A swimming baby, filmed as she swims across a pool, has started a controversy among viewers.
In the controversial YouTube video, 16-month-old Elizabeth, goaded by her mother’s cries of “Go, go, go!” and “You can do it!” is shown swimming unaided across the length of a swimming pool. In one clip on the video, the girl, swims an entire lap on one breath. In other cuts, she is shown turning over and gasping for breath before completing a lap.
Many people were uncomfortable with the baby being in the water unattended.
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“Disturbing,” Paul Frank Wagner commented in the YouTube comments.
“For some reason I feel this was attempted homicide turned extraordinary skill,” said Ethan Quagliano.
But others approved.
“Wow! That is simply amazing! I couldn't agree more with your decision and think you did your baby a great service by letting her learn to swim at such an early age!” Julie Wilderman wrote.
The child's father, posting as Adam BC on YouTube, says, "Just so everyone knows, I am a registered nurse and my wife was a life guard for six years and taught swimming for three. [N]ot only are we both professionally trained in CPR and water safety I am certified in advanced pediatric life support.
“At no point do we force our child to do anything she is unwilling to try. We are able to recognize infant/toddler fatigue in the swimming pool. Elizabeth is a very determined little girl and sometimes she wants to roll over and breath as she was taught and sometimes she wants to hold her breath the whole way. I was 100% prepared to jump in at first sign of distress,” he said.
“Please! do not just throw your child in the water and expect them to swim,” the father said.
Instead, he suggested visiting
www.infantswim.com to learn safe techniques in teaching babies to swim.
Parent-and-child, or “mommy and me” swim classes, have been around for decades. Babies as young as 6 months can safely get into the pool with a parent to gain familiarity with the surroundings, and
swimming lessons can start as early as age 3 or 4, according to Baby Center.
The site also cautions readers with a warning about swimming from the American Pediatrics Association: “Whenever infants and toddlers are in or around water, an adult should be within arm's length, practicing 'touch supervision.'"
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