Tips and Tricks for Helping a Baby Who is Resisting

• Don’t stay on one new skill too long. Count to five and move to the next step.
• Talk to baby the whole time. Explain to them what is happening.
• Stop, relax and let baby have a close cuddle while you cover them with water using your hands.
• Be animated and make all the things seem new and exciting.
• Celebrate when they do something without resisting/complaining.
• Build trust with baby, don’t be too silly or splash too much that they get a fright.
• Acknowledge when they have big feelings, but know that they can work on floating even with them.
• Take breaks and do something fun to distract them.
• Get bubbles you can blow.
• Do not use bubble bath or other soaps as they will make it harder to float in the water without getting soapy eyes.
• Plan for them, bring their favourite toy, know when they will be tired and hungry and get in the water at a good time for them.
• Always end each session on as happy a note as possible.
• 🙂 Smile.