Infant swimming is the phenomenon of human babies and toddlers reflexively moving themselves through water and changing their rate of respiration. Swim time helps promote important muscle development and control in babies at a young age. Up until the age of three years old, your baby has a reflex that we use for submerging. The reflex we use to condition the babies is a falling reflex, when your baby shuts their eyes their epiglottis (throat) will close over as well. The first reflex is the diving reflex, which means if your baby goes underwater they will naturally hold their breath. You won't see this reflex after six months of age, and that is why it looks so remarkable in babies who are just a few months old. The second reflex is the swimming reflex.

Babies can also pick up an infection from water. You can take your baby swimming at any age, both before and after they have been vaccinated. It does not matter if they have not yet completed their course of vaccinations. Babies sometimes experience side effects after a vaccination. These are generally quite mild and should not stop you taking your baby swimming. Therefore, it's generally best to wait until your baby is around 2 months old before you take them swimming. You don't have to wait until your baby is immunised to take them swimming. If your baby is younger than 6 months, make sure the pool is heated to about 32° C.

Don't dunk a baby underwater. Although infants may naturally hold their breath, they're just as likely to swallow water. That's why babies are more susceptible to the bacteria and viruses in pool water and lakes that can cause stomach flu and diarrhea. Your baby's ear canal and middle ear are separated by the ear drum, so water cannot enter his middle ear while you are bathing him. Therefore, it won't be harmful if your baby gets water into his ear; however, it can be uncomfortable so it's safer to avoid getting water inside his ears.

Most parents do a good job cleaning baby bottoms during diaper changes. And most babies and toddlers only stool a few times a day. So, unless they poop in their swim diaper, they're not bringing too much poop into the pool. Babies urinate in their swim diapers, too, but their volume of urine is quite low. Keep your pool or water sessions short to start with 10 or 15 minutes at most before popping them out and drying them off with a hooded towel so they stay cozy and warm. Having more than one swim diaper ensures that you can stay at the seaside all day and keep baby warm and dry too.

Having fun with toys, gently splashing water over his body and lying him on his back and moving him slowly through the water, will help him feel more comfortable and happy. When you first visit a public pool, pick a time when it's not too busy. Let your baby splash and play with his bath toys. Throw one a few feet across the pool and "zoom" him through the water to retrieve it. Put your mouth under water and show your baby how to blow bubbles. This is an important lesson for him, as he can't inhale water if he is blowing. Although breath-holding can be scary for parents, it's usually harmless and your child should grow out of it by the age of 4 or 5. Breath-holding episodes: usually last for less than 1 minute (if the child faints, they'll usually regain consciousness within 1 or 2 minutes).

 They have to learn, just like they learn to walk. And most babies enjoy being in water .