How to teach a baby to dive in the bathtub. How to teach a baby to swim in the bathtub? Infant swimming in the bathtub. Infant swimming rules

Every mother wants her baby to be healthy and harmoniously developed, she carefullyLooking for age-appropriate activities for the little one. From about the tenth day of life you canindependently teach your baby to swim and dive in the bathtub. Swimming lessons -an important stage in the life of many modern families. Literally from birth, children canreflexively hold your breath. This is due to the fact that 9 months in the wombThe mother's baby is in an aquatic environment - amniotic fluid. After three monthsIn life, the child forgets this skill, and learning to swim becomes more difficult. ThisAny pediatrician can confirm.

Swimming training: why is it needed?

Learning to swim and dive has a positive effect on the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems of the baby’s body. Regular exercise promotes good posture and develops the muscle corset without causing damage to the joints or putting unnecessary strain on the spine. When diving, water enters the maxillary sinuses, which is an effective prevention of a runny nose. So, learning to swim helps increase immunity, improve sleep and appetite. In addition, thanks to water massage, skin elasticity increases and muscle tone is normalized. These are just some of the benefits of infant swimming.

Before you decide to teach your baby to swim in the bathtub, you should consult your doctor. There are diseases for which exercise in water is prohibited.

Swimming training (namely, getting to know the water) should begin in an adult bath, so that nothing restricts the baby’s movements. Ask your dad or grandma to help you. You can swim no earlier than an hour after eating, when your little one is full and calm.

So, watch “How to teach a baby to swim in the bathtub” (video):

How to teach a baby to swim in the bathtub - tips from experienced mother Evgenia

When we talk about learning to swim and dive, there are several key points to highlight:

• First you need to prepare warm water (about 37 degrees). Over time, it can be gradually reduced by 1 degree and increased to 25.
• The baby should be dipped very carefully. The child must be lowered into the water in an upright position and very smoothly.
• Every movement of the mother must be confident and calm. It is important to control your emotions; if the mother feels fear, the baby will also begin to worry and may become capricious. Then the procedure will have to be stopped.
• When the baby starts to become active and relax, turn him over onto his tummy. You can hold the baby by the body with both hands, or hold the chin with one hand and the back of the head with the other; he can lie on your hand with his chest. Choose the most comfortable position for both of you.
• After the little one gets used to it and tries to make swimming movements with its arms and legs, you can move on to holding your breath and diving. Let your assistant (dad or grandmother) say: “Dive.” And immediately he gently blows on the baby’s face, at which point the baby will reflexively hold his breath. Next, you need to pour a little water on his head, for example, from a plastic cup. From my own experience, I know that at first even just bathing such a tiny creature is very scary, so you should move on to diving only when you yourself are mentally prepared for it. Replace the glass by immersing the baby in water for 2-3 seconds. Gradually increase the time spent underwater.
• Don't forget to give your baby rest. Learning to swim is a pleasure, not a survival marathon. Let the baby relax and float on his back. Place one hand under your baby's head and hold his chin with the other.
• If a child clearly expresses his dissatisfaction, cries and tries to roll over, of course, you should stop learning to swim.

Try to start diving as soon as possible, while the baby still remembers this skill. Very often, mothers, worried about their child, deprive him of the opportunity to move forward in his development. Don't worry if your child accidentally drinks too much water. Learning to swim involves such a moment. This happens quite often. Therefore, calm down, without panic. Water will not harm your baby.

And one more thing: when you decide to teach your baby to swim in the bathtub, remember that in this case it is very important not to forget to praise the baby for every success, even the smallest! Your support will give him an additional incentive.

So you know how to teach your baby to swim in the bathtub. Go for it! As the experience of brave mothers shows, learning to swim always gives great results.

When your baby turns 2 months old, start visiting the infant pool, where, under the guidance of an experienced trainer, you will achieve excellent results!

Do you want to see your child happy? Give him the most wonderful moments!See how the babies learned to swim in the pool:

What do you think about teaching children to swim? Share your opinions and experiences.

Swimming for babies in the bathtub begins literally from the first weeks of life. Until 3-5 weeks of a child’s life, it is necessary to bathe him in boiled water (until the umbilical wound heals). It is very important that the first baths take place in a good mood for the baby and, first of all, in a good mood for the parents. If parents plan to take up swimming in the future, first of all, they must get rid of their own feelings of fear. Of course, a newborn baby looks tiny and fragile, but he is quite viable, and the less fear and uncertainty you have, the more successful your communication with your baby in the water will be.

Swimming for babies in the bath begins literally from the first weeks of life. Until 3-5 weeks of a child’s life, it is necessary to bathe him in boiled water (until the umbilical wound heals). It is very important that the first baths take place in a good mood for the baby and, first of all, in a good mood for the parents. If parents plan to take up swimming in the future, first of all, they must get rid of their own feelings of fear. Of course, a newborn baby looks tiny and fragile, but he is quite viable, and the less fear and uncertainty you have, the more successful your communication with your baby in the water will be. So, if the umbilical wound has healed, you can move on to swimming in a large bath and begin learning to swim.

Why teach an infant to swim?

