a sip of milk or a biscuit ready so that things can calm down a bit more.

While you yourself get dry and get dressed, baby must not be wrapped too much in blankets or towels. It is hot and humid in the changing room, and it can quickly become uncomfortable to be completely enclosed. Instead, wait with the "wrapping" until just before you go out the door again. Remember a hat to protect your ears in both summer and winter.

Swimming is tiring for both you and your baby, and a nap is almost certainly just around the corner after a round of baby swimming. If junior is even so tired that bathing and oiling seems completely unmanageable, wait until after the nap. It doesn't hurt to shower a little later, and the smell of chlorine doesn't bother baby.

And then it's home, enjoy the long nap and look forward to the next time.

ILLNESS AND BABY SWIMMING

It is, of course, an individual assessment whether you go or not. But as a general rule, sick children should not go swimming - not even if they have Otis media. With a mild cold, where the nose is not really blocked and the snot is clear, you can perhaps make an exception. The most important thing is that you pay attention to your child: if baby already seems tired, it is not certain that you will get much out of baby swimming with Lifeguard Classes that day. Then it is better to stay at home and get to the hooks again.

EVERYTHING ELSE YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BABY SWIMMING

Price for baby swimming

There can be large fluctuations in the price of baby swimming. It depends both on the part of the country, team length, season and the competition in the immediate area. Prices start at approximately DKK 600 and move upwards. The price is usually for a season of 3 months, where you can swim once a week. Some swimming pools offer a clip card scheme and others have drop-in. As a general rule, it is cheaper with a season ticket than paying per ticket. walk.

Smile!

Your mood affects your child's. That's why it's always good to be positive in the water yourself. When you are calm, happy and radiate security, baby feels it and becomes comfortable in the situation himself. Baby swimming strengthens the bond between the two of you.

Pictures

Some swimming pools allow parents to take pictures during swimming lessons if everyone in the team gives their consent. In some places, the instructors take pictures, which can be accessed with a password on the swimming hall's website or sent by email. The conditions and rules vary from swimming pool to swimming pool. Always ask both the instructor and the other parents before you pull out the camera and start taking pictures of the little water dogs.

Learn more about swimming: How does my child learn to swim?