Father's Day gift from baby - lots of ideas here
Are you looking for a Father's Day gift from baby that might be a little more exciting than the classic coffee mug that says "Dad? "It's Father's Day on 5 June 2019, so read on to find the perfect Father's Day gift to surprise the man in your family with.
The story of Father's Day goes back many years. In fact, it started back to the year 1909 when the day was invented after Mother's Day became known. Although Father's Day is celebrated and marked in many places in Denmark, and in the world, the day has never really caught on in the commercial world as much as Mother's Day.
But fortunately, many families celebrate the day and think Dad deserves a little attention or a gift because he's a great dad. The idea of Father's Day came to Denmark in 1935, when industry welcomed yet another commercial day. Over the years, Father's Day has become more popular. That's why we've put together some great suggestions for exciting Father's Day gifts from baby or from the whole family. Read on and get inspired.
Read moreIs your child going to boarding school?
In the years to come, boarding schools will be for everyone, just as we know it with mainstream institutions today. The only difference is that they don't close at 5pm and children can stay there all week.
The proposal has met with a mainly positive response from both government and employers.
How to best secure your iPad against children's fingers
Many children today, sit from an early age with either an iPad or similar. But few children have complete control over their movements, so an iPad can suddenly land on the floor from the sofa, while they are little fingers, so they can often get stuck in an app they don't need, like email.
Here, we give you tips and tricks on how to best secure your iPad against children's fingers.
Child-friendly silicone cover
This nice cover makes it easier for little ones to hold on to the iPad so it doesn't suddenly slip away. At the same time, the cover is made to stand on its own. So you can put the iPad on a table or similar and the kids can look at the screen without touching it.
This way you don't have to invest in an iPad just for the kids and you greatly reduce the risk of damage to your iPad.
There are many different types of silicone covers - both depending on the model of iPad you have, but also depending on where you want to buy your cover.
Protective film or glass
In addition to a cover, it can be a good idea to protect your iPad with either protective film or glass.
The protective film takes all the small scratches that come with use, while the protective glass also absorbs hard knocks. For example, if a young child has grabbed the iPad and is sitting there hammering a wooden block into the screen.
So depending on how big or small your children are, you can assess what is most appropriate.
The inner and the outer
In addition to securing your iPad against knocks, drops, etc., you can also make sure your child doesn't mess with things they shouldn't when using the iPad.
Your or your children's iPad?
Depending on whether it's your device or your kids', you can make sure they don't mess with the settings on your iPad. To do this:
- Go to settings and tap screen time.
- Press continue and select either "this is my iPad" or "this is my child's iPad"
- With your own iPad, if you are a parent or guardian who wants to prevent another family member from changing your settings, tap "Use the code for screen time" to create a password. Then confirm it by entering the password again. >>> If you are setting screen time on your children's iPad, simply follow the prompts until you get to Parent codewhere you will need to create a password. Then confirm the password by typing it again.
- Press content and anonymity. Here you will be asked to enter your password and then turn on content and anonymity.
OBS! Choose a different code than the one used to unlock your iPad!
Avoid deleted apps
Your child might suddenly get stuck on an app and then a lot of apps might get deleted. But you can avoid this.
So avoid both your child buying or downloading apps and possibly deleting apps already on the iPad with these simple steps:
- Go to settings and press screen time
- Press Content and anonymity. Enter your password if prompted.
- Press purchase in iTunes & App Store
- Select an option and set it to Do not allow.
You can also change the password settings for additional purchases in the iTunes & App Store or Book Store. Follow steps 1-3 and then select always demand or do not demand.
Built-in apps
The apps that come with your iPad when you buy it can't be deleted, but you can make sure your kids don't mess with them by "locking them".
If you turn off an app, it's just temporarily hidden from your home screen. This way, your kids won't go to the email application and get sent emails. The app only becomes visible again when you then actively go in and turn it back on.
- Go to Settings and then Screen time
- Press Content and anonymity
- Enter your Screen Time password
- Press Allowed apps
- Select the apps you want to allow
Block offensive content
Music, movies and apps all have age limits. You can enable age restrictions on your iPad to prevent your kids from watching something they shouldn't.
Here's how:
- Go to Settings and press Screen time
- Press Content and anonymityand then press Content Restrictors
- Select the settings you want for each function or option under Allowed store content
You can restrict the following types of content:
- Age limits in countries or territories.
- Music, podcasts and news.
- Music profiles and listings.
