Continued from page 1
If you have your own pool, it is up to you as a parent to decide when you want your baby to start swimming. There is no age limit. They can even start right after birth. Some classes however, ask that you wait until they are 3 months. Others recommend you start as early as possible. But keep in mind,
longer you wait, their confidence in
water decreases. Closer to their first year, they can actually develop a fear of water if they are not familiar with it. You should never force your child to learn if they don't want to. This will only result in a stressful situation for your child which could become a problem later on.
Don't expect your baby to start swimming like a pro right away. It takes time and patience. But even though they can't swim on
water's surface until they are about three, they can swim for short distances under
water with
help and encouragement of their parent. Have an underwater camera available to capture that special moment.
Check with your local community swimming pool to see if they have classes available. You and your new baby will love it.

Cassandra Germsheid is the owner of Baby Tips Online (http://www.babytipsonline.com). She is a stay at home mother but sometimes works part time for her local newspaper.