Helping Your Baby Feel Comfortable with Water on Their Face
Water on the face is often of the biggest hurdles for many babies (and their parents!) when it comes to early swim lessons. It’s a natural reflex for babies to blink, turn away, or even get upset when water splashes on their face. But with gentle guidance and positive experiences, you can help your little one feel safe and confident in the water.
We believe in a nurturing, gradual approach—starting right in the bathtub! Here’s how you can gently introduce your baby to water on their face and why it’s such an important skill for their development.
Why This Skill Matters
Helping babies get used to water on their face isn’t just about swimming—it’s about building resilience. When babies learn to tolerate small discomforts in a safe and loving way, they develop important life skills:
✔ Confidence in water – Babies who are comfortable with water on their face tend to adapt better to swimming.
✔ Emotional resilience – Learning to work through discomfort in a supportive environment builds problem-solving skills.
✔ Everyday benefits – This skill helps with things like rinsing shampoo, brushing teeth, and even trying new foods!
The more exposure babies have to water on their face in a gentle, positive way, the more adaptable they become—not just in swimming, but in many aspects of life.
1. Start in the Bath
The bathtub is your baby’s first swim lesson! Use this safe, familiar space to introduce gentle water exposure:
✔ Drip water down their head – Use a small cup or your hands to trickle water over their forehead and cheeks. Always keep eye contact and use a reassuring tone.
✔ Let them control the experience – Offer a wet washcloth for them to play with and bring to their face. Babies love imitating, so show them how you wipe your own face!
✔ Make it fun – Sing songs, smile, and laugh to create positive associations.
2. Encourage Gentle Face Dips
Instead of blowing bubbles (which can confuse babies about breath control), we recommend gradually introducing them to dipping their face in the water:
✔ Start with just the lips – While holding your baby securely, let their lips lightly touch the water before lifting them back up.
✔ Progress to the nose and cheeks – Once they’re comfortable, let their nose and cheeks touch the water for a brief moment.
✔ Always stay calm and positive – Your reaction sets the tone. Celebrate their effort, even if it’s just a quick touch!
3. Play with Gentle Splashes
Instead of sudden, unexpected splashes, introduce water play gradually:
✔ Pat the water together – Show them how their hands can make little ripples.
✔ Use bath toys – Pouring water from cups over hands, arms, and eventually their head makes water movement feel normal.
✔ Make a game out of it – Try peek-a-boo with a wet washcloth over their eyes.
4. Try a “Waterfall Kiss”
This is a great bonding trick!
✔ Hold your baby close, kiss the top of their head, and let a tiny bit of water drip from your mouth onto their forehead.
✔ It’s a gentle way to introduce the feeling of water on their face without overwhelming them.
✔ Smile and talk to them so they associate it with love and comfort.
5. Don’t Take Them Out When They Cry
Most babies will cry at some point when they experience water on their face—it’s normal! But instead of immediately taking them out, try to stay calm, hold them close, and reassure them.
✔ Why? Because if they always get removed from the water when they cry, they’ll associate water with distress.
✔ What to do instead? Offer comfort, stay present, and let them work through it. Sometimes a few seconds of crying turns into giggles when they realize they’re safe!
✔ Think of it as exposure therapy—done gently. The more babies experience water on their face in a loving environment, the easier it will be in the future.
This skill helps them in other areas of life, too! It builds their ability to get through uncomfortable but necessary experiences—like brushing their teeth, trying new foods, or learning new things.
6. Introduce Small, Predictable Submersions
Once your baby is comfortable with water on their face, you can start preparing for little underwater moments.
✔ Use a verbal cue – Before gently pouring water over their head, say, “1, 2, 3, take a breath!” This helps them anticipate the feeling.
✔ Keep it brief and positive – A quick dip of their chin or a gentle pour over their head builds confidence without stress.
✔ Follow their cues – If they seem unsure, slow down and go back to simpler steps.
Patience and Consistency Are Key
Some babies love water right away, while others take time to adjust. The key is to stay consistent, keep it playful, and never rush the process. Every small step builds confidence, both in the water and in life.
In our lessons, we guide parents step by step to make water time a fun and bonding experience for both you and your baby. Keep practicing, and soon enough, your little one will be splashing, smiling, and ready for their first swim!
Want more tips? Check out our online lessons and learn how to teach your baby to swim—from the bathtub to the pool! 💦
