Last updated 27/12/2023 by The pain clinics - Interdisciplinary Health

Baby swimming - closeness, security, coziness and interaction

Posted by: Brit Laila Hole, Nurse. Practices massage therapy and courses in baby swimming, baby massage and mother & child training at Hinna Physiotherapy.

Baby swimming is a fantastic, gentle form of exercise for both motor and sensory development for the little ones. Baby swimming also promotes social behavior, as well as the relationship of the little one to the mother and father.

Hinna Physiotherapy is proud to offer baby and toddler swimming in 3 different hot water pools at Jæren. At our courses, the participants get a great experience with the kids in the water. We see that baby swimming has a positive impact on both motor development and stimulation of the senses of the baby. We create a cozy atmosphere in the water where we meet every participant and baby on their terms. Baby swimming should be nice and we don't want to force the little ones to do something they are not ready for. Therefore, e.g. diving something we practice for a while before the kids dive underwater. The baby's signals are interpreted with respect and they get to spend the time they need to get used to the water. This is done by common songs and repeated use of instruction / say the same every time we practice eg. diving. The kids love to hear their parents' voices. In the form of song, they become completely engrossed in what's going on. Baby swimming contributes to good close contact with mother and father. The children also get a social experience where they greet the other children in various toys. Thus, they experience interaction with each other.

- Mastery in the water

A big advantage of baby swimming is clearly that the children experience more mastery in water than on land. It is also important to mention that they get respect for water naturally through baby swimming. Participants learn how to support / help the baby in the water as much as possible, so that the baby can train as independently as possible. When diving, parents learn how to proceed both in terms of grip, what to say each time and how to pour water over the child's head. Then the children learn to get used to getting water over their heads, so they learn to gradually get ready and even hold their breath. Baby swimming is a great way to maintain your child's natural enjoyment of water that can help prevent water spills and negative water experiences later in life.

Sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch, joint muscles and the labyrinth sense are activated when the child is in water. The child moves more easily and actively participates in the water for the first 25-30 minutes. If the hour lasts longer, the little ones can become overstimulated and cold. All our groups last a maximum of 30 min. everytime. The buoyancy, resistance and pressure of the water help to challenge the baby's motor skills as it moves in the water. In other words, baby swimming is a fun activity for both children and adults. It strengthens the interaction between parents and children, at the same time as it is stimulating and good for the child.

- Courses for mother and child

Hinna Physiotherapy also offers several other courses that are suitable for mother and child. We offer training groups that Mother and child training og pregnant Fitness. These courses are well adapted for proper and gentle exercise throughout pregnancy and in the time after birth. Infant massage is a cozy way to get to know the little one. Here the parents learn to massage the child from head to toe. In addition, we have CPR on infants, colic massage and various yoga features for babies. Colic massage is a useful technique that parents can do even when the child is bothered by colic / abdominal pain. The techniques have a very good effect on abdominal / air pain. Through baby massage, bonds are also established between mother and child. The children communicate through sight, smell, taste and small talk and all these senses are stimulated during baby massage. The children get to know their own body, and this is relaxing, soothing and good for the little body. Five words that describe baby massage are closeness, cuddle, stimulation, play and communication.

We can also mention that Hinna Physiotherapy has been a leader in providing physiotherapy to the corporate market since its inception in 2000. All of our therapists have trained in needle therapy and ergonomics. In addition, all the physiotherapists have courses in slightly different directions within treatment. Our team consists of eight physiotherapists and a masseur. We treat both at clinic and in companies.

- Written by British Laila Hole v/ Hinna Physiotherapy

- Also read: Why did I have so much back pain after pregnancy?