As parents, it’s natural to worry about the safety of your little ones, especially when it comes to the water. One concern we hear a lot at watermellow during initial conversations with new parents is the fear of “dry drowning.” This term can evoke anxiety, causing parents to shy away from submerging their babies in water. In this blog post, we’ll break down what “dry drowning” actually is, clear up common misconceptions, and help ease your fears so you can confidently teach your baby to swim.

What Is “Dry Drowning”?

First and foremost, “dry drowning” is not a medical term, but a term created and circulated through media. Dry drowning refers to laryngospasm, a rare condition that causes the vocal cords to spasm and close off the airway, making breathing difficult, and does not necessarily require water or submersion to occur. That said, this can happen after a near-drowning experience (when a child has been underwater and unable to breathe for a significant period of time), and symptoms can appear after leaving the water. It’s important to emphasize that laryngospasm or “dry drowning” is extremely uncommon, but because it sounds so frightening and is often associated with drowning, the fear of it often looms large in parents’ minds.

Signs of Laryngospasm include:

Difficulty breathing
Changes in behaviour
Extreme fatigue
Persistent coughing

“Dry drowning” or “Secondary Drowning” are terms coined by the media and considered misnomers by the medical community and its organizations. These same organizations have been quite vocal about the need to cease the use of such terms that create fear and confusion in the public and serve no educational or medical purpose at all.

— National Drowning Prevention Alliance

While the fear of “dry drowning” often dominates the conversation, it’s essential to shift the focus to real drowning prevention, which is far more common and, importantly, preventable. Teaching your child to swim from an early age is one of the most effective ways to protect them in and around water. At watermellow, we emphasize skills like breath control, submersion readiness, and safe water practices, which equip children to handle water confidently and calmly. By focusing on building your child’s swimming abilities, you’re addressing the real risks and ensuring they have the tools to stay safe in the water.

Common Misconceptions About “Dry Drowning”

Many parents become apprehensive about submersion activities with their babies because they hear alarming stories about “dry drowning”. The idea of something happening hours after a swim can create anxiety and cause hesitation when it comes to introducing their babies to the water.

Here are a few common misconceptions:

Misconception 1: “Submerging your baby increases the risk of dry drowning.”

As mentioned previously, laryngospasm, commonly referred to as “dry drowning” is a rare medical condition and isn’t caused by normal water activities or intentional submersions.

Misconception 2: “If a baby coughs or sputters after being submerged, they are in danger.”

It’s normal for babies to cough after water exposure. The body’s natural reaction is to clear the airway, and this doesn’t mean your child is at risk of dry drowning. It actually means their body is reacting normally to water getting in their mouth, which is a good thing!

Misconception 3: “Dry drowning is a common occurrence.”

While media stories or some parenting books have highlighted this condition, it’s incredibly rare.

The fear of dry drowning has unfortunately led many parents to avoid submerging their babies at all, which can hinder their child’s confidence and ability to swim. Our goal at watermellow is to remove this fear and empower you to teach your child safe water practices.

Addressing the Fear: How to Safely Introduce Submersion

Instead of avoiding submersions, it’s important to teach your child how to handle going underwater in a calm and intentional way. Here’s how we recommend approaching it:

1. Prepare Them Before It Happens

At watermellow, we believe in preparing babies and toddlers for underwater experiences before they ever get caught off guard, like in an accidental submersion. By teaching them to go in and out of the water intentionally, they learn to develop control and confidence. This practice helps them understand how to hold their breath and surface safely.

2. Intentional Submersions

Start slow and gentle. Allow your child to feel in control of the process. In our classes, we use progressive techniques that begin with water in the bathtub and gradually lead to comfortable submersion in pools. We help babies learn how to hold their breath and remain calm when going underwater. With proper guidance, submersions become natural and safe, reducing any risk of panic or distress.

3. Mistakes Are Learning Opportunities

We understand that you might worry about doing it “wrong.” But here’s the thing: mistakes are part of learning. If you submerge your baby and they sputter or cough, it’s not a failure—it’s an opportunity to help them build their breath control and confidence. These little learning moments teach babies to manage the water, and over time, they become strong, capable swimmers. Trust that these small “mistakes” are part of their water education, and you’re right their beside them preparing them for safer water experiences in the future.

Calm the Fear, Empower Your Family

We are here to equip you with the tools and knowledge to teach your baby how to swim safely. “Dry drowning” is a rare condition that shouldn’t hold you back from introducing your child to water. With the right preparation, intentional submersions, and a positive mindset, your baby can learn to love and respect the water without fear.

By focusing on safe and thoughtful teaching methods, we can eliminate the anxiety that often comes with misconceptions about “dry drowning”. Let’s help your little one build confidence in the water—so when the time comes, they’ll be ready to swim with joy and assurance.

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Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns. We’re here to support you every step of the way on this wonderful journey!