When teaching a child to swim, we simultaneously solve several problems:

We increase the body’s resistance to temperature changes and strengthen its immunity;
by influencing the child’s skin and small blood vessels, we facilitate the saturation of tissues with oxygen and improve blood circulation in the child’s brain, promoting its faster development;
we train the child to breathe correctly, develop his bronchopulmonary system, teach him to hold his breath;
We treat the child’s skin with a gentle massage: water is the best massage therapist for a small child, very gentle and effective.

Preparing the bath for bathing an infant
The room where the classes are held should not be hot, room temperature is quite enough (so that when leaving the bathroom there is no strong temperature drop).
It is necessary to thoroughly wash the bathtub with baby soap and, preferably, clean it with baking soda. After this, rinse well with hot water.
Necessary conditions for bathing a newborn baby

Calmness and confidence in the movements of parents;
pleasure from swimming: classes should be carried out only if it brings joy to both you and the child;
regularity: you need to swim with your child every day, without “holidays and weekends.” Preferably at the same time, 30-40 minutes after feeding;
no contraindications: you need to make sure that there are no contraindications for swimming. To do this, you need to consult with a lactation consultant and a neurologist.
Massage before Be sure to prepare your baby before starting the lesson. To do this, a light massage (stroking and light kneading), gymnastics (moving the arms and legs up and down, flexion and extension) is done. The duration of the preparatory stage is 20-30 minutes.

Dive
The child should be immersed in water slowly, gradually and always in an upright position. Avoid sudden movements that may frighten the baby. Calmly and poisedly explain to the child that now he will be in the water, will learn to swim, praise the baby.
If he cries, do not force him into water! Try to calm the baby down and distract him with something. Bathing together with a baby has a particularly beneficial effect.
Water temperature for bathing babies
During the first 6-10 sessions, the water temperature should correspond to the baby’s body temperature, i.e. 36.6-37.2 degrees. Subsequently, the water temperature gradually decreases (by about half a degree per week), and the time for swimming with the child increases. There are many different methods for lowering the temperature of the water, but it must be borne in mind that each child is unique, and therefore the reaction to the same temperature of water in the bath can be completely different. To determine the comfort temperature for your child, you need to take a close look at him in the first minutes of bathing:
if a child cries when immersed in water and does not calm down after 3-4 minutes of being in the water, then most likely the water is too cold;
if a child, after crying a little, begins to actively move his arms and legs and stops crying, then the water is at the optimal temperature for swimming and hardening;
If the child is passive and relaxed in the water, does not want to move, then most likely the water is too warm.

Swimming newborns

Where can you learn to swim with a baby?
Swimming consultations at least once a month for each child are carried out by medical workers of the children's clinic in the water treatment room or in the home bathroom. The child's parents must receive at least 12 consultations during the year.

What should you know about swimming technique?
The swimming technique is divided into 4 levels, corresponding to the age characteristics of the development of infants - up to 3 months, from 3 to 6 months, from 6 to 9 months and from 9 months to a year. As the child grows, the exercises become more complex and the types of support change. The possibility of moving to new complexes is determined individually as the child masters his first lessons.

Where are classes held at home and how much water should you pour into the bath?
At home, classes are held in a large “adult” bathtub, cleanly washed and a little more than 2/3 filled. The water temperature at the beginning of classes is usually 37-38 degrees, followed by a decrease. The best result will be a water temperature of 36-34 degrees. As the duration of exercise increases, the water will cool, and you will thus accustom your baby to cooler water and train his defense mechanisms.

What are the main types of movements in water?
The main types of movements in water are: swimming on the back and chest with manual supports; swimming with autonomous supports; independent swimming. The nature of swimming in all cases is interval - the swim is followed by a short rest. Swimming begins on the back and alternates with swimming on the front.

What if the baby cries in the water?
It should be taken into account that at the beginning of classes, most children behave warily and even cry - in this case, the child needs a longer preparatory period before carrying out standard wiring - parents fix the head and pelvic end of the child and “swim” with him from one side of the bathtub to the other - This is how the child gets used to movement and a large volume of water. You can also offer your child a pacifier or distract him with a toy.

Can a child dive?
It’s possible, but you have to be careful when teaching your child this. You can immerse a child’s head in water only after the child has practiced the conditioned reflex of holding his breath and “shutting his eyes” to the word “dive” (this is only possible by 6 months). Exercise helps improve cerebral blood flow and strengthen the respiratory muscles. It is strictly forbidden to forcefully immerse a child headlong, throw a baby into the water, or press him to the bottom with your hand: the child may become very frightened and suffocate. When conducting therapeutic swimming sessions for weakened children with central nervous system diseases, diving is excluded; you can only try to immerse the child’s mouth in water.

How to combine swimming, gymnastics and massage?
Better assimilation of movements in water is facilitated by special swimming gymnastics on land for the arms and legs in the “on the back” and “on the chest” positions, simulating crawl and breaststroke, and a light massage. Massage and gymnastics classes should begin 2-3 weeks later than the start of swimming lessons, thereby observing the principle of dosing the load. In some cases, for weakened children, massage, gymnastics and swimming should be performed at different times.

Is it possible to take toys into the water?
Mandatory conditions for conducting classes in the pool of clinics are the colorful design of the place where the procedures are carried out - beautiful toys (3-4 inflatable and the same number of sinking ones), bright drawings on the walls, musical accompaniment of classes. Small rattles are needed at home; the number of toys depends on the size of the bathroom. Games and decoy toys in a wide variety of forms help create the necessary background of positive emotions and stimulate the mental development of children. How long does a swimming lesson last? Typically, the first lessons last 10 minutes and increase by 5 minutes per week. At the first signs of fatigue (overexcitement or drowsiness), classes are stopped.

