This post, by Hannah Mayer, made me laugh and cry. We can all relate to her thoughts and feelings about parenting!
http://stlfamilylife.com/2011/11/becoming-a-big-fish-at-little-fishes-swim-school/
Reasons why you should keep your little fishes moving and grooving in the colder months
Written and posted by Lisa Bertrand of Alive Magazine’s ParentingPop
http://www.alivemag.com/blog/index.php/2011/09/just-keep-swimming/
Keep your child’s swimming skills afloat!
Outdoor public pools may be closed for the season, but children still need opportunities to practice the swimming skills they learned in the heat of the summer.
The more time children can practice the new swimming skills they’ve learned, the more successful they’ll be in the water. When kids are not in the pool for an extended period of time, children lose water skills. For each month out of the pool, it takes 1-2 swimming classes to relearn those skills. Children who are cautious or fearful around water may take even longer to relearn a previously taught skill.
This is because motor skills, like swimming, are learned through repetition. It requires patience and supervised time in the pool to become safe and proficient in the water.
It’s especially important to continue to expose toddlers to water. The fear of water often surfaces in the toddler years. If you help your child feel comfortable in and under water, there’s a much greater chance you can prevent water anxiety.
For optimal learning, I recommend year-round swimming lessons. When this isn’t possible, I tell parents take their children to a pool at least once a week because there is a clear correlation between swimming ability and the time spent in the water.
During pool visits, you should encourage your child to practice the skills most recently taught by a swimming instructor. You also need ample time to play and have fun with your kids in the water! Water play teaches children about balance and buoyancy. It also provides kids with the opportunities to experience water on their face learn breath control and put their head underwater on their own terms.
You can never undervalue the importance of learning to swim. Mastering this sport could just save your child’s life.
An Inspiring Mom Interview: Leslie Espowe of Lucky Ducky Baby, LLC
The Wateroo Baby Carrier
One of the best things about being a small business owner is when I get the opportunity to meet other entrepreneurs. I’m always energized by their enthusiasm and inspired by their passions. This was definitely the case recently when I met local mom Leslie Espowe of Lucky Ducky Baby. Leslie is the creator of the WaterRoo, a stretchy, mesh, wrap style baby carrier that can be worn on land and in the water! Seeing as that Leslie and I share a passion for water safety, needless to say we hit it off! I caught up with the busy mom of five for an interview about her business, her kids, and of course, her feelings on water safety!
Q: How did you come up with the idea for the WaterRoo?
A: My husband Kevin and I have five children between the ages of 12 and 18 months. When my youngest was born, I had two babies under two at home—quite a challenge! My husband works late hours and I often found myself near water—be it the shower or our pool—with my two littlest in tow. I wanted a way to feel more secure in those situations, so I came up with a solution that let me carry my newborn hands free in the water while I tended to the other children. I figured if this was something that was useful to me, it could be useful to other moms, too!
Q: How did you parlay your idea into a business?
A: I just went for it! I ordered tons of fabric samples, looking for something that was lightweight, breathable and that dries quickly. I found a winner (a fabric used by a world-famous athletic apparel brand), took a sewing lesson and handmade the first wrap.
Q: Did you have a big break that has led to your success?
A: I was blessed to have won the 2010 Huggies Mom Inspired Award. It came with $15,000 seed money, as well as incredible support and guidance from Kimberly-Clark and my fellow winners. I found out about the contest and thought ‘Why not?!’ I submitted my application on my iPhone in the dark while I was feeding my baby and couldn’t believe when I was notified I had won. It has been an amazing experience! But I couldn’t do it without the support of my wonderful husband and family.
Q: What is your business like today?
A: Starting a business felt pretty natural to me. It’s like parenting—a little overwhelming in the beginning, but it does get easier. I have a sewing contractor who handles production, and I handle all the business stuff and travel.
Q: As a mom, a wife and a business owner, how do you find time to do it all well?
A: My life seems like kids, kids and more kids. I focus on them most of the time. I get some work done during the day if they nap, but I tend to work mostly in the evenings. My husband and I get up very early to spend time together—we watch the news, have our coffee and start the day.
Q: At Little Fishes, water safety is our life’s work. How important has it been your family, considering you have a pool and five children?
A: Water safety is a big concern of mine. I was always in the water when I was young, but found myself scared to let my own children get in the water. My oldest two didn’t become good swimmers until they were 5 and 7. By the time my third came, I knew how important it is to get them started and used to the water at an early age. My younger children have been in the pool or in the shower with me since birth.
Q: What is next for your business?
A: I’m hoping to increase WaterRoo sales, and to get into stores. I have more products in mind already, too. But I’m working on one at a time for now!
For more info on WaterRoo, or to order: http://www.luckyduckybaby.com/wateroo.html
How to Nurture Your Baby’s Love of Water
When parents nurture their baby’s love of water, babies grow up to be safer in the water, and they learn to swim earlier. Early exposure will benefit your child throughout his or her life and will help your child avoid a fear of water. Early water play builds the foundation for swimming, a healthy fun activity and a skill that can save a life. Why Water Play is Good for Babies
Water play is a developmentally appropriate activity that you and your baby can enjoy together. There are numerous benefits to playing in the water with your baby. Here are a few:
- It’s been proven that warm water and gentle exercise can help your baby sleep and can stimulate your baby’s appetite.
