30.05.2008 Swimming Since Birth
You have certainly seen such scenes: a baby, swimming on the susface of the water right into the arms of his mother.
"It is a kind of extreme ..., " - you used to think. Something like riding a one-wheel bicycle or fire swallowing.
However, it is not extraordinary. What's more, swimming is highly recommended as well as gymnastics, and is practiced in numerous city clinics and centers. Water - is the most harmonius environment for both physical and intellectual development (your baby has been swimming for 9 months - why not let him continue doing it?). "Swimming" babies start to sit, walk, run earlier, than their contemporaries, they seldom have respiratory diseases. They look healthier, and more "mature". Swimming helps to cope with such problems, as low muscles tonus, hypoxia; it makes the baby sleep better.
The warmth of yuor arms is the most natural thing for your baby. AMC specialists can teach you massage, gymnastis and swimming, for you to practice together with your child. The earlier you start the lessons, the more healthy and glad your child will be.
Elmira Mamedova, Pediatrician, American Medical Center.
Picture: Andrey Triphonenkov