- Film
- TV broadcasts
- Books
- Apps
Web searches with restrictions
You can also limit web searches with help from Siri
- Go to Settings and tap Screen time
- Tap Content and anonymity, then tap Content restrictions
- Scroll down to Siri, then select your settings.
With Siri's restrictions on web searches, you avoid Siri searching the web when she gets a question. It also prevents her from displaying offensive language.
Prevents web content
With an iPad, you can easily filter the content that appears on websites. You can also add specific websites that are either blocked or approved.
- Go to Settingsthen press Screen time
- Press Content and anonymityand enter your screen time password
- Press Content restrictionsand then press Web content
- Choose Unlimited access, Restrict adult websites or Permitted sites only
Depending on what you choose, you may need to add additional information, such as the website you want to restrict access to.
We hope this post will help you take better care of your iPad and especially your children, so they don't click on something they shouldn't. Remember, it's always a good idea to supervise children when they're using devices like an iPad. Sites like Youtube still have loopholes that allow kids to suddenly be watching something they shouldn't be watching in the first place.
Have a great time.
Baby smoothies - sweets in disguise
The supermarket shelves are full of colourful smoothies for babies. It started small a few years ago. Semper entered the baby market with smoothies that could be taken on the go.
We asked the food expert Michael René for advice about a healthier option than the ready-made smoothies - he has and he has also interviewed Preben Vestergaard Hansen about the nutritional content of these baby smoothies. And their response was surprising!
Baby smoothies stand next to baby food in glasses. The difference between a baby smoothie and a jarred baby food is that no spoon is needed for the smoothie and it is made from fruit. It's an easy little snack to take on the go, for when the little ones get hungry.
Since then, a lot of new variants and brands have appeared on the market. Now it's not just pure fruit that makes its way into the little smoothie bags, now vegetables, rice, grits etc. have also been added to the mixes.
Now you can make your own smoothies for baby - find the easy recipes further down the page!
Children and grief
It happens in most families that at some point you lose someone close. It's one thing to deal with your own grief, it's another to have to deal with your children's grief at the same time. Here we give you some tips for working with children's grief, aged 0-6, when they lose someone close.
Few families talk about death unless there are life-threatening illnesses involved. We know it can end suddenly for all of us, but we'd rather not talk about it with children.
Which pet for children?
Which pet is best for children?
A soft furry best friend, learning about responsibility and the inevitable face of grief and loss. Giving your child a pet brings many things worth considering. Before making the big decision, it's always a good idea to consider the pros and cons of different kinds of pets. Read on to find out more about children and pets - even if you have allergies in the family.
Rabbit
Long soft ears and a cute expression - these little bunnies are hard to resist. But actually, the little animal requires a lot more than many might think. In recent years, "free-range" rabbits have become more and more common. That is, a rabbit that is not caged.
A rabbit needs a lot of space to move around, and preferably as many hours a day as possible. If the rabbit is caged for most of its life, there is a high risk of an overweight, aggressive and unhappy rabbit.
Rabbits can run freely around the house just like a cat. It can learn to go to the toilet in a litter tray or in its cage. You can also choose to have the rabbit outside in the garden. All you need to do is provide a fox-proof area that you can lock the rabbit in at night.
The rabbit is quite cheap to buy, but can be expensive to run. It needs fresh hay every day, fruit and vegetables and, of course, plenty of opportunity for exercise. In addition, it can more or less look after itself. You don't have to walk it like a dog, and it can be left at home on its own.
In the wild, rabbits live in colonies. This means that they live side by side but alone. You can therefore keep a rabbit alone. If you have two together they must be neutered and otherwise have plenty of space.
Find out more in the big facebook group "Frikanin". Be aware that many books about rabbits have outdated knowledge, so read them with a critical mind.
A rabbit is
- Cheap to buy
- Does not require much, except space
- Maybe not fond of being lifted and hugged a lot by a child
- Not the best indoor animals for allergy sufferers as they shed a lot and need hay and bedding that dusts
- Can easily stay outside all year - An option for the allergy sufferer
Porpoise
The cute little creatures come in many colours and different fur types. They don't require as much space as a rabbit and can live mainly in their cage, as long as it's big enough. However, you should be aware that guinea pigs are pack animals and therefore need to live at least two together. As a general rule, two guinea pigs should have a cage of 50*100 cm.
Guinea pigs are not nocturnal - that is, they are awake during the day and are usually quiet and sleep most of the night.
Unlike rabbits, guinea pigs are very talkative. They make little squeaks of delight when you come home, or when they smell something delicious nearby. Conversely, they may also growl if they feel threatened or unsafe. This makes it easy for children to read the animal's signals.