What if the child gets sick?
Resuming activities interrupted due to illness or other reasons should be done as if they were being started for the first time, with strict adherence to the rules of gradualness, only after consultation with a doctor. In all cases, it must be remembered that acquired swimming skills without training are lost within 2-3 weeks.

How to teach a baby to swim

Doctors say: everyone needs to swim from the day they are born.

We are all natural swimmers. After all, before birth, a baby swims in intrauterine fluid for 9 months and, when born, retains these skills. But since he is usually not given the opportunity to demonstrate and develop them, the baby very quickly forgets his experience so that, at best, he learns to swim again at the age of five or six. But some kids are luckier. From the first days of life, they have at their disposal a huge bathtub in which they can practice swimming. Infant swimming specialist Victoria Aleksandrovna Rybachuk told us why a baby needs this and how to work with him. “All children, without exception, need swimming,” says Victoria. - If we trigger reflexes, we force the brain to work. Therefore, such activities are good not only for physical, but also for intellectual development. Cold or contrast procedures are important for training the nervous and immune systems. If this is not done “while shouting,” children sleep well, behave well, their colic decreases, and muscle tone is restored.” You can go swimming from the first days of life. There are no contraindications for it. But, in order to clarify what a baby can and cannot do in water, you need to consult a neurologist. For example, dousing and swimming in cold water are not suitable for children for whom the slightest stress is contraindicated. Whatever classes you choose, carry out the first procedures only with an instructor!
PREPARATION. Start classes when the child is full, but not earlier than half an hour after eating. Before you start, your baby needs to be warmed up. To do this, do massage and exercises with an emphasis on reflex exercises. You can slightly lift the child by placing your index fingers in his palms (safe with your thumbs), spread the legs, and pull the knees to the elbows one by one. You can roll the baby along the bed, holding it by the legs. But at the same time, you need to make sure that it lies flat, does not turn over sharply, and its head does not warp. After warming up, you can begin water procedures. They can be of two types: diving in cold water (in which the baby swims underwater) and swimming in warm water. Why is diving into cold water better than “warm”? “Cold water has its advantages,” says Victoria Alexandrovna. - Warm water has a bad effect on the mucous membranes, while cold water, on the contrary, strengthens them. After cold water, the baby begins to see better, as if he is “sharpening.”

UNDER THE WATER. This is not only swimming, but also hardening. Therefore, the bath is filled with cold water (from 15 to 17 * C). Then, holding the baby under the arms, they lower it into the water. As soon as his legs touch the water, he is placed horizontally, face down, and after one or two seconds he dives under the water and swims. According to one method, the baby is carried under water, according to another, he is released, immersed in water, and he swims on his own. Before he starts, he needs to talk through everything that will happen. Despite the fact that the baby was recently born, he understands you perfectly. Before diving, you need to inform that “we are going to dive now.” But not in a commanding tone or a sympathetic tone, but calmly, in a friendly way. If everything is done correctly and the baby is calm, there is no danger that the child will choke: as soon as his legs touch cold water, he reflexively holds his breath. Many people splash water on their baby’s face before diving. This makes sense when diving occurs in warm water, while swimming and playing, when the baby is relaxed and passionate about the process. If in such a situation he is immersed in water without warning, he will hold his breath a few seconds later, have time to take a sip of water and get scared. The baby spends about 5 seconds underwater. Then it is taken out, wiped and wrapped well. You need to give him time to come to his senses, restore his breathing, and then, if he has managed to get hungry, put him to the chest.

AND ON THE WATER. The suitable temperature for such activities is from 34 to 37*C: at a higher temperature, the baby overheats, and this has a bad effect on blood vessels. The first few lessons should also be led by an instructor. And then parents can do it themselves. One hand is usually held on the child's chin, with the index finger next to the mouth. The second hand lies on the back of the head. The child can be led through the water on his back, then quietly turned over onto his tummy and swam in figure eights. Lying on his back, he can push off with his legs from the walls of the bath. In the first months, bathing should not take more than 15 minutes. Gradually, this time can be extended and the water temperature can be lowered. The best option is to bathe together with mom or dad. At the end of the lesson, it is good to introduce a hardening element. This could be a douche or a cold spot. They do it like this. The tap opens and cold water flows down the wall of the bathtub. A layer of cool water is formed in this area, and the child is passed through it with a figure of eight several times. Swimming and diving should be alternated, for example, diving during the day and swimming in the evening, otherwise the baby will get tired. If you decide to swim with your newborn, first of all, banish fear. It is better for the “shy” parent (as well as unnecessary spectators) not to be present in the bathroom. If the child screams or is afraid of the procedure, take a break (for very young children for a week, for older ones – more). Mom and dad don't talk to each other. Full concentration on the child is important here. You can and should talk to your baby. In a cheerful, joyful tone, not too loud and without sympathy.

TO WATER IN YOUR MOTHER'S HANDS. If there are no contraindications from the neurologist, swimming in warm water can be completed by dousing with cold water from the tap. Or replace diving with this procedure. In this case, it is better to hold the baby close to you: this way you will reduce stress as much as possible. Pour, starting from the face, so that the child holds his breath. Then pour on the head and shoulders, again on the head, then again on the shoulders. Water volume - from 2 to 5 liters. After this, dry the baby thoroughly and wrap it up. If the child is very small, the diapers need to be pre-warmed.

