My Baby’s Growing Up Fast

Swimming babies

Just a few years ago, almost no one took a baby swimming. Today, most swimming pools have a program of classes and groups aimed at even the youngest customers and their parents. These classes are enormously popular. Just as more and more women are choosing to use water during childbirth, so more parents are choosing to introduce their babies to the joys of water and swimming at an ever-younger age.

Should I take my baby swimming?

Is it a good idea? Well, a lot of claims are made for the long-term benefits of early swimming. A German study found that babies who swim have more advanced motor development, social skills, and intelligence, while a Finnish study found that it helps babies to talk earlier. Swimming instructors often claim that babies who swim regularly tend to sleep more soundly, and that they are less likely than other babies to suffer from colds, sniffles, and even asthma.

The first few times you take your baby swimming, take some of her familiar bath toys along too – they might help her feel at home.

While beneficial effects are all well and good, the most important considerations when thinking about taking your baby swimming are: will she enjoy it and will you enjoy it?

Is it a good idea to start early?

Enthusiasts of baby swimming classes say that the earlier you start taking Your baby to the swimming pool, the better. This is because she’s less likely to develop a fear of water, and also she’ll get used to the techniques taught at the class from ear of early on.

Under the age of 6 months, babies don’t possess the mechanisms for regulating their own temperature; after 6 months they do begin to have it, but you still have to be very careful that they don’t get too cold in the water.

Toddler swimming classes

Parent and toddler classes are usually taught in small groups of five or six parent and baby couples (it is usually mothers, although most classes are more than happy if it’s the dad rather than the mom who goes along).

Often, there’s nursery rhyme singing and children’s music in the background. Lots of the exercises are aimed at getting your toddler used to the idea of being in the water. Some classes involve submerging the baby’s head under the water for a second or two – young babies have what’s called a diving instinct that will automatically kick in when this happens.

Of course, you don’t have to join a formal class to enjoy a trip to the local pool with your baby – although it is often more fun for both of you if you team up with another parent and baby. Try finding a pool with some sort of child care so that you can swim for a while on your own before or after going for a dip with your toddler.

Don’t be surprised if your child loses interest in swimming at around 1 year of age – it’s a common phenomenon. But do continue to take her to the pool from time to time anyway – it may take a year or so, but eventually she’ll start enjoying it again.

Try taking a brightly colored inflatable ball along to the pool with you, to give your baby something to look at and play with in the water. Let her lie on her back, with your hands supporting her, so that she can kick. And when she’s happy to go on her front, glide her through the water so that she gets used to the feel of “swimming” through the pool.

The toddler social circuit

Some toddlers have schedules that make you feel tired just looking at them! Monday it’s music group, Tuesday toddler gym, Wednesday playgroup, Thursday swimming, Friday massage class – not to mention weekends packed with social activities.

Getting the right balance

The truth is, it’s all too much – if it sounds too much for a 30-something mother like me, it’s got to be too much for a tiny tot who still needs daytime naps and is still learning how things work and where she fits into the world.

That, in fact, is the essence – your toddler still has a lot to learn, and almost any situation, properly used, has learning opportunities for her, whether it’s a specially designed activity or not.

Having said that, a baby of 6 or 9 months plus does gain from inclusion in sort of group from time to time. It doesn’t have to be a formal thing – you might just dip into a playgroup of a local church or temple when you can find the time, and that’s as good a start into the world of socializing as anything, and it’s usually inexpensive.

One or two group sessions or classes per week are ample for a child in this age group. Schedule lots of time for one-to-one fun at home or at the park, too.

Your baby’s social life with her caregiver

Babies who are looked after by a caregiver sometimes have the busiest social lives of all. It’s worth taking stock with your caregiver from time to time if you think your child is being taken to too many activities. It’s easy to see why it could happen – unlike you when you’re at home, your nanny or au pair doesn’t have to run the house, so the chance to go out and mix with other people has a big appeal.

Initially, you may be eager to have your caregiver signing your baby up for a lot of activities. But keep in mind that your child needs lots of one-to-one care as well. Try to discourage your nanny from having friends over or going to a group every day of the week – suggest that some days are just for “chilling out” at home.

Make time to be together

Whether you work in or outside of the home, you need time with your toddler, too. It doesn’t have to be time when you’re just sitting around doing nothing – but it should be a time when your life isn’t being ruled by the clock, and when you don’t have lots and lots of other demands pressing in on you all at once.

Playing at home

Some of the happiest times with my current toddler, Miranda, have been the days when we’ve both been lounging around at home while her older sisters were at school. The school day is amazingly short when you’re trying to get things done: you only get around 5 hours before it’s time for the children to come home. I found that it helped to downsize my expectations about what I could achieve in a day. I still usually managed to straighten up the bedrooms, Miranda in tow. And as we wandered around making beds and putting teddies back on their shelves, we had lots of time to sit around reading a book, or singing along with some nursery rhymes on her tape machine.

What shall we do?

Talking to your child, reading with her, and singing to her are the three basic essentials of spending time together. You don’t need lots of equipment or to be part of a group to be able to do this – you just need to have time, and one or two of your child’s favorite books on hand.

Picture books are excellent at this stage. I’ve always particularly enjoyed sharing the kind that have large color photographs of things children are familiar with – a cup, a swing, a television set, and so on. Babies enjoy looking at and recognizing the items pictured. Try repeating the names and talking a bit about the different things on the page – this will help with your baby’s early language development.

Small children love photographs of people they know. Buy a cheap photo album with plastic see-through slots for the pictures, and give your baby her own picture book to fill with photographs.

Outings and expeditions

Going on outings together is another way to have fun. Of course, trips with another parent and child are very rewarding, too. But do reserve some trips for just the two of you, as you’ll find you’re more likely to talk to your baby if you’re alone with her.

There are lots of things you can do out of the house with a baby or toddler. Don’t assume that you have to leave everything until your child is older. Art galleries, for example, can be great at this stage, but the trick is not to be too ambitious. Go to a gallery where you know children are welcomed, and concentrate on looking at just one or two areas. You can plan your trip so that your baby has a sleep while you’re there, giving you some free time to walk around with the stroller.

Make time apart, too

Fun a, your baby is you’ll find your relationship with her is actually strengthened if you manage to spend at least part of the time away from her.

Try to find another mother with a child the same age as yours, who’ll do a child care swap with you for a couple of hours each week.

A baby of 6 months plus is old enough to be left with another mother or caregiver for short periods – you don’t have to invest in formal child care. If you have a regular evening babysitter, it can be a good idea to get her to look after your child occasionally during the day, too. This will help to strengthen the bond between her and your baby and increase your confidence about leaving them when you go out at night.

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