I can recall from human development classes back in college that newborn babies up to a certain age can instinctively swim, and "know" not to breathe in when submerged in water. Now, dont get me wrong...im not planning on throwing my baby in a body of water once she is born. But, I am curious to know if anyone knows of any factual info on the subject...thanks!
2007-08-22 16:47:20 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
http://theparentsite.com/babies/reflex.asp
They can't swim, but they do have a swimming reflex. If you put them in the water they will move their arms and legs in a coordinated, relaxed motion and not tense up which is the reaction that will occur after the reflex wears off.
You're right too about babies holding their breath when submerged. All mammals have what is called a diving reflex meaning that if submerged they will hold their breath.
There are also swim classes for parents and babies. These I don't know anything about, but seem facinating.
To everyone freaking out - No one is talking about throwing a baby in a tub and seeing if he can survive on his own, but it's pretty much the same as walking. Can babies walk? No.
Do babies have a walking reflex? Yes
2007-08-23 06:24:11 · answer #1 · answered by Siciliene 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
yes they do. I was a water safety instructor for 7 years. I saw them at the pool. We had a 2 year old going off diving boards because he had been in the water since birth. If you blow in their face they instinctively hold their breath. Thats when you slowly lower them into the water. Not for long because they don't hold their breath as long as we do. But thats how you get them started. The dont actually swim but they can do under and I did it with all 3 of my children and never had one drown - they are all teenagers now :)
P.S. True - never leave a baby unattended. A trained Water Safety Instructor (not lifeguard) should be able to help you if you want your baby to learn. You can not just throw a baby into the water.
2007-08-23 06:23:47 · answer #2 · answered by NOt going to be a hippocrit 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I have wondered that myself.
When my son was born they checked him out and then laid him on my pelvis to show me he could "crawl" to my breasts and HE DID IT. Kind of just squirmed and wormed his way up, and I am sure I was tilting my body to help him, but I did not believe he would be able to do it so my doctor had to pull a "told ya" on me. Never had the nerve to try the swimming thing but the same doctor said they can swim too.
2007-08-22 16:55:29 · answer #3 · answered by starrystarrynight 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I read an article that up to their fifth month, their throat has a reflex that closes automatically and doesn't let water in when their in water. The wouldn't know how to hold their breath,it kind of automatic. Don't you see that baby on the cover of the Nirvana cd, he's swimming under water.
2007-08-22 17:17:26 · answer #4 · answered by enchantra387 2 · 2⤊ 3⤋
they have been in water for 9mths, yes they do know how to hold their breath, but as they grow this reflex deminishes and they have to relearn when you teach them to swim.
2007-08-22 16:54:09 · answer #5 · answered by madiesmum 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
No, they can't swim. That is a learned skill. They would not know how to hold their breath either, as they are inhaling/drinking amniotic fluid while in-utero.
2007-08-22 16:50:17 · answer #6 · answered by Melissa 7 · 2⤊ 4⤋
NO THEY CANT SWIM.
2007-08-22 17:05:30 · answer #7 · answered by TABBYKAT34 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