Svetlana, mother of four-month-old Katya: “I have been swimming with my daughter from the first days of her life. Back in the maternity hospital, we started pouring cold water on her under the tap. And after discharge we started swimming at home. The first classes were conducted by an instructor. The girl responded very well: she dived calmly, and after the procedure she was very balanced. And recently we were on holiday in Egypt with Katya. In no way do I encourage flying to exotic countries with a baby; the success of this event depends on many factors. But everything went great for us, and I’m sure, first of all, because my daughter is prepared and strong. Katya tolerated acclimatization well and swam in the sea with pleasure. We took her in our arms, plunged into the water, then let go, and she swam under the water. Of course, with insurance. That was the first time she dived with us, without an instructor. We saw that she liked it. Katya is growing up as a calm child; in the four months of her life, we have never had to see a doctor.”

When and how to start classes with your baby?

You can start swimming lessons when the umbilical wound heals, usually in 2-3 weeks. At first, parents take care of the child in a regular home bath. When the bath becomes too small for the baby and he acquires basic skills, you can move to the pool. As a rule, this occurs at 2 months.

Nine months before birth, the baby floated in amniotic fluid. And if you don’t frighten him in any way, he will happily accept the water in the bath.

You need to work with your child when he is in a good mood, he is full, does not want to sleep, and nothing bothers him. You must be cheerful and friendly. It is advisable to turn swimming lessons into an exciting game that will bring pleasure to both you and your child. You need to be patient and take your time. Gradually increase the load, gradually add new exercises. Remember that your main goal is not achieving results, but the pleasure and health of your baby. Children's swimming is not difficult, and all parents can learn it. You must be calm and your arms must support the baby confidently and securely. The child feels your mood. It is important not to cause fear, overwork and distrust of water in him. Once a mistake is made, it can discourage a child from learning to swim for a long time.

An infant does not know what fear is; he is not afraid of water. While in the womb, he was constantly surrounded by amniotic fluid, and if the child develops fear in the bath, then the culprit should be looked for quickly among the parents.

How can parents gain confidence? If you want to teach your child to swim, then it is also advisable to practice in the water during pregnancy. Parents who love water and know how to swim have more confidence in the advisability of activities with their baby. Read the manual carefully. Imagine how you will perform lifts in the water. Find the right time and you can start. Swimming lessons are held in a large bathtub. Because it will be just as uncomfortable for a child to swim in a small bathtub as it is for you in a regular one. What should the temperature of the bath water be? According to Z.P. Firsov’s method, the temperature in the first lessons can be 37 degrees, in the fifth lesson -36.5, in the ninth - 36, in the fourteenth - 35.5, in the twentieth - 35, in the twenty-fourth - 34 degrees. Next, the water temperature drops to the temperature of a regular pool - 28 degrees. We usually start with a lower temperature. You must select the temperature individually for the child. He should be warm and comfortable in the water, but at the same time, the water should not be too warm to encourage the child to make active swimming movements.

As a rule, the water temperature for a child just born and weighing up to 4 kg should be about 35.5 – 36 degrees, but for a plump child with folds it should be 34-35. IN In any case, you select the temperature for your child based on how he behaves in the bath.

During the first lessons, you and your baby will feel more confident if you dive into the bath together. This is not necessary in subsequent classes. You will stand in front of the bathtub and bathe your baby. Plain clean water is drawn into the bath. You need to work with your child every day. The first classes last 5-10 minutes, then 20 minutes. From the moment you enter the pool, you can exercise for 40 minutes.

Methodology of Z.P. Firsov designed for classes for 9-12 months. The ultimate goal is to teach a child, firstly, to float independently on the surface of the water for up to one year of age. 20-30 minutes, secondly, dive to a shallow depth, get the toy from the bottom and swim under water for 7-8 seconds. Thirdly, while wearing light clothes - a summer suit, shoes, socks, a hat - jump from the side of the pool in clothes into the water and in these clothes stay on the surface of the water for 2-3 minutes. The latter seems especially relevant to me in light of the statistics of tragic incidents that have occurred over the past year with children. It turns out that a large number of children die from drowning every year, and the strangest thing is that in 78% of cases children die in ordinary puddles, that is, they fall and die terribly from the inability to hold their breath in this way. from infancy, you will forever protect yourself from this tragedy.

At first we studied Firsov’s methodology, then the work experience of his foreign colleagues, and over time our own experience came. The technique that you are about to read is based on our experience in teaching newborns to swim. It is somewhat different from the basic methods and is one of the modifications of soft swimming methods and seems to us the most optimal.

Immerse the child you need to slowly, gradually, after checking the temperature of the water so that it does not seem too cold or too hot to the child.

The dive begins with the legs in a vertical position.

At the same time, you can calmly explain to the child that he will be in the water, that now he will swim. Then, when he gets used to being in the water. You calmly move it to a horizontal position and at the same time support it from below. At first, the supports should be stronger so that the child feels secure. Later, the supports fall under a smaller area of ​​the body. If you are in the bath with the child (as a rule, the father is there at first, because it is not recommended for the mother to take a bath while there is lochia), the child can be held on bent knees, you can place your hands completely under his back, and cover him with your palms head and rock the baby in this position. You can place it on your stomach and chest so that the baby's head is above the water.

