Learning to swim: how does baby do it?

All babies learn to swim with repetition exercises, word associations, and regular swimming sessions. Teaching baby to swim is a breeze!

Baby learns to swim step by step

From the first weeks, babies naturally make rhythmic, coordinated movements and stop breathing underwater. After 6 months, this beneficial reflex in learning to swim eventually diminishes. Why? Because baby is taking control of his breathing when he goes in the water.

Until age 3, infants and toddlers lack the strength, coordination and motor skills needed to swim on the surface. Their body mass also complicates the task. However, with the right guidance and lots of encouragement, these little shrimp can swim short distances underwater.

Their motor skills, strength and endurance will result in self-sufficient swimmers with perfectly controlled arm and leg movements. Later, these babies will grow up to kick and swim the crawl.

Baby learns to swim with his head under water thanks to his natural ability to cut off his breathing.

Learning about starfish!

One of the first positions to teach your baby is the back float (starfish). This is generally the most comfortable position for a baby when in the water, as is the case for children 3 years and older.

However, if your baby really doesn’t like this position, just hold him or her upright. Have your arms outstretched in front of you, hands under your armpits, child’s shoulders in the water and baby facing you. Keep your face 20 to 40 cm away so he can see you. And this until your baby builds up enough confidence in the water to try again. The starfish is a relaxing position that allows your baby to feel the sensation of floating away from the womb.

Learning to swim with your baby is a unique experience.

https://blog.swimstars.fr/3-bonnes-raisons-inscrire-cours-bebe-nageur/