I recommend reading Water Babies: Teach Your Baby the Joys of Water- From Newborn Floating to Toddler Swimming by Francoise Barbira Freedman before beginning any type of Water Baby or Tot swimming program. I've been involved with Water Babies since my son was about 7 months of age. Since then, we go to the pool twice a week, aside from the coldest winter months when we took a short break. This is a book that I read prior to enrolling my son and is one that have since referenced many times.

Freedman's Water Babies is a hardcover book that is oversized at approximately 9X12 and contains 96 pages jampacked with everything you needed to know about introducing your child to a love and respect of water. The cover spotlights 2 wonderful photos that are signature for the entire book. The photography is worth the steeper price-tag (at almost $20) alone.

Freedman's Water Babies is broken down into 7 sections:

Forwards
1. Introducing Water Babies
2. The Early Stages
3. Floating
4. Holding for Swimming
5. Submersion
6. Swimming with Babies
7. Towards Swimming
Resources and acknowledgements
Index


In the Forward, Freedman stresses that your baby's intro to water should be fun and happy. As a parent introducing a child to water it is your responsibility to ensure your child is both content and confident in the water (be it a bath or a pool, etc). Early swimming skills can help your baby develop their strength, coordination and build self confidence. Its also a wonderful bonding experience between parent(s) and child.

There are many ways to use Freedman's Water Babies. For being only 100 pages in length its the most comprehensive, educational and informative resource I've found about infant swimming. You can use the book as a reference book, an instructional guide, or for an overview on the Water Babies methodology. I use it for all of these reasons and more.

If you read anything at all in Freedman's Water Babies it should be the first two chapters Introducing Water Babies and The Early Stages. Freedman clearly defines and answers common questions such as finding the right pool program, how frequently to swim and for what duration. Of course, much of Water Babies programs is doing what "feels right" for you,there are tried and true success stories that Freedman uses as support cases for the methodology which is taught. Freedman is upfront about the importance of parental closeness and involvement as well as taking a gentle approach to baby swimming. There are many mutual and physiological benefits for both the parent and the child. And of course, the most important factors of baby swimming -health and safety issues.

For those curious, Alexander and I swim twice a week for approximately 30 minutes. It takes more time getting ready, driving to and from the pool, changing in and out of swimwear and cooling down afterwards than we actually spend in the water. But its worth it and is a time that both my 15 mth old son and I look forward to.

Before reading Freedman's Water Babies I was uncertain about the claims I had heard that "Babies can Swim" because I've seen the many reports of children drowning, etc. Freedman is very upfront about the basic reflexes that babies have including the amphibian reflex, righting reflex, and reflexive holding breath. What I learned is that just because these reflexes exist doesn't mean that a baby is born swimming. This is something that needs to be nurtured through introduction and exercises done in the water and it also varies based on how early you re-introduce your baby into a water enviroment. Freedman encourages you to begin the introduction to water through bathing. In fact, it was through bathing and floating my son in the tub that I became interested in pursuing further swim instruction.

The nitty gritty of the book goes through about a hundred or so different exercises or activities. The activities featured in the remainder of the book range from beginner stuff- different holds to use in the water, dips, swings, throws and games to more advanced and complicated techniques including dives and seal rides. The final chapter goes over some swim aides and the basics for "independent" swimming.

Most of the exercizes that Freedman teaches you can do alone with your child in the water or as part of a group. In my experience, part of what is "fun" about Water Babies is watching your child communicate via the water and with other children (not to mention some adult interaction for youself too). Each activity is not only described in detail, step by step but there is always a photo. Most of the glossy pages in Freedman's Water Babies include 2 or more photos of parent and child. I find this to be a very helpful attribute of the book because it shows quickly and accurately the proper positioning or technique.

One thing you should know before reading Freedman's Water Babies is her position on submersion. Freedman is extremely pro submersion of the baby underwater and many of the activities and lessons that include underwater games, etc. I'm not a confident underwater swimmer so many of these we have not explored to the fullest (yet). Also, depending on which instructor is at the pool they each have their own thoughts and feelings about submersion. Some pools have rules about submersion for babies as well for insurance reasons. After reading Freedman's Water Babies you'll surely have your own thoughts on submersion as well.

For the most part, I agree with what Freedman has to say, but I have set a realistic expectation that I am not a professional swimming instructor, nor do I live in a climate that is suitable for frequent swimming (we go to an indoor pool) so we don't swim as often as I'd like to. Freedman shows babies swimming underwater and going for underwater seal rides (riding on the back of a parent while holding onto the parents neck) that are probably around 1 year of age. My son is no where close to that, but I don't consider us as "failing" either. Its important when reading Freedman's Water Babies to not get wrapped up in the age of the child as much as the developmental step they are at in the water, and that both parent and child are having an enjoyable time together.

It could be very easy when reading Freedman's Water Babies to garner a false expectation that your child will swim like a polliwog at the ripe age of 6 months, and that is simply not a realistic case. Freedman does drive this point home a few times, but unfortunately her words are sometimes overshadowed by the gorgeous and inspiring photos of young swimmers.

With those realistic expectations in mind, however, I do highly recommend picking up this book. If you are considering enrolling you and your baby (from 4 months to 3 years of age) in any type of Infant Swim or Water Babies program, I'd go so far as saying Freedman's Water Babies is "must have" reading material for preparation for the class and also as a reference guide.

I'd encourage those who are looking for more info about Water Babies to feel free to drop me email or leave me comments with any specific questions. Other related reviews you'll need to check out include:

Kushies Swim Diaper:
http://www.epinions.com/content_42271805060

Luvs SplashWear Disposable Swimpants:
http://www.epinions.com/content_61101477508

Huggies Little Swimmers:
http://www.epinions.com/content_26805571204



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