Pediatrics: Lillian Beard, M.D.

Is it safe for my infant to take swimming lessons?

By Lillian Beard, M.D.

The American Academy of Pediatrics cautions that there is little or no justification for infant swimming instruction programs. Many well-intentioned parents rush to enroll their infants and toddlers in swimming programs hoping to make them ""drown proof" or "water safe". Beware! These programs may mislead some parents to develop a false sense of security that their babies can swim on their own or develop certain motor skills faster, which is not the case.

Drowning is the third most common cause of accidental death in children. Also, infants submerged in water are at greater risk for body salt and water imbalances causing water intoxication which can result in seizures, ear, sinus and gastrointestinal infections. There is also no way to ensure that diaper contents remained "contained" and will not contaminate the water, putting your infant and others at risk for viral or bacterial infections.

Despite the above warnings, I believe a parent/infant interactive experience involving water can be positive if done in a safe and protected manner, which means you must hold your infant securely making sure not to allow her head to bob under water. Also, avoid the use of floaties or other infant flotation tubes; they are not reliable and pose great accidental drowning risks.

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