Our 4 year-old swam across the pool this past weekend for the first time. After years of swimming lessons this was a reason to celebrate: big throw! I hate to admit it but I’ve really disliked doing swimming lessons. Both boys often brought more tantrum and tears than tangible joy to the pool deck. After a day at work I would often leave evening swim lessons embarrassed, exhausted, or somewhat disappointed. They felt like #fails. So when we got across the pool this past weekend, we were all delighted. Finally the big win.
Swimming across the pool doesn’t mean I’m off the hook, of course.
I will say, however, that eating those veggies has paid off. Now that we’re finally swimming I’m thrilled we did lessons early. There is a lot more both our boys still need to learn about water safety and skills they’ll both need to be strong swimmers. For example it’s much harder for them to swim in the lake than the pool secondary to the waves and distractions. They still don’t understand risks of the water. So we have years of swimming lessons ahead but I’m feeling optimistic with the epic win last Sunday.
New data published in the last few years encourages swimming lessons earlier, as early as age 1 to 4 years. Data finds early swimming lessons reduce drowning risk in those children most at risk–toddlers (especially boys). Although swim lessons are never a replacement for close supervision, there may be some protection against drowning when children get started early. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says this about early swim lessons:
The studies are small, and they don’t define what type of lessons work best, so the AAP is not recommending mandatory swim lessons for all children ages 1 to 4 at this time. Instead, the new guidance recommends that parents should decide whether to enroll an individual child in swim lessons based on the child’s frequency of exposure to water, emotional development, physical abilities, and certain health conditions related to pool water infections and pool chemicals.
More Information About Swimming Safety:
- For information about drowning prevention and Washington State resources.
- For more information from the AAP on swimming lessons during infancy and early childhood.
- From Seattle Children’s: 6 myths about water safety.
Meagan says
I held off on swimming lessons because I was worried about chlorine exposure and a family history of asthma. My 2 year old seems to be developing asthma regardless, but this summer we were unable to afford swimming lessons. I do intend to bring him to play at the lake a few times before the summer is over, but we aren’t really around swimming pools all that often. We are going to Florida for Christmas, and there will be a swimming pool at the house, which worries me.
Wendy Sue Swanson, MD, MBE says
Meagan,
Thanks for your comment and adding a really good point–chlorine can be irritating to some children who wheeze and/or have pulmonary/lung problems. Outdoor pools may be slightly better but irritants can trigger a wheeze regardless in some cases (NOT all). Talk specifically w your child’s doctor.
HOWEVER, don’t underestimate the joy and welcome to the water you can bring outside of lessons. Just getting in the lake or free public pool this summer will be wonderful!
Wendy Sue Swanson, MD, MBE says
Meagan,
Also–of note, the link above in the post “Infant Swim Lessons (2010)” discusses some of the data around chlorine/wheeze and triggers for wheeze around chlorine:
https://www.wendysueswanson.com/if-it-were-my-child-infant-swimming-lessons/
Laura Gardner says
Meagan
If you are in the Seattle area, the Columbia Athletic Club Pools are salt water pools. If you are not a member your kids can still take swim lessons.
Desiree says
Thanks for bringing this up.
My daughter has CF and her doctors have always said that it’s good for her to go swimming because it’s good exercise. She was hospitalized twice last year and it seemed that her first bout of sickness coincided with swim class. I pulled her from class – because she was sick of course – then she seemed to get better so I put her back in class a few months later…she got sick again but worse. She ended up with a partially collapsed lung that took two stays to clear up.
I didn’t enroll her again until this year hoping it was a fluke, but her cough significantly increased while in classes. Now that she’s good with the basics, I’m not re-enrolling her. We go to the pool together here and there but not twice a week like before.
I am obviously not a doctor, but the risks of frequently visiting the pool just aren’t worth it to me. Maybe it’s all in my head.
Angela Pope says
My 6 year old daughter never liked water on her face from the time she was an infant up until this spring. I remember swimming lessons with her at age 2 which were scared, tear fests which left me unable to understand why. This year, she’s willing to dunk and really seems eager to learn her way in the water. I’ve heard this can be common in children but really have no idea what the cause would be … thoughts?
Wendy Sue Swanson, MD, MBE says
Hi Angela!!