When you start classes while in front of the bath, the most convenient support is this: your left hand is under the back of the child’s head, and with your right hand you clasp the hips either from the outside, or between the legs, or from your side, as you wish.

Try to keep your child in the most horizontal position relative to the water while swimming on his back, which will help him quickly learn to swim independently. Don't worry about water getting into your ears. The baby was constantly in the amniotic fluid inside the womb, and it got into the ears. If you start classes before 3 months, you don’t have to worry about the harmful effects of water on your baby’s ears. During the entire period of training, we did not have a single case of ear inflammation in children.

First, you do small movements on your back along the bathtub back and forth, and then, preferably, master the figure eight, movement along the maximum length of the bathtub. You support the child as in the previous exercise, and cross your arms during turns. You can change the speed. In general, there are children who like slow, calm movement, and there are children who like it when an adult sets a fairly high speed. Such back maneuvers are the main exercise that prepares a child for independent swimming on his back.

The next exercise is pushing away from the wall of the bathtub. It is performed as follows. You hold the child by the back of the head, bring the child's legs to the side wall of the bathtub, place two legs with their feet directly on the wall of the bathtub and slightly move the child towards the side. He pushes off with his feet. And how hard he pushes, the more you pull him back. So that the child feels a direct relationship: how hard he pushes, how far he swims. Some children easily and immediately perform this exercise, others are not very willing. But, as a rule, over time the child likes this exercise and is happy, sailing far back.

The next wiring is done in a position on the stomach. The child lies on his stomach with his head above the water. With your left hand you clasp the back of the head, with four fingers of your right hand you support the chin, and with your thumb you cover the child’s mouth. Firstly, this technique protects against water getting into the mouth, and secondly, the baby will swim more calmly while sucking your finger. In this position, you swipe back and forth at low speed, and then move on to a figure-of-eight motion, the same as when swimming on your back.

There are children who willingly swim on their backs and on their stomachs, and there are children who prefer swimming on their backs or on their stomachs. It is better to start classes with the pose that is more pleasant for the child. Then, with games and jokes, gradually move to the position that you like less. If you don’t like some exercise, it is better to switch to another exercise, but do not take the child out of the water and do not hold him close to you, because this can lead to a general reluctance to do anything in the water later. Therefore, if you don’t like swimming on your stomach, then we swim on your back; if you don’t like swimming on your back. then feed on your stomach. If you are tired of both, you can take a position to rest.

Relaxing pose, vertical. You support the child under the chest so that both his arms are thrown over your right hand. In this case, you can either support the head and back, or pour water on them. The child, as a rule, calms down in this position. There are children for whom the position is more acceptable resting not horizontally, but reclining on its side.After a few lessons, you will understand the child’s characteristics, adapt to them, and it will become much easier for both of you.

Do not try to take the child by force. The main thing in the first two months, while you are swimming in the bath, is for the child to get used to the water and feel trust in it. At first, his posture will be more tense, and as it goes on, the more relaxed. In addition to these basic movements, you can rock the child so that he feels the water better. As long as the child is calm, enjoys the activity and actively participates in swimming, continue the activity. When you see signs of fatigue - the child begins to whine, be capricious, arch, or his nasolabial triangle turns blue - the lesson should be gradually completed. After your child learns how to correctly perform maneuvers on the back and stomach, swimming lessons will lengthen, will bring him pleasure and you will see that he trusts the water, you can start diving.

Diving is a necessary component of teaching a child to swim independently and is the main thing that will protect you in the future from the danger of the child drowning.

You will have peace of mind on the beach that your child can play in the water and nothing bad will happen to him. How to start teaching your child to dive? This should be done gradually. At first, when the child floats on his back or on his stomach. You give a loud, clear command: “Attention, we’re diving” or “One, two, three, we’re diving!” And at the same time you blow intensely into the child’s face. He will wince, close his eyes and hold his breath. This needs to be repeated for several days. Once you have mastered this exercise, you can move on to the next one.

To the command: “Attention, we are diving,” you spray the child in the face. It is advisable so that water does not enter the nose from bottom to top. You will notice that the child is also holding his breath. Then you can perform the following exercise in a supine position. At “Attention, let’s dive,” you lower the child a little deeper into the water so that only the nose and mouth remain on the surface, and the cheeks, forehead and eyes submerge under the water. And finally, if you have mastered all these exercises, you can move on to real diving.

It is better to perform the first dive when the child is in a very good mood, relaxed, and has already swam for some time. It is better to perform it from a position on your stomach. You give the command and submerge the child shallowly under water for a second and bring him to the surface.

At the same time, under water you do not let go of it. When the child appears above the water, for the first second he will have a misunderstanding and an expectant reaction: “What was that?” You should praise, say that everything turned out very, very well for the child, that he dived wonderfully. Then he won’t cry and will want to dive in next time and please you again. At first, diving should be performed 2-3 times per lesson. After you have mastered short dives for a certain period of time, you can move on to longer ones.

