As parents, we want to ensure our babies are safe and comfortable in every new experience—especially when it comes to water. One common question that arises is, “How do I teach my baby to close their eyes underwater?” Before diving into that, it’s important to understand that it is perfectly safe for water to get in your baby’s eyes.

Just like adults, babies’ eyes are designed to handle water. Think about how we wash out our eyes in science class when exposed to chemicals—water is safe for our eyes! So, if your baby keeps their eyes open underwater, there’s no need to worry.

When To Start Using Goggles?

At watermellow, we recommend avoiding the use of goggles until your baby is at least 2 years old. We have a whole blog post dedicated to this topic, but the main idea is simple: allowing babies to experience water on their face and in their eyes is a natural and essential part of learning to swim. By experiencing water in their eyes, babies learn to blink and clear their vision naturally, which is an important skill that will help them handle splashes and underwater experiences without discomfort or panic.

This early exposure encourages confidence and comfort in the water. Babies who are accustomed to water in their eyes tend to become more self-assured swimmers, and this can make their transition to swimming without support much smoother in the future.

Water + Tears

It’s completely natural for babies to feel uncomfortable when water gets in their eyes. After all, even as adults, getting splashed in the face can be a bit unpleasant! Babies will sometimes fuss, and that’s okay. The only way to help them learn to close their eyes underwater is to let them experience water in their eyes. This teaches their bodies to adapt and develop the reflex of blinking or closing their eyes in response.

Balancing With and Without Goggles

If your baby is particularly fussy about water in their eyes, you can try alternating between swimming with and without goggles. This helps them develop muscle memory while giving them some relief when needed. Remember, the goal is to let your baby practice and get comfortable with water on their face, so don’t rush the process.

What to Do if Your Baby Complains About Eye Discomfort

If your baby does experience some discomfort or irritation from the water…

Rinse their eyes with a warm, wet cloth after swimming to remove any lingering chlorine or debris.
Lubricating eye drops can also provide relief if your baby’s eyes feel dry or irritated after swimming. These drops help to maintain eye moisture and soothe mild irritation.

Practice This Skill

At watermellow Swim School, we help parents teach babies to get comfortable in the water—eyes open or closed! Our approach ensures that your baby can develop these critical reflexes naturally and safely in a fun, nurturing environment. So, whether you’re practicing at home in the bathtub or joining one of our online lessons, you can feel confident that your baby will learn to manage water on their face with ease.

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