11 Benefits Of Aquatic Stimulation For Babies

Aquatic stimulation for babies is also known as “neonatal aquaticity”. It is a method that  consists in adapting to water through the use of games, songs and exercises. It is usually adapted for understanding the little one at an early age.

It is very important to clarify that, in the development of this activity, the presence of parents will play the main role. The goal is to  make the baby develop the basic organs of his body. Furthermore, contact with water not only allows you to recognize your “body ego”, but also brings multiple benefits.

Benefits of aquatic stimulation for babies

Strengthen the bond between the mother or father and the baby

The perception of the baby in its first months of life consists in relating one’s body to that of the parents. Starting from this bond, he is able to understand his own body and the characteristics of the surrounding environment.

Sharing the experience in the water  offers safety to the baby, which is particularly important for establishing future interpersonal relationships. Through this practice, family ties are strengthened.

Affection is very important for the development of confidence and self-esteem. This aspect will intensify with each lesson, because the body contact will be constant.

Promotes sensory development

The sensations that the baby experiences in the water allow his system to access the information provided by the environment around him. In other words, a rational elaboration begins in the context of the senses. The activities that develop are verified by the nervous system through the senses,  in order to create sensations and perceptions.

Develop muscles

In this case, by strengthening the muscle tone, balancing, equilibrium and the assumption of the different postures of the body are achieved. This kind of stimulus will help him walk when the time comes.

In the water there is no difficulty in lifting the baby, because the body weight decreases by up to 90%. This characteristic of water  allows movements, postures, games and sensations different  from those that can be done when not immersed in a liquid.

As a result, the baby is able to perform gravity-defying movements, such as jumps and spins. In addition, he can  learn physical notions such as buoyancy, propulsion, displacement, balance,  endurance, etc.

Improve the respiratory system

Immersion in water helps improve respiratory capacity.

Strengthens the immune system

It promotes the strengthening of the defenses against infections, such as those from viruses and bacteria, which can affect the baby.

Promotes psychomotor skills

Aquatic stimulation contributes to the development of motor, expressive and creative skills through the body. It allows you to explore new knowledge and enrich motor experiences. The water allows the baby to expand his possibilities of movement and  makes him able to investigate and discover new activities to develop new skills. Little by little, the baby learns, experiments and interacts with this medium. If he is given a different medium from which to observe, he will continue to broaden his learning and his intellectual development will be stimulated.

Stimulates visual and tactile perception

Many things are different in water. Among these, perception. For this reason, the baby  can experience another kind of sensations and visual patterns while developing his tactile abilities at the same time.

Helps to relax

Aquatic stimulation has relaxing properties. This is true for children as well as for adults. A good bathroom helps us get to sleep.

It is an excellent preparation for swimming

Contact with water at an early age provides the baby with the opportunity to learn to swim. It is very important that children know how to swim, but it  is also an incentive to start a sporting activity.

Increase your appetite

We all know that staying in the water increases our appetite. The same thing happens to babies: when they get out of the water, their appetite will be greater.

Stimulate his conscience

Experimenting with postures and positions through your body allows the baby to strengthen his state of consciousness. In addition, he  will develop concepts such as above, below, outside, inside, forward,  backward, dip, float, start, finish …

Recommendations for initiating aquatic stimulation

• Qualified personnel. It is recommended to place ourselves in the hands of suitable professionals with experience in neonatal aquatics.
• Swimming pools. The pools must be of exclusive use for babies,  whose water has undergone the appropriate treatments. They should preferably be chlorine-free, and those that have undergone salt-based treatments are especially recommended. In addition, the temperature must be between 32 ° and 34 °, to avoid possible damage to the baby’s mucous membrane, skin and eyes.

• Sensitivity. It is recommended to avoid haste or goals to be reached strictly. Every baby needs their time to learn and improve. Each child’s progress will be different, and not everyone will benefit equally. It must be the aquatic program that adapts to the characteristics of the baby; never the other way around.