Near one edge of the bathtub you dive in, guide the child along the entire length of the bathtub and emerge at the other edge. Over time, dives can be lengthened to 5-6 seconds under water and the child can be released under water for a short time, then picked up and brought to the surface of the water. In principle, it is not recommended to do more than 5 dives in the initial stages, but you can adjust them according to the child’s reactions. The main tasks you face in teaching your child to swim in a bathtub are friendship and trust in the water and the ability to dive without swallowing a large amount of water. By this time, your baby will be 2-3 months old, and you can move to a large pool.

There are a number of advantages in the pool: firstly, the water level is higher and the water holds the child better, secondly, mothers with children will also be there, and the children amazingly adopt what other children have already learned and also begin to swim better next to them , thirdly, it will be more convenient for you to support your child when you are in the pool with him, rather than leaning over the bathtub.

In any case, we recommend using auxiliary devices from 2-3 months of age. This is the Little Mermaid set. The main component is the “little mermaid crown”. It is put on the child from about 2 months of age so that he can independently lie on the surface of the water.

From birth, the child has a step reflex. Sometimes this reflex is not very clearly expressed. It is quite difficult for a child to walk on land. But if you put a rubber mat on the bottom of the bathtub, take in water not as much as for swimming, but so that it reaches the child’s chest or a little higher, take him under the armpits and slightly tilt his torso forward, he will walk very briskly along the bottom baths.

Children learn to walk in a bath much better than on land.

You just belay, watch and there is no need to be in an inclined position all the time supporting the child. Over time, he will learn to lie on the water on his own, without any help and without the “little mermaid”. At first you support the child quite strongly, then you support the child much weaker, only with your fingertips, then the child is supported by the “little mermaid”, from which you gradually remove the cubes one at a time. Then, during the wiring, you let go of your hands for a short time and again

When you move to the pool, the basic exercises and maneuvers will remain the same, but the depth of the water and the spaciousness of the pool will help you diversify these exercises in every possible way.

You can diversify your dives. Your child can dive with you. You can hold it behind your back and dive together. You can keep it in front of you, and then he will emerge first, and you after him. You can swim on your back, with the baby lying on your stomach and chest. The kids really like it. Two adults can stand against each other, and a child who is already well

learned to dive and push from one adult to another. He will swim a meter and a half, and then another adult will take him, wait until his breathing returns to normal, and in the same way direct him to the first one. To swim on your stomach, you can use a “little mermaid necklace”; it will support your head, and you won’t need to do it with your hand. There is another way to make a calmer transition from supports to independent swimming - these are “little mermaid pendants”. With them you support the child lightly to help him balance correctly on the surface of the water.

You can use a circle with a small diameter and teach your child to work with his arms and legs at the same time. An older child can be seated on the side of the pool. While you are in the pool, you call your child to you, and he will dive towards you. As a rule, children really like this exercise. To diversify the activities, you can use a variety of inflatable and floating toys, as well as toys that you can dive to the bottom for. At first, you can dive for one toy, then you can throw several rings or objects that the child can simultaneously grab and dive to the surface. The child also really likes these exercises.

Any method of swimming is based on the ability to exhale air into the water after a deep breath. We need to teach this to a child. You can do this exercise. The child lies on the chest in a horizontal position supported by pendants or a belt. You lean towards his face and say tenderly:

“Look what mom or dad is doing. We blow on some water like this.” At the same time, you take a full breath of air and slowly exhale it to the very surface of the water. The child sees circles forming on the water. He likes it and tries to reproduce this action. You can blow on a light boat or any toy so that it moves through the water, and encourage the child to do this. After a few lessons, demonstrate to your child how to exhale into the water, immersing his mouth and nose in it. The bubbles that form on the surface of the water will attract the baby's attention, and he will want to do the same.

In a home bath, you can bathe your child naked, but in the pool it is better to wear panties or swimming trunks, because sometimes he may poop while swimming or diving. And in order not to dirty the water in the pool, it is advisable for the child to wear something. In swimming lessons, systematicity and regularity are very important.

As a rule, good results are achieved by those parents who calmly but constantly work with their children. At first, in the bath every day or at least 5 times a week, then when you move to the pool - 2-3 times a week. With this regime, the child does not lose acquired skills. Swimming gives him great pleasure.

With swimming lessons, your baby will learn a lot. He will learn to sit on his back, swim on his tummy, and most importantly, he will learn to dive, and this reflex will be fixed in him forever. But the most important thing is that you can give your child unique joy.

More and more parents are trying to learn the basics of swimming for newborns. This is understandable: teaching infants to swim is useful for the prevention of many diseases and is suitable as a gentle hardening method. Parents learn this method with the help of an instructor in the pool or conduct classes for the baby themselves at home.

The ability to swim is inherent in a child before birth: he spends the entire pregnancy in amniotic fluid. A newborn retains the ability to involuntarily hold his breath until three months of age, then it gradually fades away. Therefore, supporters of infant swimming advise starting as early as possible.

