How to get ur baby scared ferr of water?

Question

my 8 month old loves the bath and swimming pool, my partner said to dunk him under the water a few times because it will give him confidence when he learns to swim, but i totally disagree because im absuletly petrified of the water and wont allow it, my partner said that me being scared will only rub off on are son, wot do u think?

Answer 1

I wouldn't say to "dunk" your baby under the water. But when infants are at swimming classes the instructor will blow in the baby's face and then put their face under the water for just a second. Blowing in their face makes them take a breath so they won't breathe in any water. But I would suggest getting them used to the water so they won't be afraid of learning to swim.

Good Luck!

Answer 2

When I was two, my mum took me to swimming lessons and the instructor dunked me under when I wasn't ready. As a result, I hate swimming. I could probably swim to save my life but swimming is not something I enjoy and I am not a very strong swimmer. My son is 7 months and as soon as the weather gets warmer (its winter here in australia) im going to enrol my son in lessons and *hopefully* his dad will take him! Also, as a kid, my grandma lived on a river and used to freak out if I went in past my ankles and pull me out. I now hate rivers and the ocean and my rule is if i cant see the bottom, i dont go in. I live in a beach town and I hate the fact that i dont enjoy the beach. My husband loves to surf which only makes it worse. Im going to make sure my son is a beach baby so he can enjoy the beautiful beaches in our area.  

Answer 3

Don't do it.  My little brother was fine with water until he was a bout a year, because then my older brother dunked him to get the shampoo oout of his hair and he was scared for years to go swimming or put his head under the water

Answer 4

I agree with desi about the blowing/dunk routine!  I've done it with my daughter and she's always loved the water!!  :)  She now runs in on her own, tries to swim by herself, and blows bubbles/dunks herself.  SO cute.

Your partner is right about your negative emotions rubbing off on your baby.  I'd suggest some gentle mommy and me classes, and maybe even some adult beginner swim courses.  

Answer 5

Well, it sounds like your partner needs to be dunked a few times in the water!  The way to avoid a fear of water is to start now.  We have 2 kids.  We never took the oldest swimming, she freaks out a little.  The youngest has been in the pool since she was 6 months and loves it.  

As far as your fear rubbing off, that is true.  You sound like you could use some swimming lessons maybe.  Look for an adult class so you can become confident as well.  

My sister-in-law is terrified of dogs and freaks out when she is near one.  All 3 of her boys do the same.

Answer 6

Do not dunk your child underwater - that is stupid and a really good way to make him scared of you, not the water.  It's good that your child isn't scared of water.  You being scared may rub off on your child - he will see you too afraid to go for a swim and think that there is something to be afraid of, when there really isn't.

You really need to get over your phobia - take some beginners lessons and learn a bit of water safety.  There is nothing to be afraid of.  Maybe do some baby swim classes with your son - you won't have to put your head under water and it will teach you some basic safety.  It really is best to teach your child to swim and about water safety early in life - it's the kids that can't swim and panic in the water that often drown.

Answer 7

"Dunking" him under the water is likely to scare him, and possibly make him not trust you in the water.  Trained instructors use a technique that another answerer described already, but there is a lot more that they do also, to teach babies how to swim from a very early age.  As far as your being scared, and rubbing off, it probably will happen if you let your fears show while in the water.  Actually, babies can even sense when their mothers are tense or nervous.  So try to be relaxed in the water with him.  I've learned that babies, when they're learning to walk, and they fall down, if you say "Oh" and gasp, and get scared, they will cry and become scared also (whether it actually hurt them or not).  But if you simply say in a cheerful tone "Uh oh, you're ok", the baby will go on like nothing happened at all.  So definitely be wary of your presence with him in the water.  I would let him go at his own pace.  Try letting him float, with as little of his body in your hands as possible.  It's hard to describe, but hold him out from your body, and let the water support most of his weight.  Summer after summer, by the time he's old enough to actually swim, he'll be fine.  Swimming lessons for both of you wouldn't be a bad idea either.

Answer 8

Well I have seen them do it in swimming lessons for babies...but those are trained instructors...I wouldnt do it...I splash water gently in my babies face so she doesnt hate splashing....why nt get swimming lessons for the baby if your partner is concerned about swimming skills.

Answer 9

If he isnt scare of water and around a year old your supposed to blow on there face and it causes them to take a breath and you dunk them thats how my mom did it to us and most people i know.

Answer 10

It's great that your baby loves the bath and swimming pool.  It's important that he learn to swim-not just for pleasure and exercise, but also for safety.  Blowing bubbles is an easy way to get toddlers to put at least part of their face in the water.  Some kids aren't worried about dunking all the way in, others are a bit more cautious.  

I also agree that your fear will rub off and that's not good.  There are lots of mom/dad and baby swimming classes around and I'd look for one. If you don't feel able to take your wee boy, then let your partner.  I understand that you're afraid, but your partner is right about needing to help your baby in the water.  If he sees your partner with his face in the water, blowing bubbles and having lots of fun-it'll be good!

Dunking does work, but I'd let that happen in a class-that way you'll feel more secure that it's being done well.  

And if you're able to take an adult swim class, that would be an extra bonus!  Swimming and swimming pools are great for families, but if you aren't really able to manage the water, still let you're partner share the water with the baby!