Can you believe that today is the first day of May!? Summer is rapidly approaching and I’m “that mom” that is very adamant about my kids learning how to swim. My three eldest girls started swim lessons at the age of 6 months. Jeremiah started private swim lessons right when he turned 1. I obviously, couldn’t get in the water with him and leave my oldest daughter sitting next to the pool in a stroller. So, I opted to wait until he was old enough to start private lessons without me having to get in with him. Zahra will be starting her first ISR swim session this summer and I couldn’t be happier!
Now that we’re heading into the summer, they’ll be eager to get outside and jump into the pool. Being that I have 5 kids under the age of 7 AND they have a pool readily available in our backyard, I signed them up for the ISR (Infant Swim Rescue) Program. It’s a program that teaches children the “swim, float, swim” technique. The ISR swim lessons are literally 10 minutes long and last about 6-8 weeks (depending on the child). Some may think it’s harsh to put your child in a program and allow them to cry from either being in the water with a complete stranger or from fear of the water. My philosophy is “I’d rather have a crying child than a dead child!” Depending on your location the ISR program can get a little pricey. Regardless, if you decide to go through the ISR program, I recommend putting your child in some sort of swimming lesson. Here are some tips to help point you in the right direction:
1. Research
RESEARCH! RESEARCH!! RESEARCH!!! I always recommend doing your due diligence before letting your child participate in ANY sort of activity. Look for a class/program/facility with a good reputation and reviews. Are there on duty lifeguards? Do they offer small class sizes? All questions, that need to be answered before enrolling your little one.
2. Expectations
No child is going to jump in the water and swim like Nemo right away! Throwing your child into the pool with hopes of them learning to swim is not the move to make. Make sure your child is acclimated to the water in a positive manner. Babies are not expected to hold their breath underwater until around 12 months of age. In the ISR program, a child (starting at 6 months) will learn to roll from a face down position to a face up position and float. My kids learned to get their face wet, kick and pull up with their arms.
3. Bonding
This would be a perfect opportunity to bond with your little one. For most lessons, most likely for the first swim lesson, you’ll be in the water with your baby. With the ISR program you are unable to get in with your little one right away but will be able to later in the program. Make sure you continue to cheer your little one on and remain positive if they’re having a tough time. If you’re jumping in with your little one, bring a towel and change of clothes for yourself. I would recommend wearing your swimsuit to the pool, so you don’t have to worry about changing when you arrive.
4. Location
Where will you be swimming? Consider this ahead of time, as you may need to adjust your child’s swimwear accordingly. If you’re in a warm-water pool, a regular swimsuit and swim diaper will do just fine. If you’ll be swimming in an outdoor pool, make sure to bring sunscreen and a rashguard.
5. Diet
It’s very important to make sure your baby arrives to swim lessons on an empty stomach. Try not to feed your child least 1 hours prior to their scheduled swim lesson. Babies tend to swallow water and air during swim lessons. If there’s food in their stomach, that could lead to them vomiting in the pool. Always remember to pack snacks for after swim lessons. As they will be starving after working hard in the pool. Be sure to avoid the following foods at least 24 hours before lessons: apples (including juice), peaches, pineapples, papayas, passion fruit, celery, spinach and honey.
*** Please see the chart below per my Infant Swim Rescue swim instructor ***
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FOODS THAT ARE NOT RECOMMENDED IN ISR LESSONS |
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Apples and Peaches |
Apple and peach products (including juiced, sauced, and candied) can bloat a child’s abdomen which will reduce the volume of air that can be taken into the lungs. A distended abdomen can lead to weakened stomach muscles, buoyancy issues, and vagus nerve pressure. |
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Pineapples, Papayas, Passion Fruits, Peaches: |
These foods are difficult to digest and can create abdominal distention, discomfort causing interference with the lesson plan. Abdominal distention also does not allow for an effective breathing and can lead to pressure on the vagus nerve. Excessive pressure on the vagus nerve can lead to reduced consciousness or other serious complications. |
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Honey |
Honey may contain toxic spores and is not recommended for very young children until the digestive system has matured. |
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Celery and Spinach |
These foods naturally contain small levels of nitrites, which can cause interference with effective respiration and can also cause a blue color around the mouth. |
6. Scheduling
Depending on how many littles you have this could be a challenge. I try to schedule all 5 of my kids swim lessons back-to-back. Luckily my ISR swim instructor is very accommodating and maneuvers her schedule to teach my crew one after another! Scheduling your lessons earlier in the morning would be my recommendation. If you’re planning to attend a public pool, they’re usually calmer in the morning. Which means, less distractions for your child.
7. Potty Training vs. Non-potty
It’s mandatory to have your baby in a swim diaper if he or she isn’t fully potty trained. I like to double up on swim diapers because it helps increase protection of leaks. The last thing you want is the pool getting shut down due to “something” floating in the pool. I like to use both a disposable diaper & reusable swim diaper. I purchase my disposable diapers in bulk from Sam’s Club. If you want a more stylist reusable swim diaper, check out the Splash About line! Depending on your commuting time, do not change your baby into their swim diaper until you are at the pool. I’ve made this mistake several times and my kids have accidents prior to arriving. If your child is completely potty trained be sure they use the restroom before jumping in.
8. Swim Necessities
Swimsuits and towels are a no brainer when you’re headed to the pool. I throw all of my necessities into a large Bogg bag and out the door I go! Be sure to include the following items in your swim bag: snacks for after, a water bottle, sunscreen (if necessary), soap for rinsing off after lessons, a bag for your wet items, a change of dry clothes, baby lotion and a wet brush. I like to lather my kids in Aquaphor to help create a barrier between their skin and the chlorine. If your child has eczema or sensitive skin, I’d recommend doing that as well. I highly recommend using Black Girl Sunscreen for my melaninated friends! They also have a kids version! This brand doesn’t agitate my little one’s skin! If you prefer a spray sunscreen over cream, there’s an option for that too!
I hope you found these tips helpful! Keep in mind babies are very instinctive. They can read your energy! If they sense you’re nervous it will only make them more tense. Always remember the energy you put out is the energy your kiddos absorb. Until next time …
