Baby Pool: What to Know and When to Start Neonatal Aquatics
Did you know that the baby retains the memory and sensitivity of his body in water from the period in which he was in the mother's womb? Up to 6 months , in fact, the baby seems to remember the sensations felt in the amniotic fluid, rediscovering that freedom of movement and well-being of when he was in the mother's womb. But when is it possible to enroll newborns in the pool and what are the benefits of neonatal aquatics? Continue reading to find out everything you need to know about swimming lessons in the pool for newborns.
When to start taking your newborn to the pool?
The recommended age to start taking a newborn to the pool is between 3 and 5 months . This period is often considered a safe reference point because, around this age, newborns have developed better control of their neck and muscles. In addition, they can stay underwater without drinking because they still have the neonatal reflex, known as the apnea reflex , which causes the baby to close the epiglottis so as not to swallow water and hold their breath during the dive.
Furthermore, by waiting at least 3 months, the mother will also have time to recover in the postpartum period and avoid infections especially in the case of a cesarean section or perineal tear.
How long should babies stay in the pool?
Pool classes for newborns usually last around 35 minutes because the little one's resistance is still limited.
It is possible that the first few times the baby will show signs of tiredness even after 20 minutes and will want to latch on to the breast or cry to come out. As the instructor will point out, it is important to indulge the baby and not force him : you will see that the next time he will be able to resist a little longer.
Newborns in the pool: benefits of neonatal aquatics
Infant aquatics , or the experience of introducing newborns to the pool in a safe and controlled way, offers numerous benefits for the physical , cognitive and emotional development of children. Here are some of the main advantages of infant aquatics: