David Aguilar is a Senior Injury Prevention Coordinator at Children's Health℠ and Water Safety Instructor – and his passion for swim safety runs deep. He is a lifelong water lover who grew up near the beach and learned about the importance of learning to swim from his family.
"My grandfather's best friend drowned right in front of him as a teenager. So my mom was set on making sure that all my siblings and I knew how to swim. We all had a strong sense that water can be really fun and entertaining, but it should really be about safety first."
Aguilar believes many people mistake swimming for a simple activity. But it's not just an activity; it's a life-saving skill and sport that requires time and practice to master.
Aguilar answers important questions about when to start introducing your kids to pools, how to keep them safe as they're learning to swim and other helpful tips for raising a competent, confident swimmer.
When can parents take babies in the water?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) doesn't have an official age recommendation for when babies can go in pools. But most pediatricians recommend waiting until your baby is about 6 months old, when they can hold their head up and their skin won't be as sensitive to any chemicals in the pool.
When you're ready to introduce your baby to a pool, make sure you hold them the entire time you're in the water, and that your feet can easily touch the bottom of the pool.
At what age is it safe for children to start learning to swim?
Aguilar recommends getting children into a pool when they are around 6 to 12 months of age. While it's true that they may not be able to start mastering swim safety skills until age 3 or 4, the AAP states that children as young as 1 could benefit from taking swimming lessons for kids.
How can I help my child feel more comfortable in the water?
Parent and child swim classes are great for kids 6 months to 3 years old because they help children feel comfortable and relaxed in the water early on – and being relaxed is an important part of learning to swim.
Aguilar also recommends a few ways to help a younger child feel more comfortable in water at home while you're bathing them:
- Squeeze a few drops of water from a washcloth on their head and face. Be sure to warn them that you're going to do it. You might say: "Are you ready? OK, here we go. 1, 2, 3 … I'm just going to pour a little water on your face."
- Gradually build up to a small cup, then a big cup. By adding more water, it helps your child slowly get used to the feeling of having water on their face.
- Be patient. Your child needs time to get used to their body's automatic reaction to water on their face – closing their eyes and mouth and not breathing.
How long does it take a child to learn to swim?
Learning to swim freestyle across a long pool can take years. But developing water comfort and competency can be done in months.
"You want to make sure that if your child falls into the water, they know how to react, control their breath and rise to the surface and float. And there's a process to getting there that takes some time," Aguilar says.
For most children, it takes at least 6 months of continuous classes to see progress in basic skills like holding their breath, putting their face under water and learning to float.
"If possible, I always recommend classes that are multiple times per week. When there's a whole week between classes, kids forget what they've learned and you have to go back to square one. Learning to swim is like learning to bike or skate – if you go out and do it multiple times per week, you're more likely to get the hang of it," Aguilar says.
What is the best way for a child to learn to swim?
Swimming lessons with a qualified instructor is the best way for a child to learn how to swim.
Some parents may not know how to swim so they aren't able to teach their children. But even for parents who know how to swim, many children may listen to an instructor better in an organized, class environment.
After you've found a class for your child:
- Make sure your child feels comfortable with the teacher. Request a change of class if your child does not seem to trust or like the teacher.
- Check for progress. If your child has taken three consecutive classes and you're not seeing progress, it may be a sign that the program lacks quality and it's time to find another one.
What are the basic life-saving swimming skills that children should learn first?
There's a progression of skills that most swim programs gradually teach kids including:
- Holding their breath
- Closing their mouth in the water
- Blowing bubbles
- Putting their face under water
- Putting their whole head under water
- Learning to rise to the surface after being submerged
- Learning to float
- Being able to turn around
- Learning to kick
- Learning to move their arms
If you want to help teach your child to swim outside of class, it's important for you to be their life jacket – if they're not going to wear one.
How can you be your child's life jacket? By getting in the pool and staying within one arm's reach of your child.
What kind of floaties are best for children who don't know how to swim or are still learning to swim?
Many families buy inflatable water wings. But Aguilar does not recommend inflatable water wings for two reasons:
- They can slip off when a child jumps in the water.
- They can suddenly deflate – without you realizing it.
Instead, he recommends either a puddle jumper or a life vest.
Puddle jumpers
A Coast Guard approved puddle jumper is similar to water wings but it has a connective piece of foam between the two armbands – so they can't slip off or deflate.
"A Coast Guard approved puddle jumper may cost $25 but it will absolutely keep your child safer than water wings you buy at the dollar store," Aguilar says.
Puddle jumpers can be more appealing for kids, but that they do have an important disadvantage over full life jackets.
"Puddle jumpers are designed to keep a child straight up and down in the water. But sometimes a puddle jumper can tilt a child a bit forward so their face is in the water. That doesn't happen with a life jacket," Aguilar says.
Life vests
Life vests are the safest type of flotation device to put on a child. They come in different sizes and designs – but they're not all created equal!
Here are some important life vest tips for parents:
- Find one with a flap. For a child under 30 pounds, look for a life vest that has a flap in the back that can become a pillow. (The pillow is designed to keep a child's face from ending up in the water if they lose consciousness.)
- Make sure it's Coast Guard approved. Life vests with cartoon characters designs on them often have warnings in small print that say they are NOT approved as a life-saving device. If you can't find one that says it is Coast Guard approved, check the camping or fishing section of the store – rather than the seasonal swim section.
- Use the right size for their weight. If your child looks like they're wearing shoulder pads in the water and the vest is up to their ears, it's likely too big, which means they could slide out of it.
- Make it snug. Fasten all straps tightly. While it may feel quite snug out of the water, it won't once your child is in the water. More importantly, it won't ride up above your child's ears, which is both uncomfortable and unsafe.
Pool noodles
Pool noodles can be fun, but they can't replace a life jacket when a child is still learning to swim.
If your kid is not a strong swimmer yet and they get invited to a pool party, a pool noodle is simply not enough protection. Use a life vest or puddle jumper instead.
See more tips for how to have a safe pool party.
What are some other pool safety tips?
As your child gets more comfortable in water, Aguilar recommends two catchy sayings to teach them:
- "High five before you dive."
- "Fist bump before you jump."
Asking them to agree to high five or fist bump you before they leap into the pool is their way of asking permission and your way of snapping into supervision mode. It can also make sure you have a chance to make sure the water is deep enough for them to safely jump or dive
"No layer of protection can replace close and constant supervision. It's so important to be attentive, stay close to your child, and remain as watchful when they're in the pool as you would if they were attempting the monkey bars for the first time," Aguilar says.
Learn more about pool safety and how to prevent drowning.
Making a lifetime investment
Aguilar likes to remind parents – whether they know how to swim or not – that learning to swim is a life-saving gift a child can use and enjoy their entire lives.
"Parents often don't think twice about taking a child to soccer practice 2 or 3 times a week. But they don't invest as much in swimming, which I'd argue deserves at least the same amount of investment," Aguilar says.
Like many sports, swimming can be easier to learn when children are young. But it's never too late for any child – or adult – to learn.
Keep your child safe in the water
The Children's Health℠ Injury Prevention team is committed to keeping your family safe. Learn more about our water safety program.
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