ASA's Toddler Transition Program

We've all been there. You're at the supermarket, on an airplane or stuck in a car with a crying baby. Science shows us that Parents are put on heightened alert when they hear the sound of a crying baby, yes, ANY baby! This is because we are naturally primed to be concerned for the most vulnerable members of our families and communities and a crying baby alerts us to what our brains tell is could be a dangerous situation. The problem is, we don't live around fires in caves or the open wilderness anymore. Babies and children don't just cry when they are hurt or scared but for a host of other reasons we'll touch on below. Before you stress about your baby or child crying in class, rest assured that we have ALL been there. Nobody in your class will resent or hate you for a crying baby or child because we can all relate, especially members of the swim community that have been through the same thing! Lets get on with it then! 1.) One of the first reasons your baby may be crying is the "stranger danger" instinct. Some children are more than happy to meet strangers but the vast majority of babies and children are very timid during first introductions. We all know that one niece or nephew that STILL won't acknowledge your existence! In fact, our children have this hardwired into their brains to protect them from people they don't know and to communicate with parents that something doesn't seem right to them. During the first or second baby class, it is perfectly normal for your baby to cry when meeting or interacting with the teacher, other parents & their babies. 2.) Another HUGE reason your baby could be crying is due to SO MUCH stimulation. Swimming pools are filled with unfamiliar noises, textures, lighting and visual cues. The most prominent sensory stimulant is being placed in water for the first time outside of a bath. The feeling of weightlessness is a brand new experience and water being placed on their head and face triggers a number of natural responses. All these factors culminate in an essential but sometimes overwhelming experience for your baby but hang in there, we've all had to go through the same process to get a happy & comfortable water baby! 3.) They just might not be in a good mood! Sometimes baby falls asleep on the way to class, only to be jolted awake and placed in an unfamiliar setting (talk about wondering how they go there). Other times they may be hungry or they are irritated you won't let them jump out of your hands into oblivion. Babies can be unpredictable and they communicate with their emotions. If they are cranky, hungry, sad or want attention, babies use crying to communicate that they want SOMETHING, what that something means is for YOU to decipher. Understanding why your baby is crying goes a long way into helping find ways to reduce or eliminate it. Every parent must be patient and understanding while their baby is on this exciting new voyage. Remember to put yourself in their shoes before deciding to remove them from the pool and SMILE to show them that the water is nothing to be afraid of!