Babies have a real affinity with water, having spent months in the womb suspended in fluid. So floating in a bath-tub temperature pool will, at the beginning, actually feel much more familiar than being on dry land. However, this innate confidence can diminish as babies get older, possibly leading to fear. This is one of the main reasons why we believe in starting swimming from so early on.
Babies have a complex myriad of reflexes that develop in the womb. Historically the media have made much of something called the mammalian dive reflex. This is actually a survival reflex that's activated if a face is submerged into ice cold water. So you'll be pleased to hear it's not one we actually use!
Two other reflexes that can be activated during infant swimming are the gag and laryngeal ones. However, although we capitalise on the fact that babies will remember their effect, we essentially train our babies to hold their breath before any reflex is stimulated by the sensation of water on their larynx. A reflex is just that: an involuntary response. And we believe that by teaching babies to control their breath, we can give them real empowerment and a sense of being fully in control.
Our method of introducing babies to underwater swimming uses a very gentle and gradual process. Its carefully controlled structure means babies quickly become familiar with it. Thus they are easily able to recognise the commands that precipitate an underwater swim.
And do rest assured, whilst underwater work is an important and exciting part of the course, it only constitutes a tiny proportion of the work we do. About 95% of the lesson takes place on the surface and the swims beneath it only ever last a few seconds.
This clear structure, combined with the fact that we’ll never swim a baby against their wishes, are what create the strength of water confidence, symbolic of so many of our tiny clients.
