Bath Session Number 2 and on

• Start with the same routine as you have been using thus far.
• The learning goal now will be to increase the amount of time your baby can spend on their back in the water. This will allow them to build the abdominal muscles needed to eventually hold themselves on top of the water, on their own. It will also eventually teach the child that the best place to breath is on their back. Although it can be counterintuitive to the more traditional way of teaching swimming, learning to be comfortable on their back brings great and important benefits: it allows baby to relax, obtain proper body position, hold themselves in a more hydrodynamic position, and breath and survive in unexpected water situations.
• As both parent and baby’s level of confidence and comfort increases, it will become easy to add increasing intervals of time spent on this back float drill. If needed, repeat the same interval timing 2 or 3 times before moving on to the next practice step.
• Move on to the next practice step when you and baby have mastered the current practice. Every child and every parent is different so don’t rush and put pressure onto yourself or baby to advance too quickly.
• Don’t worry, not every session will be perfect. As you continue to practice, some sessions will be better than others. Sometimes learning can be hard work, from time to time your child might be fussy because they are tired, hungry, or just plain cranky. Follow baby and take breaks and go easy on them at times and push them harder when their mood and demeanour allows.
• Don’t forget the more you practice holding your child, the easier it will become for you and your child. Children feed off of our emotions, if you are nervous they will feel something is wrong, and they may feel uncomfortable and may react with resistance or tears, remember to show them with your face, voice and gestures, how much fun water can be.
• Take a break if you or baby are feeling stressed.
• Stay confident that you are teaching fundamental life skills to your child. It will not always be easy but in the end it is essential for their safety around and in the water.
• When babies are challenged they may react with crying and/or resistance. While it is difficult to see baby being uncomfortable or crying, it is important to remember that the long term benefits of this water routine will be life long.
• If you ever feel you have tried everything to distract and redirect your baby but they are really just too unhappy to continue, just end the session and finish on a positive note by cuddling, signing a song, or blowing bubbles.
• Be sure to go back and try again another time, don’t give up! Move along with babies needs and not a rigid schedule. This is essentially the beauty of our at home program, it works for both busy parents and their unpredictable babies!

Introduction to Breath Control

• Start with the same routine as the previous exercise. Gently pour water on your baby’s legs, arms, back, chest.
• Pour water on the back of your child’s head and then pour water on the middle of their head.
• This time you will gently pour a little water on the front top of their head. To do so you will prepare your child by giving them a cue. “now we are going to take a little shower. 1, 2, 3” “I am going to put a little water on your head” Poor just about half a cup, not to much, onto their head. Water should run down their face.  Observe your child’s reaction. It’s possible that they react by crying, or they may find it funny, every baby is different. If they are upset, just wipe their face with your hand or a little wash cloth, and make eye contact to reassure them that they are okay. Hug and praise them.
• Repeat this a few times, adding a bit more water each time, up to about 3/4 cup on the front of their head.
• It is very important to give baby a warning to prepare them before you pour the water and positive reinforcement after you have poured the water to reassure them they are doing okay.
• Doing this water activity, babies are are now learning breath control! It is a very normal reflex for the water to make baby feel a little bit startled or like they cannot take a breath, It may look as though they are gasping for air, but this is a normal part of their learning to control their breaths and while uncomfortable for a few seconds, is a great step in their learning process. They will quickly learn when to hold their breath.
• Rest and Repeat this water exercise a couple more times. If the child is happy you may pour a full cup of water. Always look at their face and reaction, to make eye contact and reassure them.
• SMILE for baby!! If you are smiling too, this will provide them with positive reinforcement to learn to appreciate this exercise. If you are worried, and it shows on your face, this may intimidate them. Stay mindful of how both you and baby are reacting to this part of the session.
• If the baby is crying or upset, take little breaks, reset, reassure and comfort them. There is no need to rush this process. Remember you are also building trust between you and your child.
• It is possible that a bit of water will get swallowed during this practice. If the baby begins coughing, hold them upright, ensuring their head is out of the water and hold them safely and let them cough and catch their breath. You may also softly pat their sternum and remind them they are safe. Rest until baby is feeling at ease again.
• This skill will improve in a gradual progression. Each time you practice, both you and baby will become more comfortable. As you both gain confidence, you will foster new swimming skills.