How quickly does a baby learn to swim?

What's the best way to teach your baby something new? The challenge of balancing our expectations as parents with the stage of development your little one is in is often difficult, especially because we want to make sure we also bring some relaxation and extra fun into their schedule.

Aquatic education is a natural activity for babies precisely because they are used to a liquid environment since before birth. Newborns have automatic aquatic reflexes up to the age of 6 months through which they can hold their breath and once placed in water with their belly down they instinctively move their little hands and feet simulating swimming. That is why babies behave like born swimmers.

Does this mean that babies can swim? Not according to the conventional definition by which we understand the existence of coordinated techniques of activity.

We must always relate our expectations to the child's motor skills in accordance with their age. How quickly and how much the little one can progress in aquatic activity is directly dependent on the stage of development they are in.

Here are some realistic expectations you can have for your little one's aquatic education depending on age:

4 months: Baby is able to be relaxed in the aquatic environment

7 months: Baby can take a short dip in water

12 months: Your baby could perform a short underwater swimming exercise with your assistance

18 months: Your little one could maneuver independently in the water for 3-5 seconds using their feet for propulsion

30-36 months: Your little one could swim face down in the water for 2-3 meters

2-3 years: Your child could swim face down in the water and control their breathing using different types of simple techniques.

4 years +: Your child will be able to swim freely with their face in the water for about 6 meters.

The period begins when you can perform different exercises such as the butterfly and perfect your swimming techniques.

At Acvatic Bebe Club, we track the evolution that babies have at each individual session through a personal progress sheet. We look forward to seeing you for yourself in the aquatic experience by scheduling a FREE SESSION for your little one.

Sources:

https://www.thoughtco.com/teach-a-child-to-swim-3169541

https://www.babycenter.com/404_is-it-true-that-babies-are-born-with-the-ability-to-swim_10313062.bc

https://www.waterbabies.co.uk/baby-swimming/about-baby-swimming

https://www.bluewaveswim.co.uk/blog/how-long-will-it-take-to-learn-swimming/