Should My Baby Be Using Swim Googles?
We understand the importance of equipping your child with the right tools for a successful swimming journey. Something we often advocate for is making your baby feel the most comfortable in the water. We have a full blog post about what to dress your baby in when they are swimming (linked here). That said, another essential piece of equipment is swim goggles. However, it’s important to recognize that different age groups require different considerations when it comes to using swim goggles.
What Age Should Babies Start Using Goggles?
For children under the age of 2, it is generally advised to avoid using swim goggles. At this age, it’s crucial for babies to get used to the natural sensations of being in the water. Feeling water on their face and in their eyes is a part of their sensory development. Introducing goggles too early can interfere with this important process. Babies need to become comfortable with these sensations, which helps them develop a natural ease and familiarity with the aquatic environment.
Allowing babies to experience water in their eyes helps them learn how to blink and clear their eyes naturally. This is an important skill for all swimmers, as it teaches them how to handle water splashing on their face without discomfort or panic. By not using goggles, babies can develop these reflexes early, making them more confident and comfortable swimmers in the long run.
However, if your baby shows clear irritation to water in their eyes—such as rubbing their eyes every time water touches their face—it might be a good idea to introduce goggles earlier than 2. In these cases, goggles can help alleviate discomfort and make the water experience more enjoyable for your baby. That being said, we recommend practicing without goggles periodically to ensure they don’t develop too much reliance on them. This balance helps maintain their ability to handle water on their face naturally.
Our online swim classes goal is to make sure your baby feels comfortable and confident in the water. Our classes are designed to gradually introduce your child to the aquatic environment, using engaging and gentle methods. By focusing on these foundational experiences, we ensure that when the time comes to introduce goggles, your child is already a confident and capable little swimmer.
By waiting to introduce swim goggles, you’re setting the stage for a positive and confident swimming journey for your child. When they are ready, goggles will become a useful tool that enhances their swimming experience without being a crutch. Now, let’s chat about the benefits to swim goggles!
The Benefits of Swim Goggles
Once your child is over the age of 2, swim goggles can become a valuable asset in their swimming toolkit. Here’s how swim goggles can enhance their swimming experience:
1. Eye Protection
Swim goggles provide essential eye protection from irritants like chlorine and saltwater. These substances can cause discomfort and potential damage to the eyes. By wearing goggles, children can focus more on their swimming technique without the distraction of stinging eyes. This enhances their overall learning experience, allowing them to practice and improve more effectively.
2. Increased Confidence
Goggles offer clear vision underwater, which significantly boosts a child’s confidence and sense of security in the water. With improved visibility, children can explore their surroundings and practice swimming skills with greater ease. This leads to increased self-assurance and enjoyment during lessons, as they feel more in control and less anxious about the aquatic environment.
3. Enhanced Learning
The clear vision provided by swim goggles allows children to observe their surroundings and others more effectively. This clear view is crucial for understanding and executing swimming techniques accurately. By enabling a better understanding of underwater obstacles and activities, goggles facilitate faster progress in swimming lessons, helping children learn and master skills more quickly.
Swim goggles are a powerful tool for enhancing your child’s swimming experience, particularly once they are over the age of 2. At watermellow, we emphasize the importance of building comfort and confidence in the water before introducing goggles. When the time is right, goggles can provide eye protection, boost confidence, and enhance learning, all of which contribute to a more enjoyable and effective swimming journey.
It’s also important to note that some children may not like how tight goggles feel on their face. If your child doesn’t take to goggles right away, be patient and introduce them gradually. Some kids, even up to the age of 5, may find goggles uncomfortable or simply prefer not to use them. Remember, goggles are totally optional and can be introduced around the age of 2 if needed, but it’s perfectly fine if your child prefers swimming without them.
Here is a link to our favourite swim goggles for your convenience!
If you’re ready to start your child’s swimming adventure with us, explore our online classes and discover how we can help your little one become a confident and skilled swimmer!
meet kaylee kennedy
I'm Kaylee Kennedy, the founder of watermellow.
Our renowned swimming program nurtures and develops each baby's unique abilities.
Inspired by my experience as a young mom teaching my little one to swim, I'm passionate about swimming and its benefits for early childhood development.
Join us at watermellow to help your baby grow an amazing relationship with the water in a safe and supportive environment, creating lasting memories together.
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