What are the advantages and disadvantages of swimming for babies?

When a baby swims, the water hits the skin, allowing the baby to perform full-body movements independently in the water, increasing lung capacity and the activity intensity of various joints and muscles, which is helpful for growth and development. However, if water accidentally gets into the ears while swimming, It can also cause otitis media, so there are benefits and drawbacks to baby swimming. The benefits of baby swimming promote the growth of the baby\’s bones. During the swimming process, the baby strengthens the muscle activity of the whole body, especially the muscle activity of the limbs. The baby can easily do things such as sliding the arms, stretching the legs and twisting in the water. Large movements such as waist movements can promote the faster delivery of nutrients and oxygen in the blood to the bones and muscle tissue, promote the increase in growth hormone levels in the body, thereby promoting the growth of bones and accelerating the growth rate of the baby. Improve the baby\’s heart function. Babies who swim regularly can develop their heart muscle, have a strong metabolism, and have a slower and stronger heartbeat than babies of the same age, which prepares them to bear a greater physical load. Promote the development of infant respiratory organs. Infants swimming regularly can improve the function of the respiratory system; due to the pressure of water on the chest corridor, the intercostal muscles are exercised, the ventilation of the alveoli is increased, and the pectoralis major and pectoralis minor muscles are exercised and strengthened due to exercise. . Improve infant immunity. Infants who participate in swimming activities in the early stages rarely suffer from colds because they have been active in the water environment since childhood, which enhances the adaptability of their body temperature regulation function. Breath-holding and diving exercises during swimming further promote the exercise and development of respiratory function, improve the health of the baby, and also improve the immune ability and nervous system function. Promote digestion and absorption When the baby swims, the constant movement of the body and the impact of water waves increase the baby\’s insulin level significantly, thereby increasing gastrointestinal motility, helping food digestion and absorption, thereby increasing appetite and more comprehensive absorption of nutrients. In addition, Swimming also consumes a certain amount of physical energy, so the baby sleeps better after swimming, which is conducive to establishing regular sleep. Improve the sensitivity of sensory cells When a baby swims, under the combined action of water temperature, hydrostatic pressure, buoyancy and water wave impact and other external factors, a series of benign reactions are caused in the skin and joints of the baby\’s body, including the nervous system and endocrine system, strengthening the Stimulation of the baby\’s sensory systems promotes the rapid transmission of comprehensive information such as kinesthetic, taste, hearing, touch, and balance, thereby improving responsiveness and promoting the coordination of various organs to complete various actions. Promote the development of cranial nerves. The cranial nerves are connected to the terminal nerves in various parts of the body. Therefore, when the baby performs free large movements in the water, various movements are directly controlled and regulated by the nervous system, and the activities of muscles and joints are in turn stimulated. Cerebral cortex nerves, thus promoting the rapid development of brain functions and making the brain more responsive to actions. Disadvantages of baby swimming: 1. The baby\’s whole body bones are not fully developed, especially the neck. However, when babies swim, they rely on it to support the weight of the whole body and jump in the water, which may damage the spinal nervous system. 2. Babies exercise a lot when swimming, and water can easily enter their ears, which can easily cause otitis media. Therefore, parents should always keep an eye on them and not leave to prevent their children from choking on the water, from slipping out of the swimming ring, and from having water in their ears.