Baby Swimming on the tummy
The child is gently rotated from the underarm grip onto their stomach. The child’s upper body rests on the parent’s forearm, while the free hand is used to support the head. The child is slightly tilted forward using the forearm. From this position, rotate slowly in small circles a few times. This exercise helps the child get accustomed to the belly-down position in the water.
Preparatory exercises
Distraction with a toy
Use a toy to distract the child during the roll onto their stomach, shifting their focus from the parent to the toy so they stay calm during the brief moment without eye contact. Use toys only initially — eventually the child should manage the roll without any distraction.
Water basket
From the armpit grip, tilt the child slightly toward your weaker hand, release your strong hand and place it under the child's chest. Once balanced, place the weaker hand under the chest as well. Hold this grip and walk 3-5 meters backward, keeping eye contact at all times. The child assumes the prone position while constant eye contact keeps them comfortable — best suited for infants under one year.
Slight tilting
The child is held in the armpit grip and gently tilted to one side, then to the other. Gradually, over several attempts, the tilting angle should increase until it reaches 45 degrees. In the core exercise, the child leaves the vertical position in the water, which is a new experience and should be properly prepared for. This exercise helps the baby slowly get accustomed to the inclined position.
Armpit grip with interrupted eye contact
Hold your child in the armpit grip and create a positive mood. Then have another person hold a kickboard between you and the child to interrupt eye contact — first for one or two seconds, gradually longer, spread occasionally over several swimming sessions. In the core exercise Carousel, the child briefly cannot see the parent despite constant physical contact; this preparation gets them used to that short separation.
