Not only can you take your baby swimming if they have Eczema, there are plenty of reasons why you should. Swimming can be good for babies, but for a baby with Eczema, it can offer some very real long and short-term health benefits!
Water Babies
Babies are often born with an affinity for water, although it’s not true that they have an instinctive ability to swim. It’s only our own fear that holds some of us back from bringing our babies into the swimming pool with eczema and letting them show us what they’re capable of. Studies have shown that children who learn to swim at an early age show advanced development in:
- motor skills
- reaction time (better reflexes)
- ability to concentrate
- intelligence
- social skills
- self-confidence and independence
- the ability to adjust to new or unfamiliar circumstances
That last one’s an especially important finding since the ability to adjust to the new and the unfamiliar is something that every human being needs in order to navigate through life. Other studies have also shown that children who start swimming as babies also benefit through:
- better balance
- better fine motor skills
- better endurance
This suggests that taking your baby swimming with you and teaching them to swim is something every new parent should seriously consider as a great way to have fun with their baby while improving several aspects of their growth and development at the same time.
How Swimming Can Help Your Baby’s Eczema
Eczema is an uncomfortable skin condition and you do everything you can to make your baby more comfortable, but beyond the itching and irritation, Eczema also has some fairly serious health implications such as bacterial infections and asthma. Swimming in a pool can help reduce the incidence of both conditions. It strengthens both heart and lungs and the combination of pool chemicals and the coolness of the water can help calm their skin. The exercise swimming provides can also help your baby to sleep better, and sleep issues can be a problem when dealing with itchy, irritated skin.
How to Approach Swimming Lessons
- Look for a pool with water that’s on the cooler side, which will be soothing to baby’s itchy skin. Moisturise their skin well both before swimming and after their post-swim shower or bath. This will help keep your baby’s skin for drying out which can aggravate Eczema.
- Discourage scratching in the pool by distracting your baby with pool toys and consider a baby eczema “wetsuit” or eczema swimming suit with arms for additional cover.
- Seek out lessons that are specifically for babies with a staff that take a gentle approach to learning.
Above all, have fun with your baby and feel confident in the knowledge that you’re helping give them a “leg-up” in his growing-up adventure!
A Natural Approach to Caring for Baby’s Eczema
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Contact us today for more information about our award-winning, itch-relieving creams, soap-free cleansing bars, shampoos, lotions and more.