Although they developed in the amniotic fluid inside their mother's womb for 9 months, it is common to see some toddlers worrying and getting anxious around water. Indeed, some children do not perceive the aquatic environment as a fun or joyful place, but rather as a danger.
The following sections provide the main sources of their reactions and some useful tips to help them overcome their fear of water.
Where does this fear of water in children come from?
To help your little one overcome their phobia of water, it's essential first to determine the sources of this fear. The origins of anxiety can be varied and multiple. Here are some elements that may be at the root of this fear of water in children.
Parental Anxiety
A baby's fear of water can be unintentionally transmitted by one of the parents. Indeed, some parents have certain apprehensions regarding the environment. These parents usually have a fear of drowning or of getting the newborn's head wet.
In such situations, babies can sense their parents' fear. To help them become familiar with water, you must learn to control your fear because children often imitate their parents.
A Bad Experience Lived by Your Baby
Sometimes, a child's phobia of water can result from a previous unpleasant experience. This little being may unconsciously and directly associate water with this unenjoyable experience they have had:
- Splashes at an inopportune moment;
- Shoves or noises;
- Accidentally falling into the water
- Soap in the eyes;
- Swallowing water in the bathtub;
- Shampoo that stings the eyes;
- Arguments of parents or siblings near water, etc.
Discuss with your little one to help them identify what bothered them. Then, offer them solutions to help put this bad memory behind them.
The Immensity of Pools and the Sea
The size of a pool and the infinity of the sea are nothing like the proportions of a bathtub or a basin in which the baby bathes. Their vastness can thus intimidate your baby. Moreover, the waves, the marine life, and the sounds and smells associated with these unfamiliar places can be at the root of children's fear of water.
Fear of the Unknown
Often, children who swim for the first time in a natural environment may fear water. In reality, since it's impossible to see the bottom, and given the vastness of the ocean that stretches as far as the eye can see, it is impossible for the child to feel comfortable in an environment that seems infinite. This is not reassuring for the little one, who might fear drowning.
How to Help Your Child Overcome Their Fear of Water?
If you wish to help your child get accustomed to water and learn to swim, there are several strategies you can use. Here are a few.
Try Baby Swimming Sessions
Before the age of 6, and mainly from 4 months, you can enroll your child in baby swimming sessions. These sessions are an excellent way to help your baby combat their phobia of water and effectively engage in baby swimming.
Baby swimming sessions aim to introduce little ones to the joys of swimming from an early age. They occur in children's basins and primarily at the municipal pool. Accompanied by their parents and a childcare professional, babies explore water through play and engage in water activities.
In addition to helping your child become familiar with water, baby swimming sessions allow them to enjoy special moments with you. The activities also contribute to their motor skills development. Once your child is over 6 years old, you can enroll them in swimming lessons to further their appreciation of water. Swimming for babies is an excellent way to develop their baby swimming.
Take Baby to the Pool with the Family
Taking your little one to the pool with the family, during vacations and especially with siblings, will be beneficial. By observing their family members enjoying and playing in the water, they will overcome their fear. Consequently, they will gradually associate the aquatic environment with a fun space where positive experiences occur.
Guide Your Baby in Discovering Water by Reassuring Them
If your child hesitates to express their anxieties, you can help them shed them. To do this, encourage them to articulate what they feel when they are in the water. Discovering what frightens them will guide you in adopting the right attitude.
Once you have an understanding of the source of their fear, you can help them become comfortable with water through play. Show them that it's possible to talk underwater and blow bubbles. Encourage them to blow on a toy boat to make it move quickly. When you take them to swim in the sea, stay at the shoreline and jump in the waves together.
Be sure to encourage them by acknowledging their progress. By doing so, you will enable them to go further each time, as they will feel more comfortable in the water.
Let Your Baby Discover the Aquatic Environment at Their Own Pace Without Judgment
To prevent your child from fearing water, it is strongly recommended not to do things for them. Simply accompany them step by step in their learning, respecting their own pace. It is up to them to decide the right moment to take the plunge.
Do not pressure them, as some young swimmers need more time than others. Once you allow them to explore the aquatic environment at their pace and without pressure, they will learn on their own and understand what to do or not do.
Equip Your Baby with Fun and Reassuring Flotation Devices
The joy of swimming also depends on the equipment available to the child during baby swimming sessions or swimming lessons. For this, you can invest in armbands that they can use during swimming sessions at the pool and the sea.
If your child is afraid of depths, equip them with swim goggles or a mask. With this aquatic gear, they can easily open their eyes underwater and feel reassured.
You can also invest in earplugs, life rings, a kickboard, and even pool noodles. These accessories will contribute to their development in water. Moreover, they will help them swim safely.
Note: also consider floating swimsuits, which are very useful when the child starts becoming comfortable in the water.
Consult a Specialist if the Problem Persists
If your child cannot overcome their fear of water despite all your efforts, consider consulting a psychologist. This professional will speak with your child to trace the origins of the anxiety and help resolve it.
If it's a genuine phobia, it's recommended to consult a child psychiatrist. It's possible that this fear of water reflects a psychological issue related to another event.
You now have an idea of the factors that may be causing your baby's fear. To help them thrive in water and no longer feel apprehensive, use the appropriate measures. Over time, you'll find that swimming sessions become moments of pleasure and play for all family members, including your baby. You might even be surprised to see them enjoy interacting with water.