Guinea pigs feed on hay, fodder and fruit and vegetables. In summer, the baby can go hunting for dandelions, which are many guinea pigs' favourite food.
Guinea pigs can live outside, but not all year round, as they are vulnerable to draughts. You should therefore be prepared to keep them indoors for at least part of the year. They are generally a bit fragile and you should expect a lifespan of 3-5 years, although of course there are always some that break the average.
The little animals love to get out of their cages and peck at their owner. You can sit with the guinea pig on a towel while watching TV in the evening. They can also go for a run on the floor, where you can train the guinea pig to go to the toilet on a small tray, or jump into its cage when it needs to.
When buying your guinea pig, you can either buy privately or from a pet shop. In pet shops, several litters are often mixed and the young are often taken from their mother. There is therefore a high risk of disease. It is better to look for a good private breeder on, for example, The Blue Paper, or check the terms at the pet shop carefully before buying.
Good to know before buying guinea pigs
- Guinea pigs should always live with at least one other guinea pig, as they are pack animals
- They cannot live outside all year round as they do not tolerate draughts
- Guinea pigs make nice little noises
- They love to snuggle on the sofa or be put on the floor for a run (watch out for the wires)
- They feed on hay, pellets and fruit and vegetables
Hamster
A hamster is a curious little rodent that has been one of the most popular pets for children for years. They are easy to care for and don't require much space.
However, you should be aware that the hamster is nocturnal. This means that the small animal is active at night, running around in its cage, playing and eating, etc. Typically, the hamster wakes up between 4pm and 6pm on weekdays. This means that it sleeps during the hours when most of us are usually at nursery, school or work.
You can choose between a golden hamster or a dwarf hamster. Both animals prefer to live alone, as they can become aggressive towards each other. The golden hamster is slightly larger than the dwarf hamster, and slightly more active.
The cage for a golden hamster should be at least 50 * 100 cm.
The cage for a dwarf hamster should be at least 40 * 70 cm.
Budgerigar or other bird
The budgie is probably the most popular choice of bird as a pet for children. It comes in many beautiful colours, and is a lovely animal that loves company. The bird needs a spacious cage and to get out and fly around the house 3-4 times a day. Birds need to live together at least two by two as they are pack animals.
However, you should be aware that a budgie can be very noisy. This is true of all birds. They can sing beautifully, but they can also "squawk" and make very loud scratching noises. It may not be ideal to have the bird in a child's room or bedroom.
As a pet for children, you should also consider that a budgie cannot be "petted" as such. It is therefore perhaps more of a pet that is fun to look at. Also, it takes a lot of patience and time to tame it, so the child probably needs to be at least 8-10 years old before they can really look after the budgie themselves. Until then, of course, it's fun and entertaining to watch.
Allergies to birds are rare in themselves, but they can be very dusty. They flap their wings and spread their food and litter all over the place. So a daily bout with the vacuum cleaner is probably unavoidable.
Reptiles
Reptiles have become increasingly popular as pets for children - in part because they're great for children with allergies. Reptiles are different from traditional pets in many ways. They don't necessarily like to be picked up and handled, and they require special living conditions such as heat lamps and special diets.
On the other hand, they are fascinating animals that children will get a lot out of observing.
Reptiles as pets can be:
- Turtle
- Leopard gecko
- Tyresnog
Or other reptiles. It's always a good idea to get proper advice before acquiring reptiles. For the most part, they will only thrive if their living conditions are ideal.
Guide to leisure activities for children aged 1-6
Can children go to an activity even if they are in a nursery or kindergarten? This is of course a matter of judgement for each individual child. But basically the answer is - yes!
Now you've decided that your child should go to some kind of extracurricular activity - but the question is, what? Because your child may not be showing any real interest in a particular activity yet. So there's nothing to do but try. In most places you can get a trial lesson and in others you might have the opportunity to try it out and see if it's something for your child.
How important are leisure activities?
In the period 1-6 years, play and motor development are in high focus. So the focus here is not so much on whether the child goes to an after-school activity, but more on whether this activity can help your child develop. The key word is simply play. So this play can just as well be playing ball with your child or letting your child jump on the trampoline in the backyard. It's just important to get physical activity into your child's subconscious as much as possible - so that it becomes a natural part of everyday life.
A child who is used to being physically active in everyday life will also automatically have a greater desire to be active in a leisure activity later on. This is particularly important when the child starts school, where the child will have a much more sedentary day than in nursery.
