We are Indian, and my baby’s grandparents are residing in India. Almost everyday when they talk to our baby over whatsapp, her grandpa always says when are we guys going to teach her swimming. At the beginning it seems kinda impossible to me. She was still 5 month-ish! How come we can take her out for swim! She will just drown. That was my initial day’s reaction. But he was adamant. He kept asking. Then me and my better half though, ok, lets take her out to the pool. What worse could happen. May be she will drink some pool water, that’s it, right. Then we started watching YouTube videos on what tips and tricks we should follow on baby’s first swimming. And we got couple of really handful tips which helped us seize the swimming journey. Though 6-7 months of age could be the best time to start teaching swimming to your baby, we got a bit late starting it. We started teaching her when she was 12 months old.
Once we camped in the Hunting Island beach in South Carolina; it was a ocean front camp. Our little one got so excited seeing the water, so that moment kicked us with the idea that okay, we need to take her out to water more often. Then one day we went to check out our community pool, but it was still closed because of the winter season. Then we were searching where we can go to do this. Then we went to Lake Murray Public Park in South Carolina, around 15 minutes drive from our house. Spent 5 dollars to get access to the park, and it was a beautiful beach out there. Clean water, there were some gentle waves but to was safe.
We gave her a swimming diaper so that the stuff can’t come outside and make water dirty. I got into the water first to check everything and let my baby walk into the water. As the bottom of the lake was getting steep very rapidly, she immediately fall onto the water. But I was there. I took her up, and was helping her to float holding her on her chest and belly. She was super excited and kicking her hands and legs continuously. Some water got intoner mouth, I saw that, because of the little waves. But I wasn’t worried enough as long as it was not too much. I was moving around with her holding in the same position, went deep into the water, and she was enjoying all the time. After spending around 20 minutes, I realized she was shivering with cold. I though that’s enough for the day and got out of the water.
The next day before we went to the same park, we bough a baby floating tube. It was suitable for 12 to 18 months old. But there is smaller tube available as well if you want to start before 12 months of age. Before going to the lake, we used to watch for sun. If it is sunny and hot outside, we used to put sunscreen on her body and face, as well as on our skin as well. We also made sure, the water is not too cold for her. Apart from all these, there is nothing much to take care. You need to just make sure they drive their hands and legs as much as the can. The more they through their hand and legs in the water, the faster they will learn swimming. That is my understanding.
If you are not comfortable teaching her swimming by yourself, you will find a number of pools around the city where you can teach your baby swimming at affordable cost. But if you go to these kind of park like the one we used to go, don’t forget to take some snacks and drinks for yourself as well. People go there to swim, play and barbecue; usually a great place to spend a quality friends and family time. Before going for this kinda trip, don’t forget to take extra set of cloths for yourself, apart for the baby’s ones. Who knows, what if you can’t stop yourself jumping onto the cool water!