Midwife

The midwifery It is an aquatic and playful activity where babies and parents interact and, therefore, also strengthen their bond. The goal is not for him to learn to swim, but for him to become familiar and enjoy the water. Classes are group classes and led by a monitor. The role of parents is essential living a unique and unrepeatable experience.

• The age of four months could be the optimal to start midwifery.
• The main benefit is that babies enjoy being active in the water, where they interact with their parents.
• In addition, it helps them to lose fear and to be able to submerge their head and float.

The ideal age to carry out this activity is not too defined. In some centers, babies start at two months and in others at four or six. Perhaps, if we are based on the maturation of the baby's immune system, four months could be an optimal age to start midwifery.It should be considered, however, that the centers that offer this activity must meet a series of requirements such as:

• Classes of 30 to 45 minutes maximum, respecting the resistance of each baby.
• Comfortable and heated water temperature (32ºC).
• Changing rooms near the pool and heated.
• Monitors trained in this discipline and use of appropriate material.
• The chlorine level in the water should not exceed 0.6%, otherwise it can be irritating to the skin and respiratory system.
• The facilities must be well ventilated.

Benefits of midwifery

The benefits of swimming with babies are numerous. The main one is that babies really enjoy this activity and therein lies its success. In the water babies can move freely, they relax, and this can help them increase their appetite, fall asleep and be in a good mood. The advantages of this activity are remarkable on a physical and emotional level:

• Promotes psychomotor development.
• Strengthens the muscular and skeletal system.
• Stimulates observation skills and free play.
• Strengthen him, through play and confidence.
• It encourages socialization with peers, especially from the age of two.
• It helps them lose their fear of water and they can be trained to float in the event of an accidental fall, thus avoiding drowning.

Enjoy and safety

The goal of the midwifery it is the enjoyment of the baby in the aquatic environment, that they lose their fear and that they can submerge their head and float. Even in life, the baby has the reflex to close the glottis by sinking its head in the water. In other words, the child knows that when entering the water he must not breathe. Probably, having lived nine months floating in amniotic fluid causes the presence of this reflex. The practice of midwifery before seven months can keep this reflex present and allow a better adaptation to the water.