But that doesn't mean it's a bad thing to sign your child up for football, gymnastics or something else before they turn 6. Because children learn a lot of new things by going to an extracurricular activity.
- It is through physical activity that your child's body grows and develops normally.
- Being physically active makes you stronger and healthier.
- In activities such as gymnastics and football, coordination skills are challenged and strengthened.
- The child's social skills are also strengthened by learning to cooperate and become a better friend.
- Mentally, immersion in an interest can improve concentration and memory.
- Your child's confidence can also get a big boost by becoming good at something, as they will have more confidence in themselves and also become braver.
Leisure activities
Music
Some municipalities offer instrumental teaching for children aged 2-9, which is more of an introduction to instruments and not directly teaching one specific instrument.
In some music schools, it is also possible to start a choir before school age.
Football
Your local football team may have a toddler team, aged 2-5. Here your child can try their hand at football, with the focus on play and getting comfortable with the ball. From the age of 4, there may be an opportunity to start a specific football team with peers. Here the focus will be much more on the game itself and learning to control the ball better.
Gymnastics
Going to the gym is not just one thing. There are many different types of gymnastics classes. For example, there are gymnastics classes, motor classes, tumbling classes, etc.
In
If your child wants to start dancing, this is usually from the age of 3. However, some places offer dance classes as young as 2 years old, which are more like toddler classes. The most common dance class for the youngest is a showdance class - that is, the kind of dancing that is done in children's MGPs etc.
If your child would much rather take up ballet, they can do so from the age of 4.
If you are into couple dancing, it is already from 3 years.
The more specific dance styles such as hip hop, jazz etc. are more from 5 years and up, depending on the location.
Swimming
Here you can start from your baby is brand new, your baby must be only 10 weeks old before they can start to swim. At first they are very dependent on their parents, but as they get older and better swimmers, they can manage to be alone in the water with a swimming instructor. This typically happens from around the age of 5. Swimming is also a good skill to acquire early, but it does not have to be done by going to swimming lessons. It can also be learned by going to the swimming pool with your children relatively often.
Handball
With handball, your child can start to a bit like tumbling ball at the age of 2 years. Here it is also more a playful introduction to handball than the really serious game.
Martial arts
For the different martial arts, the age is 6 years, but if your child is under 6 years old, they can come for a trial lesson and then you can see if your child might be ready anyway. There are differences between children and their maturity.
Scout
In some scout groups you can start as early as 3 years old, this is called family groups and not all places offer this as it requires parent volunteers.
Yoga
The latest trend is definitely children's yoga. Here the child can be involved from the very beginning with mother-child yoga, then toddler yoga and then powder puff yoga which then goes to 7 years. Most classes start either from the age of 3 or only when the children are over 6. This depends on the location.
Yoga is not a hard physical activity, but instead it can help your child feel calmer and more in touch with themselves.
Ice hockey
If you think you have a little hockey player in your child, many clubs allow you to register your child from the age of 4.
Arp - what is arp?
You've noticed something strange in your baby's scalp - what is it? At the next visit from the health visitor, you ask and get the answer "it's a scar". She gives you some good advice. But what is scab and why does it happen?
Let your children play with the economy
It can be frustrating as a parent not to have cash on you when you want to give pocket money or similar. But there is a solution for the cashless family.
As a parent, you want to give your child the best tools to succeed in the future. But it can be hard to teach your children about finances and let them earn pocket money when everything is done on online banking or paid for with a credit card.
Read moreAudio books for children
Reading a good book can be incredibly relaxing for children and provides different stimuli to watching TV. So how about investing in a subscription to a place with audio books for the little ones?
There are various audiobook apps, some of which are filled with audiobooks for both children and adults. Other apps are filled with audiobooks and e-books. The e-books are more beneficial for children who have started reading - that is, are of school age.
Understandably, your child may need to unwind when they get home from school and the TV is a great way to do this, as it doesn't leave them thinking too much. But on a weekend day, when your child just doesn't want to play, an audio book can be a great alternative. Because the child gets a story, but only the pictures like in a real book (in some apps). So the child has to use their brain and creativity to form the pictures for themselves. Just like if you read aloud to your child yourself.
Remember, however, that watching you read aloud is still important for learning the correct mouth movements etc. Children reflect in you - that's why they read your body language, facial expressions and the way you pronounce words.
Here are some examples of apps that contain great children's audiobooks. Please let us know if you have any other audiobook apps that you can recommend.