The benefits of early swimming

Water exercises are the most gentle sport, and also the most accessible for newborns. Here are some reasons why you should teach swimming from the cradle:

• Hypertonicity decreases, characteristic of almost all newborns.
• Coming improving the functionality of the muscular and ligamentous apparatus, in a non-traumatic environment, unlike other sports, correct posture is formed.
• This is great prevention of spinal curvature and flat feet.
• Exercise in water helps muscle toning, and evening swimming is for general relaxation.
• Developing coordination of movements of the whole body that for a small child the issue is paramount, negative phenomena in the field of neurology are smoothed out.
• Mastering the skill of proper deep breathing, holding inhalation stimulates increase in red blood cells. A therapeutic effect occurs: natural stimulation of blood supply. As a result, the cardiovascular system is strengthened.
• During water procedures occurs cleansing the nasopharynx from mucus, dust, bacteria, other types of allergens.
• Infant swimming increases immune system functionality, heals the entire body.
• Swimming for a baby is a return to the conditions of being in the mother’s body, a gentle adaptation. Water calms and relieves excess stress.
• Water massage provides beneficial effect on the digestive system baby.
• Swimming skill relieves fear of the aquatic environment, which persists throughout life.

Look how cool it is little Sophia (4.5 months) swims in the children's pool with a trainer.

Possible contraindications

Before you start infant swimming at home, you should consult your pediatrician. There are few contraindications to classes, but they still exist, these are:

• disturbances in the functioning of the heart and vascular system;
• viral infections;
• diseases that impair the integrity of the skin.

Where to swim: at home or in the pool

In this table we have clearly shown the benefits of swimming at home and in the pool.

Important! Research in Europe has shown that frequent swimming in indoor pools increases susceptibility to allergies and asthma. Chloramines contained in the water and air of an institution are toxic and can easily penetrate children's skin. Chlorine oxides also enter the lungs, making their surface more vulnerable to pathogenic microflora.

The risk of transmitting harmful microorganisms through water is minimal due to water chlorination. But still, this possibility remains when in contact with other children, in contact with sides or benches.

Where do you plan to start infant swimming?

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In this video infant swimming specialist Olesya Kochina He will tell you in detail and show you where and how to start bathing your newborn.

Bathing equipment

To make staying in the bath enjoyable for mother and baby, modern industry provides many devices:

If classes are held in the pool, you will need to purchase waterproof diapers. A baby may leave an unexpected surprise in the water. Of course, it's better to swim naked at home.

Important! some doctors, for example teledoctor Komarovsky, consider the neck circle a useful invention. Others advise using baby support equipment carefully: staying in a cap or inflatable collar for a long time can lead to microtrauma to the neck.

It also matters from how many months you start wearing the device. Use it after the baby learns to hold her head up, do not exceed the bathing time and do not make sudden movements.

Getting ready for classes

To make your stay in the water comfortable and safe for your baby, it is advisable to follow several rules:

• The optimal age for classes is 2-3 weeks: earlier there is a risk of infection entering the umbilical wound; later the child may lose the ability to involuntarily hold his breath.
• For procedures can use bath or swimming pool for babies. The container is disinfected with soda and laundry soap, which is easily washed off with ordinary tap water. When using traditional herbal decoctions and potassium permanganate, you must avoid getting water into the digestive tract. In addition, grains of potassium permanganate that are not dissolved in water can cause a burn. It is better not to use strong chemicals containing chlorine, as a small amount of them remains and ends up in the water.
• It is important that the water temperature is comfortable for the baby, optimal 32 degrees. The baby himself will let you know if he is comfortable: if he cries, perhaps he is cold. A sign that the water is hot is the baby's lethargy. Crying and whining are not always a consequence of the fact that the child is cold or hot, perhaps he is afraid or has a stomach ache. During classes, it is advisable to gradually reduce the water temperature.
• Engage with a child better an hour before feeding or an hour after it. The baby should be well-rested and alert. If you feel unwell, it is better to postpone classes.

See how he advises you to start swimming with babies infant swimming specialist on the program with Dr. Komarovsky.

All necessary supplies must be prepared in advance. A towel, diaper, cap and collar should be at hand. For safety, an adult bathing a baby should place a rubber mat under his feet.

Techniques and techniques

Water exercises from the cradle are not a new phenomenon. Back in the 80s, during the USSR period, doctor and scientist Zakhary Firsov A book of instructions was written about the benefits of swimming for children under one year old. It was approved by the Ministry of Health.

At the same time, it became widespread Vladimir Guterman's technique, with a detailed description of infant training. Particularly progressive parents adopted tough Igor Charkovsky's method, which still raises doubts today.

Currently, Guterman's technique is recognized as optimal for infants. It assumes the main thing: activities should be enjoyable for the baby. Its application is designed in four stages:

1. Preparatory. Includes massage, gymnastics, the elements of which are used first outside the water, then in the bath. Preparation begins on the fifth day after birth and ends at the age of 3 months. During this period, the baby gets used to the water space around him.
2. Second period: learning to swim is that over the course of three months, the child’s swimming reflexes are strengthened in response to the mother’s commands. The baby masters movement techniques and gradually loses the habit of support.
3. Independent swimming. At six months or later, at 9 months, with the support of parents or instructors, the baby swims and dives on his own.
4. The final stage– consolidation of skills. An active one-year-old butterfly masters scuba diving and can swim across a small space.

Here's how to hold your newborn while bathing.

