What if they are toddlers, or even infants?
This question has been a controversial issue for some time. When is the right time? When is a child too young.
Suddenly, a change of stance by the nation’s largest pediatrics group is relaxing previous philosophies that children younger than 4 shouldn’t take swimming lessons.
In the past, the American Academy of Pediatrics said swim classes might give toddlers and parents a false sense of security.
Now this group says it’s fine to enroll children as young as 1.
A few studies suggest toddlers may be less likely to drown if they’ve had swim lessons. But doctors aren’t recommending lessons for every young child, since some parents may feel their little ones aren’t ready.
Parents should choose classes that emphasize water safety and require a parent or other adult to be in the water with the child, said Connie Harvey who heads aquatics development for the American Red Cross.
She said classes should have at least one instructor for every 10 students.
The updated policy by the American Academy of Pediatrics, released online Monday, recommends fences around all pools, even popular inflatable ones. It said kids can drown by leaning over the soft sides and falling in.
The group also warns that children can drown when their hair or hands get sucked into the drains of pools or spas without drain covers or proper filter-pump equipment.
The rate of childhood drowning deaths has declined in recent years to between 1,000 and 1,500 annually.
Parents should be vigilant while children swim, but trouble can occur in an instant of inattention. It’s not a lack of supervision, it’s a lapse of supervision.
Starting swimming lessons at the youngest possible age holds many benefits.
Some experts say it is never too early to get your baby or child in the water. In fact, many moms start extra early by giving birth in the water!
Truthfully, the soonest you can get your child in the water the better. After being in the womb, babies often find the floating sensation of the swimming pool soothing and very pleasant reminder of those nine months. They say it is easy to nurture and develop a child simply by making regular trips to the pool.
If it’s not feasible or possible to start your infant in the water, start when you can. But remember that the longer you wait, the more difficult it will be. A two year old will often do better than a three old, and a three year old better than a four year old.
Another concern for many parents is pool water. They are concerned that the chemicals in pool water will harm their child.
In fact, it is quite the opposite. Chlorine kills germs, bacteria and algae, but won’t hurt your child in the diluted form found in your neighborhood pool. It might dry out your skin, but a quick shower and some lotion will resolve that.
Many toddlers and babies are prone to eczema and parents have valid concerns over whether a skin-drying agent such as chlorine would be detrimental to the condition. The answer to this is maybe, though it can also quite surprisingly have the opposite affect.
Often parents of babies with eczema find that the chlorinated water has improved or completely relieved the condition, much like the effects of salt-water healing a wound.
As always, check with your doctor, but never discount the possibility entirely without giving it a try.
If you are still concerned about the proper age for swimming lessons, that’s understandable. But remember, researchers have documented the fact that infant/toddler swimming lessons have the potential to increase intelligence, concentration, alertness and perceptual ability.
Should babies learn to swim? Why not?
