An Rx for swimming is what doctors order to keep young children active

True or false? Newborns are natural born swimmers.

1. Alas, false. Young infants do make hand and feet movements that resemble swimming when placed in water. And they do hold their breath and open their eyes when their heads accidentally slip underwater. However, infants’ heads are heavy for the size and weight of their bodies. Until at least six months of age, they can’t keep their heads above water nor can they intentionally sustain breath-holding underwater.

2. In fact, “swimming” has little to do with swimming. Blame the English language. According to dictionaries, “swimming” is merely “bathing in a body of water.” This makes swimming an ideal family-oriented, wholesome activity, one that helps young children to be physically active. The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has designated May 20–26 as Healthy Swimming Week to acquaint parents with the benefits of swimming and help parents minimize associated mishaps and illnesses.

3. Placing infants in water at an early age accustoms them to water. Some pediatricians suggest starting by age two months to help them overcome fears (which few infants display) and prepare them for swimming lessons. Start with sprinklers. Avoid very warm or very cold water. In water, let them splash with their hands. Don’t rush progress. Stay within arm’s reach. Infants can go underwater in seconds, without making a sound.

4. There is no consensus as to the optimal age to start swimming lessons. Guidelines vary from six months, and sometimes even younger, to four years. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests one year. Teaching infants to swim doesn’t “drown-proof” them. Generally, they swim only when adults hover over them, rarely when they fall into the water unseen. Also, starting lessons early does not create better swimmers.

5. Children (and adults) should shower before entering pools. Some disease-causing organisms found on skin may be resistant to the disinfectants in the water (usually chlorine). This allows organisms to remain infective for days. Moreover, other substances on skin – urine, stool particles, sweat, dirt, and personal care products, for example – combine with chlorine, reducing the chlorine’s effectiveness.

6. Skip swimming when children are ill. And hope other parents do so. Kids swallow water. The more crowded and the smaller the pool, the more likely the water is polluted. Some swimming facilities insist that infants wear special swim diapers, designed to keep stool from leaking out. However, such diapers merely slow leakage. Small, backyard “kiddie pools”, often filled with tap water, are especially vulnerable to contamination. Take kids on frequent bathroom breaks. Change diapers in diaper-changing areas.

7. Check the sanitation at public swimming facilities. Look up the latest inspection score. You can typically find them onsite or online. Do your own mini-inspection. Use test strips to check disinfectant levels before getting in the water. Test strips are available at most superstores, hardware stores, and pool-supply stores.

8. Proper flotation devices save lives. Use ones approved by the US Coast Guard. Many are designed to keep heads above the water. Devices must fit properly and comfortably; some are weight-specific. Have toddlers wear them when playing near water, not only in the water or on boats. Many air-filled swimming aids and air mattresses are toys; they may deflate suddenly, or children may slip off them.

9. Outdoor swimming significantly increases the risk of sunburn. Waterfront activities lengthen the amount of time kids stay in the sun. Most outdoor swimming facilities offer little or no shade. Water reflects the sun’s rays, adding to the direct radiation reaching skin. White, loosely woven T-shirts provide almost no sun protection. Water exposure shortens the time that sunscreens offer protection.

10. Miscellaneous. Sunburns of the back commonly occur to children (and adults) swimming in the sun. The sun’s burning rays penetrate several feet (half a meter) of water while the cooling effect of the water makes people less aware of the sun. Strong chlorine odors are not signs of well-chlorinated pools; it may mean that the chlorination system is malfunctioning.

For additional information, see:

CDC: Healthy swimming at https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/observances/hss-week/index.html

KidsTravelDoc: Protecting young children from the sun at http://kidstraveldoc.com/protecting-infants-and-young-children-from-the-sun/

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