You can use bath time as a way to get your baby used to the water. Keep bath time short, reassure your baby by smiling, talking to them and maintaining eye contact. Be sure that when you spend playtime in the tub that there is no soap or shampoo that will irritate little eyes. Always supervise your child in the tub. Tragedies can happen in the minute it takes to go answer the phone or retrieve a towel you forgot downstairs.
From an early age babies will instinctively move arms and legs when immersed in water and you can use this to make them familiar with feeling supported and feel water on their face
When you go swimming with your baby try to:
- Submerge your baby to shoulder level and make sure they aren’t getting cold. Babies out of the water will soon become cold.
- Watch your baby’s face so it does not fall below the water and so you can monitor their reactions.
- Keep moving – your baby becomes aware that by moving their arms and legs they will stay afloat.
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