Many parents who swim with their babies have experienced crying at some point. What is important to consider to make the bathing process enjoyable for you and your baby?
Why is my baby crying in the pool? Should you continue exercising while crying? Maybe my child does not like water, and it is not worth torturing him? These and many other questions often arise among parents during infant swimming. What is important to pay attention to so that the bathing process brings pleasure to you and your baby.
- Rule # 1. Calm mom / dad. This is perhaps the most important factor, in most cases it is the fear and uncertainty of the parents that cause the child to cry. In the classroom in the pool, you can often see the following scene: the child cries in the arms of his mother, but instantly calms down with the coach. This usually happens during the first trainings. The exercises seem too aggressive to mom, and she does not dare to repeat them at full strength. In this case, you need to either overcome your fear, or for the first time entrust the classes to your dad. After all, the dad's hands are probably stronger, and the nerves are stronger, and the attitude to the process is easier. Remember, in calm and confident hands, the baby feels safe.
- Rule # 2. Patience and patience again. No need to try to show Olympic records in a month. Your task is to keep your baby's love for water. Preserve it, because he cannot help but love water. The child for 9 months lived in an aquatic environment, it is pleasant and comfortable for him. Maintain consistency in everything, observe. There are approximate dates for the start of certain exercises, but the final choice is yours. Go to the next stage only if you see that the baby is comfortable in the previous one.
- Rule # 3. Start as early as possible. Now many pools offer to start classes with 2-3 month old babies. However, you need to start home workouts as early as possible. As soon as the umbilical wound heals, start exercising in a large bath, because in it you can master the basic exercises and diving techniques. The ability to reflex breath holding lasts up to 2-3 months, so it is important to consolidate this innate skill in time and transfer it to the category of acquired ones. In addition, at home, it is necessary to gradually adapt the baby to the pool temperature (31-32 degrees).
- Rule # 4. Exercise as often as possible. A couple of weeks off can cost you all the effort you had previously spent. Therefore, do not be lazy and study with your child every day. For example, you can bathe your baby twice. In the morning - in a small bath with hot water for the purpose of bathing. In the evening, fill a large bath with cool water and hone your swimming skills. Do not neglect home workouts even when starting out in the pool. It is difficult to overdo it in this matter, but at the same time, one should not forget about Rule 2.
- Rule # 5. Prepare your baby for the lesson. In addition to fear, crying of a child in water can cause the same reasons as on land. The child is hungry. Wants to sleep. Teeth are climbing. Strive to organize the child's regimen in such a way that during classes he is not disturbed by his natural needs. For example, feed your baby a couple of hours before training. Let him sleep in a stroller or car on the way to the pool. Replace your pool workout with a more relaxed activity at home if your baby is worried.
- Rule # 6. Watch your child. All children are different, everyone likes different exercises. Someone likes to swim on their belly, someone on their backs. Observe what your little one likes and repeat these exercises when he is tired. Sometimes a minute of rest is enough for the baby to calm down and continue the lesson to the end.
- Rule # 7. Learn to distinguish between crying manipulation. All children are excellent psychologists and often skillfully manipulate their parents. Learn to distinguish crying pain (fatigue, fear) from crying manipulation. It is useful not only in water but also in daily life. Otherwise, mom runs the risk of turning into a packhorse without a minute of free time. In the case of manipulation, it is best to pretend that you do not notice anything. A few minutes of exposure is usually enough for the baby to accept the situation and switch to something else. Conversely, one manifestation of weakness can cost you dearly.
