Infant reflexes related to swimming

A reflex is an automated response to a stimulus, and can be split (basically) into 2 categories: primitive and postural: a primitive reflex is an involuntary reflex that has developed in uterus and is essential to the babies’ survival in first weeks of life.  Reflexes are important when learning to swim, especially in baby swimming many practices rely on these first reflexes. The job of a baby swimming instructor is to aim to turn them from involuntary to learnt voluntary actions. As they are gradually controlled by different parts of the brain they turn into a postural reflex which is automatic responses that usually develop and last over a life time. These infant reflexes are the following:

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What babies can learn according to their age

The purpose of this post is to provide you with a broad idea of the potential that exists at various ages of baby swimmers. The following list is intended to reflect the skills and abilities of children with long term swimming experience who swim with ease and confidence.  Many factors weigh into a child's progress, such as comfort, experience, confidence, and frequency of practice, motivation, innate abilities and the attitude of the parents. Beginners entering a program would need to start with water adjustment and gradually acquire new skills in a sequential learning progression, regardless of age. For example, a 3 year old new to swimming would start with the first level of skills.

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Babies swimming underwater

Watch two videos I found in youtube with babies diving and swimming underwater. Babies (and their instructors) rely on ‘gag’ reflex to keep them safe from drowning.  This early reflex is a contraction or spasm of the glottis and the epiglottis evoked by something touching the soft palate thus allowing only something to be swallowed, helping prevent choking.  In baby swimming babies and instructors rely on this reflex a great deal until the baby can learn to hold their breath or close their mouth when submerging their face.

Enjoy!!!

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