Baby swimming is about more than just splashing around; it’s a vital developmental activity that builds confidence, safety skills, and physical strength. If you are looking for ways to progress your baby’s swimming lessons, focusing on breath control and mobility is the next big step.
In this post, we review a swimming session with Harper, an 8-month-old who is mastering her breath control and discovering her mobility in the water. Watch the full video here:
Watch: Baby Swim | Harper 8 Months Extending Breath Control
1. Conditioning with Verbal Triggers
Consistency is key when teaching infants to swim. Even for babies who are comfortable going underwater, it is crucial to maintain “conditioning”—using specific cues to prepare them for submersion.
As seen with Harper, the instructor continues to use a verbal trigger “Ready, Go” before pouring water over her face. This routine signals the baby to close their eyes and hold their breath, reinforcing a safe reaction to water.
- See the conditioning technique in action: [00:17]
2. Replicating Land Movements in Water
Around 8 months, babies often become much more mobile on land, crawling or pulling themselves up on furniture. You will notice they start to replicate these movements in the pool.
Harper demonstrates this by pulling herself up on the shallow ledge of the pool. This is a great sign of physical development and comfort in the water, but it also means parents need to be extra attentive as their little ones become harder to keep in one spot!
- Watch Harper pull herself up on the pool edge: [00:45]
3. Extending Breath Control
Once a baby is comfortable with short bursts of water, the goal is to gradually extend their breath control. This prepares them for longer submersions and increases their safety.
In the video, the instructor switches from a small cup to a larger bucket. The larger volume of water takes longer to pour, which trains the baby to hold their breath for a sustained period. The instructor counts to six while pouring to ensure a slow, steady flow.
4. Social Referencing and Reassurance
Swimming should always be a positive experience. After a challenging activity like the bucket pour, you’ll notice Harper looks to her instructor for a reaction. This is called social referencing.
The instructor immediately offers praise (“Good girl!”) and smiles. This positive reinforcement reassures the baby that they are safe and doing a great job, building trust and confidence for the next lesson.
- See the positive reassurance after the exercise: [01:13]
Final Thoughts
By using consistent cues, encouraging natural mobility, and gradually increasing challenges like breath control, you can help your baby become a strong and confident swimmer. Start with small cups and work your way up as your baby gets comfortable!
All baby swimming classes must be conducted in a safe and positive learn to swim environment. Each Baby and Toddler should be encouraged to learn to swim according to their individual readiness. Consult a professional, registered swimming teacher. The learn to swim process should follow a step by step process including water familiarisation, breath control, submersion, floating and propulsion. Adult supervision is always required when in and around the water. To learn all about how to teach swimming to babies visit my website and get my online program at https://babyswim.info