Like so many toddlers and preschoolers she was likely scared. A mix of instinct and smarts, in my mind. Fear of being submerged in water makes a lot of sense instinctively! Why some children maintain more fear of water compared to others isn’t entirely understood. But it isn’t uncommon for many of the preschool anxieties and fears to improve during the early school years. So glad you’re back in the water!
With my boys the fear and anxiety came and went. There was a trigger only on one occasion (where a swim teacher let one of my boys drop below the water for a bit more time than was comfortable — he then wouldn’t get in the water for a month or so). All the other tantrums and tears just popped up spontaneously. I never quite understood it. We forged ahead, sometimes spending the entire lesson on the pool deck…but other families do just what you did—they take a break. And I think either option works and is entirely dependent on what you really think your child is up to.
Enjoy the water this summer!
Melissa says
Love your blog!! My four year old also just swam across the pool and I was equally excited!! What is your thought about chlorine and germs etc. in pools and babies? When did you first take your kiddoes in the pool? 4 months? 6 months? Love to hear your opinion 🙂
Wendy Sue Swanson, MD, MBE says
Hi Melissa,
Good question. There have been reports about fecal contaminants in pools and in lakes. These reports come every year (!!) so of course it seems daunting. That being said, like all things we do there is balance of risk and benefit.
If you’re thinking about beaches, you can always check updates on public water safety. Here in the Puget Sound area you can check the coliform count (bacteria) of all beaches here (you’re able to check each individual beach and you can view data easily for weekly test results of contamination):
https://green.kingcounty.gov/swimbeach/
That being said, your infant’s immune system is robust at birth but even much closer to mature at 6 months of age. Even at 4 months of age your baby is likely safe to be wherever you go in the water if in your arms. I would not recommend swimming in public pools prior to 3 months only due slight inc risk of infection and the need for more invasive testing if a child develops a fever at that age.
Perhaps think about checking safety of water where you’ll be swimming if you’re going with a (young) infant to provide more info and peace of mind.
Lisa says
I’ve been wondering for a few years now… is it true that swimming pools contribute significantly to the spread of GI bugs? I heard that and it’s made me not too excited about doing winter swimming lessons. Thanks!
Lisa
Lisa says
Also – “After a day at work I would often leave evening swim lessons embarrassed, exhausted, or somewhat disappointed.” Thanks for the honesty. Had a rough and embarrassing day with my own toddler, I guess in part because we kept him out late last night. Always good to know I’m not alone in that. Our pediatrician says there is a broad range of compliance that’s all still normal for toddlers. Hoping he’s right… he claims his two boys were not very difficult when younger and are doing great now.
Kelly says
I have two boys who have been swimming since they were infants; they’re now 12 and 14 and FINALLY they are eager to go and they come out of the changing room quickly too. I admit to taking a few years off because, when they got to the age where they couldn’t go in the women’s change room I struggled to get them out of the change room. I went ballistic when they had me waiting in the lobby of the YMCA for an hour one time so that was the end for a while. Thank goodness that isn’t a problem anymore.
Regarding the chlorine; more and more communities are finding saline pools a great alternative to the chemicals. I know nothing about managing pools, but this has worked out well for us.
Rachel says
My four year old twins have been swimming across the pool this summer, too. They did one two week session of lessons last year that I felt were a waste of time and that the kids hated and two 30 minute private lessons this summer. They seem more confident in the water (and, honestly, seem to be better swimmers) than even their friends who have been going to expensive swim lessons every week for the past two years. I think the key is that we spend a lot of time in the summer playing and having fun in the pool. I love the water so it’s fun for me to hang out with them in the pool. I don’t do drills or anything like that with them – we just play and have fun. Their instructor this year said they picked up the techniques he taught them so quickly (in an hour basically) because they are so comfortable and happy in the water.
Anyways, all this is to say that it seems that you don’t need to spend a ton of time and money on swim lessons (if one parent is a good swimmer who loves being in the water with the kids). Learning to swim doesn’t necessarily have to be an expensive and unpleasant chore.
Oh, and yes, I still watch them like a hawk when we’re in or near water.
shobana says
This is an excellent avenue for parents to bond with their child through fun and safe water activities. At the same time, the child is given the opportunity to develop the skills
Marria says
Amazing! I like this idea.In hot weather especially in summer swimming pools provide relief and fun especially for little one. Thanks for sharing pool safety which is really important for your kids.