Facts About Baby Swimming Classes and Baby Swimming Lesson

There is a great deal of debate surrounding the topic of baby swimming lesson and the definition of swimming. Organizers or baby swimming classes often get questions regarding these lessons and parents especially want to know whether their babies will learn to swim effectively following these lessons. The fact is: baby swimming classes are designed to help the baby only move through water, harmoniously, on their own accord. In the initial stages, the baby can move through the water by kicking and for short distances only. Parents, who have enrolled their child in baby swimming lessons before reaching their first birthday, have noticed that their child can swim comfortably holding their breath for over 20 seconds. Moreover, some babies can also swim for longer distances. But all this takes several hours of practice and a gentle approach to teaching the swimming skills.What is the purpose of baby swimming lesson?The main intention of the baby swimming classes is that the baby should come out of the water relaxed and happy as opposed to panting and panicked. This takes several lessons, each having gradual lengthening of swims.Do baby swimming lesson drown proof a child?This is another misconception that many parents have regarding the baby swim lessons. Baby swimming lessons can never ‘drown proof’ anyone and utmost caution must be exercised at all times. Adult supervision is an absolute necessity especially where there is an open pool in on the property.However, as a baby advances through various levels of the baby swimming classes, he or she can perform maneuvers in the water that can enable one to swim to safety. Despite this, parents should always watch their babies and also be educated in all aspects of water safety like CPR, maintaining pool barriers, safety fences etc.Safety Skills in baby swimming classesThere are many safety skills that baby swimming classes eventually teach the child. It is important to note that these skills should never be forced on the child. Only when a child is ready, should these skills be introduced under the supervision of a trained swimming instructor. One such skill is returning to the surface of the water to take a breath of air. This is important safety skill that can save a baby’s life. But it should not be taught soon as it requires vertical body movement in the water that can impede progress through the water.Aggressive swimming lessonsAnother argument surrounding baby swimming lesson is whether kids learn swimming using harsh teaching methods and techniques. Doctors and experts advise against these techniques, because conditions like hyponatremia or water intoxication can result when a baby swallows a great deal of water. This usually occurs when a baby is pushed too hard and for too long during the swim lessons. Hyponatremia can cause listlessness and disorientation. Parents teaching at home should especially be aware of this. Gentle swimming programs and baby swimming classes are designed to prevent such conditions and only introduce various swimming skills gradually when the child is ready, relaxed and happy.