Category: Swimming

1. Reasons why baby swimming is good for Dad's too!

   Posted on 9:27am Wednesday 2nd Dec 2015

   We often hear of the benefits of swimming for a baby but how about the reasons why baby swimming is good for Dad's too?

   

   Baby swimming is often a child’s first social experience out of the home that involves other children. They learn to relate and interact with each other and it is a great opportunity for dads to meet like minded people who share common interests.

   Research has suggested that babies who participate in swimming are often more alert for their age and have better eating and sleeping patterns. So it is a great chance for you to enjoy time with your little one but also to know that you are aiding your child’s future development.

   As a former swimmer for the county, the man on the Lilypad loves seeing his daughter swim and loves the chance to swim with her, which is a great bonding experience for them both (not to mention time for them to laugh over and over again about dunking daddy under the water). 

   Swimming together is not only a great weekly activity but when your baby is in regular swim lessons, it makes going on holiday more enjoyable and your little one looks forward to playing in the water and you get to enjoy the water too, without fretting about their water safety abroad!

    

   With so many activities seemingly focused on mother and baby, swimming lessons are a great opportunity for the Dad's to get involved and as the man on the Lilypad is super competitive, he takes great pride in her achievements every week. Although he is not a fan of taking her into the mens changing rooms, so it is good to select a pool with family changing facilities.

   There will become a time when we no longer get in the water with her for her lessons and that time is getting closer and closer. She no longer wants held in the water as she has confidence to swim on her own but she still looks for reassurance and approval. I see him getting wistful about how quickly she is growing up but I know that no matter how big and confident she gets, she will always be Daddy's little girl.

   Tweet

2. Where is the little shark?

   Posted on 9:39am Wednesday 16th Sep 2015

   Every person has a natural in built fear of the water. The human body not naturally designed to be underwater which is why swimming is such an important life skill for any child. But what if confidence holds a child back, what then?

   We are huge swimming advocates and ensure that the girls swim on a weekly basis but going on holiday this summer meant a new pool, new depths, no lifeguards and a big adventure as far as the girls were concerned but I was a little more cautious. I was therefore delighted when Swimfin gave us the opportunity to try out one of the pink shark fins for our summer holiday.

   The website tells us that the SwimFin compensates for different abilities, providing as much support as the swimmer needs, yet giving confidence to even the most timid learner. For me the fact that it works in harmony with the body, helping to develop a better and more natural swimming position, was attractive to me as whilst the little one has achieved her 10 metre badge with Water Babies, she has a tendancy to "run" through the water rather than lying flat.

   So what did we think ......?

   

   The Swimfin feels sturdy without being heavy and the adjustable velcro straps give a feeling of security for the little one (and for me). I *may* have put it on my daughter backwards the first time round and whilst she looked like a backwards shark, it didn't actually detract from its bouyancy. There is no need for inflating or deflating after use (and it dries quickly too ..... although that may have been more to do with the sunshine!)

   

   The deep end of a new (freezing cold) pool can feel quite daunting, especially when the water temperature takes your breath away but the Swimfin gave our little swimmer that extra bit of confidence in getting into the pool. Our little swimmer doesn't like "fuss" so the fact that the Swinfin is so easy to get on and off when she is getting in and out of the water is a big plus.

   

   We saw lots of different bouyancy aids on our holiday but unlike other swimming aids, we love that the SwimFin is multi-stroke functional. It leaves the arms completely free to move and so can be used to learn front-crawl and back-stroke with ease. Our youngest daughter has never been a huge fan of swimming on her back but with the Swimfin she was happily swimming around on her back, comforted by the protection of the Swinfin.

   

   Essentially the SwimFin is just a very clever flotation device. There are no gimmicks (aside from being very cool looking) but it does its job and complies with international safety standards, which is a big plus for safety conscious parents.

   The Big Plus Points :

   • The Swinfin gives confidence for mum and child in the water
   • The Swimfin looks super cool
   • The Swinfim is not restrictive
   • The Swinfin is always a talking point at the pool so great for helping the children make new friends on holiday.Everyone was asking "where is the little shark"
   • There is no need to get out of breath blowing up inflatable water wings as the Swinfin is ready to go.
   • It helps to improve the childs swimming position

   Is there a downside to the Swimfin?

