Going Under Water
Does a baby naturally know how to hold his breath?
The swimming lesson dvd Learn to Swim with Miss Bea demonstrates strategies for teaching infants and children to hold their breath and open their eyes while learning how to swim. Be assured that you will not be hurting your baby. You will not be holding your baby under the water long enough for the baby to swallow water. Add your own games and toys to distract the child, praising and clapping for each accomplishment. Until a baby learns to swim, holding his breath may save him if he falls in the water.
For a baby up to 6 months old, blow like a gentle gust of wind onto the baby's face. If the baby takes in a gulp of air and makes a funny face, then you will blow on the baby's face before putting him under the water and watch him hold his breath. Follow these steps. After the baby is comfortable and playful in the water, hold the baby under the arms facing you, and make eye contact with your baby. Count to three to set the signal, blow quickly on the child's face, and watch the child make the funny face then smoothly and gently lower the baby's head completely under the water for one second.
To teach a toddler and young child to hold his breath, count to three (to set the signal) and pour water on his face. When the baby is used to closing his mouth while having water on the face, the baby will be ready to be submerged. First, count to three and pour water over the baby's face. Then lightly raise and gently lower the baby under the water for one second. After a few times you won't need to pour water over the baby's head. The count will be the signal. Every time you count to three, you will put the baby under the water or you will confuse the baby! Many parents pull the baby into the water or throw the baby up in the air while playing with the baby. That is great, but don't count to three unless you are going to submerge the baby. Be consistent with the signals.
For all infants and young children: When you raise the baby, wipe the baby's nose so that not even a tiny water bubble will go into his nose. Give the baby a hug to your chest so that the baby will blow out and not swallow air. You are teaching the baby to hold his breath. By blowing out the baby will not develop a hard tummy which sometimes becomes a big burp, and may even lead to throwing up. As the young child becomes used to going under water, you extend the time under the water to up to 5 seconds pulling the child toward you for a short glide as you step back.
Next you put your hand behind the child's head gliding the child to another person, to a toy or to the side.
As the child starts enjoying going under the water encourage the child to put his own face down and kick and dig while going to a toy or to the steps. Teach the child to stand up. Continue to hold the child since he may not have the skills to propel himself and swim alone. The child must trust you and master each step with confidence.
To teach an older child to hold his breath and go under water, explain each step. Always say close your mouth, the child may not understand "hold your breath." Have the child count to three and put a toy under the water telling the toy to close its mouth and wipe its face. Then, both of you put your faces under the water together. Have the child dunk you under the water. If the child won't open his eyes, let the child see you open your eyes under water as you swim to him. Try waving to each other under water. Make noises when you blow out or spit. Wipe each other's faces. Hold up a finger like a birthday candle for the child to blow out when he comes up from under the water. Pretend to crash the wall while the child has his face in the water and kicks. Hold up a finger like a birthday candle for the child to blow out when he comes up from under the water. Play with the child to open his eyes so he will realize that the water won't hurt his eyes. If after all this the child continues to swallow water or has sensitive eyes, try goggles or even a mask that covers the nose.
If the child refuses to open his eyes: It is very important for the child to open his eyes under the water. If a child doesn't open his eyes, it is because he is scared, probably of when the soap stung his eyes in the tub. Go under water and open your eyes so the child can see you swim to him with your eyes open. Have the child hold a toy and you get it under the water so he can see your eyes open. If the child still won't open his eyes, buy some swim goggles! Always have time in the water without goggles so the child won't become dependent on the goggles.
If you have the Learn to Swim with Miss Bea DVD, all of this will be shown with real children acting out their activities. You will see as you hear me talk and explain the progression and you will be able to teach your child to go under water too!
Now get in the water and do it!!
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