- Babies are also more relaxed in water, and it’s a fun environment for babies to develop strength, to exercise, and to explore balance and buoyancy.
- Babies are well adapted to swimming and are born with a “swimming reflex.” When placed on their tummies in warm water, babies will move their arms and legs in a swimming motion. By encouraging this, you can help baby transfer these involuntary movements into coordinated swimming movements.
- Water play is a multi-sensory activity. Babies use all of their senses to explore water: sight, sound, touch. They also engage their sense of balance and muscular movements and pressure.
- Your baby’s brain is developing rapidly. When you expose your baby to water environments, your baby is more likely to have successful water experiences in the future.
How to Introduce Young Babies to Water
Avoid fear. Many children come to Little Fishes Swim School with a fear of the water. They’re hesitant around our pool and they’re nervous, sometimes terrified, of putting their faces in the water. Babies are not born afraid of water. Fear can develop if infants and young children are not exposed to water or if parents teach their kids to be afraid of the water.
Make water play fun. When playing in water or bathing your baby, keep your attitude relaxed and happy. Babies can sense stress from your facial expressions, body posture and tension, and your voice. Babies will respond to these nonverbal cues. Take a deep breath and relax. Sing some songs and be playful with your baby in the water. This will help your baby associate water with positive things. If baby cries in the bath, comfort your baby and try again another day. But don’t give up! Consistency and repetition is the key to developing comfort with a new skill.
Create a comfortable environment. Play in clean, clear water. Soap and chemicals will irritate your baby’s eyes. Make sure the water is warm (82-92 degrees), so your baby can relax and feel comfortable. Support your baby’s head and neck so his or her spine is in alignment. Remember that when you are close by to assist, accidental submersion will not harm your baby.
Help you baby build confidence in the water.
Splish-Splash. Help your baby build comfort and confidence in the water by dripping water on his or her face (Drip How To). Help your baby anticipate the water by saying, “I… 2… 3… drip” or by singing a verse of a song right before you drip. Babies might be startled when you squeeze a washcloth or sponge near their faces, but if baby shows signs of distress, distract the baby with a toy or song. As your baby gets used to water, increase the amount of water dripped and gradually introduce splashing. Babies love to splash, and it provides yet another opportunity to increase their comfort level in the water.
Floating. Once baby is comfortable being wet, especially around his or her face and head, jump in the bathtub with baby! To expose your baby to the feeling of buoyancy, hold baby lying on his or her back, face up. With your thumbs on top of baby’s shoulders and your fingertips underneath their torso, encourage them to look up at you and
Hand Position for Back Float
stretch out. Their head should be tilted back so their ears are partially submerged. (Newborn Float) This will provide additional sensory stimulation and the unique sensations of moving and balancing in water. Swish your baby to and fro (be sure to support baby’s head, especially if he or she is younger than 4 months old). If your baby goes underwater it’s OK. Remember, brief submersion will not harm your baby. Repeated swallowing, chocking or coughing can, so if your baby is swallowing water, stop the activity.
Additional water fun. Once your baby is comfortable floating, try side-swishing. Turn baby so his or her ear is in the water, but continue to cradle baby’s head. You can also try tummy time in the water. Watch baby track an object, then reach and grab for a colorful bath toy. Play peek-a-boo by putting your own face in the water to “hide.” You can also practice kicking. Sit baby on your lap facing away from you, hold his or her legs and move them in a kicking motion while saying, “Kick, kick, kick!” Once your baby is comfortable with splashing and playing in the tub, take your child into the shower with you. Your baby will learn to hold his or her breath as water hits her head. Again, start slowly. Let water splash over baby’s back, then over the back of the head, then baby’s head and finally baby’s face. Proceed only once your baby is comfortable with the previous step and not coughing or swallowing water.
Hit the pool! By doing these activities with your baby, you’re helping him or her make a smooth transition to a pool. At 6 months, enroll your baby in a Little Fishes Swim School – Water Babies class. You will learn water acclimation techniques and other skills to help your child continue to thrive in the water.
Please remember that no child is ever drown-proof. Never leave a child unattended near any amount of water.
Ladies Night Out at Little Fishes
Spend your ladies night out in our tropical environment! Nicole Plegge blogs about some fun, unique party options (including Little Fishes) for St Louis Kids Magazine.
http://www.stlouiskidsmagazine.com/story/oh-yes-its-ladies-night
Why St. Louis attorney Zane Cagle thinks now is the time to get your little one in the water
If you’ve visited our blog before, then you know how passionate we are about water safety, proper swim instruction, and nurturing a life-long love of the water for babies and children. But we’re not the only ones who recognize the importance of providing your child with swimming skills. Check out the link below and read why St. Louis attorney Zane Cagle thinks now is the time to get your little one in the water!
Interview in World Aquatic Babies & Children Network
The World Aquatic Babies and Children Network is the world’s premiere authority on infant and child swimming, with educators in over 30 countries.
Little Fishes Graduate Competes
Gwen ready to go
Super Swimmer!
Gwen, a Little Fishes graduate, competed in her first swim meet last weekend! She joined the Flyers Aquatic Swim Team (FAST) after choosing swimming over all other activities.
Gwen’s mom said, “She has 3 hour long practices every week and SHE LOVES IT!!! It all started with you and Little Fishes getter her not to be afraid of the water. WE cannot thank you enough.”
Congrats Gwen…we are very proud of you and thrilled you shared your news!