   • The only downside for me is that it took up a little extra room in my suitcase that I could have used for an extra pair of shoes!

   

   Tweet

3. Why should I take my baby swimming when they are small?

   Posted on 3:55pm Sunday 31st May 2015

   Just in case I've not written about it enough, our house loves swimming. For a long time my mum took our smallest to her Water Babies lessons, as they were on a day when I'm working. When the chance came to move to a Sunday morning lesson, I took it instantly - I love being in the water with her and seeing her learn. With summer coming and this being the busiest time of year for people wanting to learn more about baby swimming and baby swimming lessons, I asked Tamsin if she'd write for me about all the things people usually ask me when I'm telling them how much we love our Water Babies lessons...

    

   The first thing I'm asked is "Why should I take my baby swimming when they are small? Are there really any benefits to starting early on?"

    

   Over to Tamsin....

    

   To be honest, I don't know where to start - there are so many benefits of baby swimming lessons!

   Water safety is the main reason that most parents chose to take their baby swimming. By introducing your baby to the water at a young age, they become familiar with the environment and would not panic in the event that they fell in water. Swimming is also extremely beneficial for your baby’s cognitive and physical development. Physically, the water allows babies to exercise muscles that they can’t on land as it eliminates the constraints of gravity by providing a supportive environment. Also, the repetitive movements of bouncing and splashing provide a great stimulation for a baby’s sense of motion, co-ordination and balance.

   

   This in turn also helps cognitive development. During your baby’s first year of life, their brain will grow more rapidly than at any other time and every movement they make helps to boost this growth. Swimming provides a complete physical workout for your baby, strengthening the heart, lungs and respiratory system which, in turn, promotes brain development.Learning to respond to voice commands used in swimming lessons can also make babies sharper mentally and increases levels of understanding.

   And one of the best bits?  Regular swimming in warm water both relaxes your baby and stimulates their appetite, leading to improved sleeping and eating patterns!

   I'm so pleased to have opportunity to share with you here on the Little Lilypad, about how great swimming is for you and your baby. But for now, I just want to encourage you to get in the pool, book a baby swimming lesson with any of the Water Babies teachers across the UK and beyond, because it's something that I love and feel privileged to be able to share with families. Seeing the happiness on the face of our babies and their mums, dads, grandparents and carers makes all our hard work behind the scenes worthwhile.

   If you have any questions about anything baby swimming related, please call us on 01295 709221 or email us at [email protected] as we're always happy to talk about our favourite subject!

   Tweet

4. Can you take your baby swimming after having their injections?

   Posted on 9:19am Sunday 8th Mar 2015

   Is it safe to take a baby or toddler swimming after having their injections?

   This is a conversation starter that I have had numerous times at playgroups and with fellow mums and as a parent, I am not sure that there is a definitive answer. The Water Babies website tells us that NHS guidelines say you can take your baby swimming at any time, regardless of whether they’ve had their injections. The high quality of the water required in public pools makes the likelihood of transmitting infections very unlikely; plus, the diseases against which your baby is inoculated can’t be carried in chlorinated water anyway. 

   The toddler had her second round of MMR injections recently and I was unsure how she was going to react to them. 

   

   She was giving her instructions to me from the side, so I think it is fair to say she was fine.

   

   She has mastered getting in and out of the water safely and loves being able to jump in and swim to me now. She will swim independently around me too, her confidence growing week on week.

   

   Swimming every week has made a noticeable difference in her own confidence and ability. Typically with children, we don't make it every week because little ones get poorly, that's life. The Water Babies team understand if you have a bit of a cold but if either you have any significant illness, including ear infections, (the dreaded) chicken pox, or vomiting/diarrhoea, it is not fair on you, your child, the other families, your teacher, or indeed the pool. We have been there when the pool has had to be emptied as a result of a "poo" incident and it only leads to disappointment for lots of people.

   

   So going back to the debate of whether children should go swimming after having their injections, should you or should you not go swimming? The Water Babies team tell us that they have had lots of little ones who’ve been for their jabs in the morning, come swimming in the afternoon, and had no problems at all. In fact in some ways it may even help them a little, since the warm water can soothe grizzly nerves or stiff little arms or legs.

   Ultimately, you know your baby or toddler best, so if you think they are okay to swim then do as our little one does and just take the plunge!

   Tweet