As a new parent there are many safety precautions we need to be aware of to keep baby safe, and understanding the steps you can take to prevent drowning is essential. We’ve covered all the key safety tips when it comes to water safety advice in this blog, using information from official sources such as American Academy of Pediatrics and Water Safety USA. Knowing this information as a new parent is crucial, so let’s get into it.
Baby water safety checklist
First off the essentials: how can I keep my baby safe around water? Here is your ultimate safety checklist as a new parent:
- Baby proof any water features in your home: make sure any pool, pond, water feature, well, hot tub or any feature in your backyard that contains water is gated/ fenced/ locked, drained or baby is supervised near at all times. For more information on how to secure a pool in your backyard, check out this guide from the AAP.
- Restrict access to your neighbor’s backyard: if your neighbor has any of the above in their backyard, make sure your little one cannot gain access to their backyard.
- Access to water at other people’s homes: if your family and friends who you visit often have any of the above at their home, always supervise your child in that person’s home.
- Learn CPR: know the signs of drowning and first aid advice, including CPR.
- Don’t underestimate safety: babies can drown in as little as 1 or 2 inches of water so don’t underestimate their safety around water. Inflatable pools can still be a drowning hazard even with a couple of inches of water in it.
- Know safe bathing practices: make sure you understand safety advice when it comes to bathing your little one. Baths are the most common places for babies and toddlers to drown. Babies should never be unsupervised in the bath, not even for a second.
- Always adult supervision: other children should never be given the responsibility to supervise babies or toddlers in water in place of an adult.
Safe bath time tips
When it comes to bath time it can be a lovely way to bond with your baby, get them used to positive interactions with water and calm them before bedtime. So here are some helpful tips to keep baby safe in the bath:
- Gather your essentials: before you put baby in the bath, gather all the items you will need in the bathroom so you don’t need to leave baby at any point; diaper, pajamas, towel, hairbrush, diaper rash cream, lotion.
- Water temperature: bath water should be at body temperature, you can check this by dipping your wrist or elbow into the water.
- Adult supervision at all times: never leave a baby unattended in the bath or able to climb into a bath of water unsupervised. Other siblings and children are also not a substitution for adult supervision. If the phone rings or someone knocks at the door, get baby out the bath and take them with you.
- Avoid bath seats: bath seats aren’t recommended by experts as they can give a false sense of security. If you choose to use one you must supervise your baby at all times.
- Non-slip bath mat: as baby gets more confident and is experimenting with standing up, you might want to consider a non-slip bath tub mat.
Safe water play for babies
Water play is such a sensory delight for little babies and during summer months, there are many ways to engage baby in safe water play.
- Water sensory play: water sensory trays, sprinklers and water tables are great ways for baby to enjoy water play in the summertime. Always supervise when they play with water.
- Beach: babies can wander off and find shallow pools of water on the beach, so always supervise and pay attention to them - don’t allow yourself to become distracted on your phone or in conversation. The sea current can easily knock baby over if paddling along the edge, so keep a tight hold of them so they don’t get swept into the water.
- Inflatable pools: remember babies can drown in as little as 1 or 2 inches of water, so always supervise baby in an inflatable pool and don’t ask other children to supervise in your place. Once baby has finished playing in the inflatable pool, drain the water and tip the pool upside down so no rainfall can collect.
Baby pool safety tips
You might be surprised to know that babies can enjoy swimming and start lessons before they can walk. There are many benefits of swimming for little ones. Here are some baby pool safety tips to keep in mind when visiting the swimming pool or contemplating baby swimming lessons:
- Start classes young: babies can start swimming lessons from newborn - Swim Kids and other similar organizations run classes across the US and have swimming instructors who are trained to teach babies from birth. Always make sure your instructor is trained to teach young children.
- Be wary of flotation devices: flotation devices such as arm floats, inflatable floats and life jackets/ vests are great to help support baby in the water but are not a substitute for adult supervision - children should always be supervised in water, even if wearing flotation devices.
- Check surroundings: always check for hazards at your local pool, such as slippery surfaces, cracked tiles, objects left that can be tripped over - be mindful if you’re carrying your baby that you also need to take care walking around the pool so as not to slip. It is also a good idea to check if there is a lifeguard on duty before entering the pool, but always supervise your little one even when a lifeguard is present.
For more information on starting swimming lessons, check out the AAP’s guide here.
Water safety resources for parents
Here we’ve gathered some useful guides and more information about water safety for young children:
AAP - infant water safety guidelines
AAP - pool dangers and drowning
AAP - swim lessons everything you need to know
Red Cross - how to perform CPR on children
Water Safety USA - water safety advice
Kids in Danger - recommendations on bath seats
Safe Kids Worldwide - water safety guide
National Library of Medicine - study on benefits of swimming for babies
Swim Kids - swimming lessons across the US
Water play can be so much fun for baby and instilling that early positive interaction with water can set them up for safer interactions with water in the future. Taking the precautions listed above will help keep your baby safe, while allowing them to enjoy time in the water.