The technique includes the following exercises: at the initial stage, the mother leads the child along the bathtub in her arms in different positions and with varying degrees of support. Here are the basic techniques:

• Jumps and turns. Supporting your baby with your hands, bring his feet closer to the wall of the bathtub or pool. Feeling support, he will instinctively push away from it. This will be an incentive for further swimming.
• splashing. For this exercise, the baby should be placed in a face down position. Mom holds her chin with one hand and pats the surface of the water with the other, asking her to repeat the action.
• Swimming. Position the baby as in the previous exercise. Place a bright toy in front of him and invite the baby to grab it. Repeat several times, constantly increasing the distance between the child and the toy.
• Zigzags and eights. Having mastered swimming in a straight line, move in a zigzag pattern, drawing figure eights. At the same time, turn the little swimmer onto his back and stomach. Using an inflatable ring will make the task easier.
• Swing. Rock the baby up and down while he is lying on his tummy so that he rises and sinks. The baby's head should be completely above the surface of the water.

The strengthened baby walks along the bottom, jumps up, and reaches for a toy. If you follow all the instructions correctly, at one year old or earlier the child will be able to walk, swim and dive.

We invite you to see how a specialist conducts the first lesson in a regular bath at home with a baby.

As a rule, parents who have mastered the art of swimming with their child before the age of one year are very satisfied. Children grow up healthier and are ahead of their peers in development. Here are some tips from mothers who support infant swimming:

• Teach the first lesson at the age of 5 days, gradually accustom your baby to the bath. First, try practicing mom immersion with your baby. As soon as the baby adapts, you can call a specialist for instructions.
• If you hold your baby in the bath for a long time, your back and neck will hurt, so It's better to alternate with someone.
• When practicing diving first give the command “Dive!” and blow into your nose to the baby involuntarily held his breath. When the skill is established, move on to diving with your head, start learning to dive.
• Use salt water for bathing: dissolve 300 grams of salt in water per bath. This water will not cause eye irritation.
• In summer at the age of 2-3 months you can conduct classes outdoors in an inflatable pool.
• Do not say unnecessary words during the learning process, only commands “We work with our legs!”, “We work with our hands!”, "Let's dive!" We will definitely praise you for the job.
• When the baby will feel cramped in the bath, you can go to the pool. If the environment allows, after six months you can swim in the sea or lake with an adult.

Here's how to do it teach your baby to dive at home in the bath.

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7-month-old babies are more active and independent, performing exercises without the help of their parents.

Bathing a baby with a circle at 7 months video:

By the age of one year, you can teach your child to raise his legs higher to the surface and make splashes. The exercise develops conscious control of the lower limbs and allows you to quickly master the skill of walking.

Review of the circle for bathing babies from parents video:

Thanks to this product, you can perform any gymnastics exercises in water for infants, except diving. It is not recommended to prepare for diving - dousing the child with water from above. The chin recess is in close contact with the skin, and water can get into the baby's mouth or nose.

Music for bathing. The Flipper circle is an excellent solution for musical accompaniment while swimming. Calm classical melodies will interest any child and bring more joy from gymnastics in the water.

Gymnastics to relieve tone in infants

Muscle tone gives learning to act consciously. When the baby is relaxed and calm, his muscular system is slightly tense. This phenomenon is called muscle tone.

Do babies need gymnastics if they have hypertonicity - Dr. Komarovsky video:

As you get older, the tone decreases. But this does not always happen, and the pathology of tone (hypertonicity, hypotonicity, asymmetrical, uneven tone) needs to be corrected. To eliminate muscle tone, it is recommended to perform gymnastics in water for infants and a set of massage exercises.

Throughout all manipulations there should be affectionate communication with the baby. If the child is tired or unhappy, the massage should be stopped.

In each age period, specific manipulations are done:

From 1.5 to 3 months. Hypertonicity of the arms and legs is common. Stroking is done to relax. The duration of massage and gymnastic exercises is 15 minutes.

Gymnastics and massage for hypertonicity in infants 1-3 months video:

From 3 to 6 months. Energetically moves his arms and legs, grabs toys - muscles and joints develop and strengthen. The lesson includes passive, simple exercises that become more difficult as you get older.

Gymnastics for hypertonicity of infants 3 - 6 months video:

Massage is carried out according to the principle: shake, vibrate and rub using your fingertips. To relax and calm the nervous system, the massage begins and ends with stroking. Gymnastics for hypertension at this age are also performed using an inflatable ball.

From 6 to 9 months. The use of gymnastic procedures to enhance coordination actions and develop the musculoskeletal system.

Gymnastics to tone up infants 6 - 9 months video:

The following exercises are used: bring the arms together on the chest, bend and unbend the legs, turn from the back to the tummy, encourage crawling, raise straight legs.

From 9 to 12 months. Do gymnastic exercises and massage to strengthen the joints of the legs and arms, abdominal and back muscles.

Gymnastics to relieve hypertension in infants 9 - 12 months video:

It is recommended to perform a massage during the day, an hour after a meal or an hour before a meal. It is useful to ventilate the room. Temperature minimum 22 degrees. Hands are washed with soap, dry and warm. For massage, cream or oil is suitable and should be applied to your hands. Creams are not applied directly to the child's body.

The cause of muscle tension can be different. Water procedures are recommended for everyone, and when performing a massage for overexertion, a number of features must be taken into account.

For hypertension A gentle massage is performed: light stroking and pinpoint touches.

For hypotension a stimulating massage is carried out: lightly press, rub, tap, tap, pinch while stroking.

With asymmetrical tone A soothing massage is performed. Strengthening is directed to the side with reduced tone. An inflatable ball is used.

Physical manipulation has a great effect on development. In addition to rubbing and the ball, gymnastics in water for infants is of great importance.