Swimming has always stood out as a complete and accessible sport. It can be practiced by people of any age, including babies, pregnant women, the elderly and the disabled. The activity works all muscle groups, improving fitness, providing greater joint flexibility and physical endurance.
But, the benefits don't stop there! "Swimming generally improves circulatory and cardiorespiratory condition, helps with motor coordination and flexibility, reduces stress, improves sleep, aids in movement recovery and reduces obesity, cholesterol and glycemic levels," says Thiago Gara, pediatrician of São Luiz Hospital and Maternity Anália Franco.
Andrea Cristina A. M. de Almeida, physical educator and partner of Element Water, points out that swimming? at any age? promotes a number of benefits: providing a sense of well-being, improving the practitioner's routine, improving self-esteem (even easing depression and anxiety), increasing concentration, relaxing the mind and activating memory, improving socialization (by offering a new atmosphere of friendship and relaxation) etc. "Not to mention it improves the quality of life, helping to prevent various diseases," he says.
And most interesting of all is that swimming is a super-indicated activity for the baby, because it allows it to develop in all its fullness. It is worth mentioning that children, the younger they are, the less afraid of water they have! Thus, practice, as soon as possible, while respecting some essential cares, will create many advantages for the small, both physical and mental.
Swimming for babies: 9 questions answered
Although it is an overindicated sport for the little ones, it is common for parents to feel some fear about putting the baby in swimming. Below you can find answers to the main questions surrounding the subject.
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1. Are there contraindications for swimming for babies?
Thiago Gara points out that there are no contraindications, just care with the treatment of the pool (chlorine, for example) or allergy.
2. What precautions should be taken when parents choose the swimming school for their child?
• Attention is needed to the treatment of water, preferably ozone or salt, in case of allergy. Another important point is the water temperature, which, in the case of babies, should be around 26 degrees ?, explains Gara.
3. At what age can the baby start swimming?
Age may vary slightly from gym to gym. But in general, from the age of six months, as the pediatrician points out.
4. Can swimming harm the ear of babies?
In general, no. Ear problems mostly happen due to poor water treatment. Therefore, Gara recalls the importance of paying attention to the care of the pool where the baby will have classes.
An interesting attitude is also to wipe the child's ear well after swimming, as moisture favors the proliferation of bacteria. Another idea is to put a moldable cap on the baby (accessory that prevents water from entering the ear).
5. Will early contact with water prevent the child from developing fear of entering the pool or the sea?
It depends a lot on how parents treat the issue, usually the fear is passed on to them or after some trauma. If there is no failure in this sense, will there be no difficulties or fears ?, says the pediatrician.
For Eduardo Furlan, physical educator and partner of Element Water, swimming is important even to provide confidence and show that swimming is within reach of anyone. In this way, the benefits can start in childhood and last for a lifetime. Generally speaking, swimming provides the potential of the organism as a whole, increased self-esteem and greater social inclusion. Having mastered the technique, it is possible to expand leisure options, allowing you to venture into cool things to do, such as diving to know the wonders of the seabed, water sports or even feel free to give a simple jump in the pool with the intention of refreshing body and soul ?, comments.
6. Is it true that in water the relationship between mother / father and child can be tightened?
Yes, the relationship of affection and trust tends to improve a lot, according to Gara.
7Do babies with breathing problems benefit from activities in the water?
Yes, according to the pediatrician. "There is an improvement in the cardiorespiratory system, thus, there is an improvement in lung capacity in gas exchange and better performance, which improves bronchitis / asthma, for example," he says.
8. Can chlorine-treated pools harm the child's skin?
"They can, if there is too much chlorine or pH error in the pool," says Gara.
9. Do you have to wait for the child to complete one year to start?
No, by and large, some swimming schools already teach classes for babies as young as six months. They attend classes accompanied by a responsible adult (parent). At this stage, the child will have already taken part of the main vaccines.
And, it is worth mentioning: the sooner you start, the bigger will be the baby's motor and emotional repertoire, which will help in a healthy growth.
But, it is always important to talk to your child's pediatrician before starting him or her in the sport.
9 Advantages of Baby Swimming
The specific benefits of swimming for little ones are:
- Improvement of motor coordination;
- Reduced incidence of respiratory conditions;
- Increased bond with parents;
- Improved sleep quality;
- Appetite improvement;
- Increased muscle endurance;
- Better notion of space and time;
- Activation of blood circulation;
- Safer contact of the child (and future adult) with water.
Details to watch out for
Decided to put the baby in swimming? Great! But it is important to think of some points:
- The baby needs to be vaccinated with the first mandatory vaccines, so it is always important to talk to the pediatrician and get better information.
- Thiago Gara points out that attention is needed to the treatment of pool water, with preference for ozone or salt in case of allergy.
- One should also pay attention, according to the pediatrician, to the water temperature that, in the case of babies, should be around 26 degrees.
- The use of ear protector may be interesting for the baby.
- After the class, which usually lasts about 30 minutes, the baby should have a good meal, because the moments in the water require a lot of energy and, therefore, appetite.
- After class, give the baby a good bath at home and preferably moisturize his skin.
Finally, it is always interesting to talk to the pediatrician about the interest in putting the little one in swimming; It will surely pass all specific guidelines.
Fun and stimulating, swimming is a great activity for babies! Besides being a moment of pleasure shared between parents and children!
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