Looking back on Molly’s days as a newborn, I feel like I went through stages of using one type of bath over another, depending on what was most convenient. It’s like I graduated from one to the next as she developed more abilities. The funny thing is that going into parenthood, I was only awareContinue reading “Types of Newborn Bathing”
Author Archives: Pool Mom
Baby Eczema, Bathing, & Swimming: How to Care for Skin
Hi readers! Today on the blog, Anne Truppe of Eastwise Health shares her insights on treating babies with eczema by getting to eczema’s root cause. Moms of babies with eczema know that time spent in the water can aggravate the skin, so specialists often recommend limiting or reducing the amount of time spent in bathsContinue reading “Baby Eczema, Bathing, & Swimming: How to Care for Skin”
Responding to Behaviors Around the Pool
Teaching kids safety around the water includes teaching them to look for and expect adult supervision at pools, beaches, etc. as well as teaching them expected behaviors. None of us is a perfect grown up, but when we collectively model “pool manners,” our children pick up on it. Lifeguards have a big job keeping anContinue reading “Responding to Behaviors Around the Pool”
How to Teach Baby to Swim: Back Floating
In my last post (on kicking), I talked about how to build on baby’s natural knack for certain motions that connect to swimming. Today, I’m talking about back floating, which is another basic swim skill to teach in the bath within your baby’s first year of life (or as soon as possible.) To teach yourContinue reading “How to Teach Baby to Swim: Back Floating”
How to Teach Your Baby to Swim: Kicking
When I decided to raise my baby to love the water without formal swim lessons, I wanted to see what I could teach her to do at home in the bath using what I know as a swim instructor. The good news is that it’s going well, and I’m excited to share with other parentsContinue reading “How to Teach Your Baby to Swim: Kicking”
Swimming in Seattle: Insider’s Guide to Kid-Friendly Indoor Swimming Pools
Molly and I agonizingly miss our outdoor swimming days now that summer is officially over and the pool has closed. While sunny fall weather coaxed us outside to play (earth, what a novelty for summer lovin’ mermaids!), I’m getting anxious about two things: Keeping Molly’s swim skills and love of the water FRESH (and preferablyContinue reading “Swimming in Seattle: Insider’s Guide to Kid-Friendly Indoor Swimming Pools”
When Should Babies Start Swimming Lessons?
Some college friends recently gave birth to their first baby (!), a beautiful girl. They follow Molly’s swimming shenanigans on our Facebook and Instagram feeds, and asked me for tips about instilling their baby with confidence in the water. Specifically, when should babies enroll in swimming lessons? (In case you haven’t read my post whereContinue reading “When Should Babies Start Swimming Lessons?”
Delayed Bathing of Newborn Babies
Delayed bathing is a standard practice in many hospitals, including the one where we delivered. The World Health Organization recommends delaying a newborn’s first bath for at least 24 hours after birth, unless medically or culturally necessary (source.) A few of the beneficial reasons include immediate skin-to-skin contact, keeping mom and baby together, higher potentialContinue reading “Delayed Bathing of Newborn Babies”
Infant Bathing Techniques, Part 3: Put Water on Baby’s Face
A baby or toddler who is comfortable with water on her face has an additional tool to use to self-rescue when she inevitably loses her footing while playing in shallow water.
Infant Bathing Techniques, Part 2: Newborn & Infant Bath Safety
Hey guys, this post is the second in a series I’m writing about Infant Bathing Techniques to provide a little guidance in the world of infant bath times. As a new parent, I remember feeling a tad lost about the whole bath time gig with my newborn baby. A lot of who I became asContinue reading “Infant Bathing Techniques, Part 2: Newborn & Infant Bath Safety”
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