Swimming is the best exercise for the overall development of your baby. The earlier you start the better it will be for your little one. In recent times, a lot of parents are getting their infants enrolled for swimming classes.
If you are one of them, the following are the few things that you need to keep in mind for your baby’s first swimming lesson:
1. Arrive 30 minutes early
If this is your first baby and it’s the first time that you are going to participate in an infant swimming class, then it is best to arrive about half an hour early to the class before the lessons start.
The extra 30 minutes will help you finish all the required formalities and check-in at the front desk. You can take a tour of the facility, change clothes and get familiar with the staff and coach before the class starts.
If you haven’t had the time or a chance to visit the facility before, then it’s a great time for you to get comfortable with the place and get all your questions answered. This is also a perfect time to allow your baby to adjust to a new exciting environment.
2. Don’t forget to carry a swim diaper or pants
If you are new to parenting then the first thing that you will have to learn is the art of diapering. That’s because it is one thing that you have to do for the next 5 years as a parent.
You might know everything about diapers – how to store them, different types of diapers, their disposal process, etc. all these are the basic things that every parent needs to know about diapers. But most of the time, parents are unaware of swim diapers for kids.
If you are planning to start swimming classes for your infant then investing in a reusable or disposable swim diaper is a must. That’s because many public pools have made it mandatory for the kids to wear swim diapers or pants.
This is because swim diapers help to prevent the contamination of the pool. It is beneficial for both, your baby and the people around and in the pool.
3. Extra towels and clothes are a must
Most of the time parents just think about what their kids need for the swimming lessons and tend to carry stuff only for their baby. While doing so, parents tend to overlook their own needs.
Most of the swimming classes for infants require parents to be in the pool with their baby, and that’s the reason why you need to carry two towels- one for you and one for the baby.
Don’t forget to bring extra clothes for both of you as well. Also, make sure that you are carrying an extra set of diapers other than the swim diapers. Natural diapers or hypoallergenic diapers are the best options.
4. Other useful items that you should carry
Swimming classes for infants are fun, enticing, and tiring for both the parent and the baby. Apart from the stuff required for swimming, you should also carry some food or snacks as you and your baby both might feel exhausted and hungry after the swimming session.
You need to carry a feeding bottle for your baby, extra water bottles for you, and some healthy snacks like nuts or whole-grain cookies. After the swimming session, you and your infant both will need a shower, so you also need to carry some baby soap and lotion.
Most of the swimming classes will offer you soap and lotion for your kid, but many parents prefer to bring their own soap and lotions that best suits their baby.
5. Understanding the benefits of swimming lessons for your baby
Most of the time parents think that swimming lessons are all about having fun and splashing water. That’s the reason why some parents think that this activity is not actually required for their baby.
But the truth is swimming is much more than just splashing water in the pool. Swimming is one of the most important and effective exercises for the physical and mental development of your baby. It helps to boost the development of the brain and cognitive skills.
Swimming is also very important for developing strength in the muscles and it helps to improve coordination and balance.