Fairytell.com
Fairytell is an app where you pay for a subscription. This app is really good if you're looking for a place that caters only to kids. It's set up in a child-friendly way, so it's easy for the youngest to choose the story they'd most like to be read aloud. If you have children who have started school, the app also has e-books. So they can practice reading aloud and relax to a good story being read aloud.
The app is aimed at children aged 0-10 and can provide many hours of entertainment. Entertainment that only requires a tablet or smartphone that the children can sit with.
eReolen
If you're looking for free audiobooks, eReolen is a great place. Here you can find audio books for both children and adults. eReolen is an online library where you borrow for a period of time. You log in like at your local library.
It's not set up in a child-friendly way, but once you start an audiobook, kids can easily just sit and listen.
The loudspeaker
Højtlæseren is an app made by Gyldendal. It's set up in a nice child-friendly way and you flip through the pages yourself, so your child gets the feel of finishing a page and moving on to the next.
The app itself is free, but in-app purchases are available. Here it is possible to buy book packages.
Storytel
Storytel is the place for kids and adults alike. It offers both audio and e-books on subscription. However, the app is not set up in a child-friendly way, so an adult or older sibling must be present when the youngest in the family wants to listen to an audiobook.
There is a good selection of books for children of all ages, for many hours of relaxation with a good story.
Saxo
Did you know that you can subscribe to Saxo and have access to a lot of audiobooks - including children's books? Saxo is not just a place for you to buy books. If you subscribe to Saxo, you'll also get great discounts on books. So children can have books read to them on audio as well as having them physically in their hands.
Unfortunately, the app isn't set up quite so child-friendly. So for younger children, an adult or older sibling is needed to help.
Experiences in the winter holidays 2019
The winter holidays are upon us - and if you're not planning to spend your holiday in the Alps or on the beach, here are some tips to make the most of your time in Denmark.
You're going on winter break with the kids, but you don't have any plans yet. You know the kids aren't going to spend a week in front of the TV or just in the garden - you're going to get out and about. So here are some options for some fun and activity.
Read moreGet outside in the cold
You're probably one of many people who prefer to stay indoors when the cold is over Denmark. But a fire pit is one way to make the outdoors a little cosier, for young and old alike.
Of course, this is most optimal if you live near some nature where a fire pit is set up or if you have your own garden. A fireplace doesn't have to be expensive and the kids will love making bread etc. out in the open.
To have your own fireplace, you can make it yourself
First of all, check if it is allowed to make a fire pit in your own garden in the municipality where you live. In addition, there may be a number of other rules that you need to abide by - these can usually be found on your local authority's website.
Always make sure your home fire pit is a safe distance from anything flammableso you don't end up setting fire to the shed or something. Also bear in mind that the fireplace will be nice to use in the summer and therefore must not be allowed to get set in dry grass etc. One last thing to consider before making a permanent fire pit is the direction of the wind and whether it will disturb neighbours too much.
You can find many different guides online to build your very own fire pit.
You can also choose to buy a bonfire
An easy choice is to buy a fire pit. With a fire pit you can move your fire around. You can then move the fire pit from the front garden to the back garden or just to another spot in the garden. You can also choose to pack the fire pit away for a while if you don't want it to be out in the open. This is very practical if you don't have the biggest garden and want to have space for other things.
You can find both expensive models in fire pans and slightly cheaper.
What can I use a fire pit for?
Now we take it all year round, starting in the colder months.
Winter is upon us, the snow may have fallen and the kids want to be outside all the time. But being outside can also be a quiet moment instead of having to trot and run around a playground. You start in the kitchen, where you make dough for snobrød with the kids. While the dough is rising, the fire is lit. Now you can get out jams or similar things to put in the bread. You can also make hot cocoa or tea to take out in a thermos.
RECIPE FOR SNOB BREAD approx. 10 pcs.
time 60 minutes
25g yeast
3 dl lukewarm water
1 tsp coarse salt
500g wheat flour
Stir half a packet of crumbled yeast into the water. Add the salt and gradually the flour. Knead the dough well. Let the dough rise for 30 minutes. Brush your skewers with a little butter or oil to make the bread easier to remove.
Divide the dough into 10 balls and roll out the dough into long sausages. Wrap the dough around the puffs and leave to rise for 10-20 minutes. Then bake the snob rolls over the coals until golden all over and cooked through (about 20 minutes).
Find a good spot around the fire pit and make sure the children have a good distance. Put the dough on the skewers you have, let the children put the dough on themselves and let them heat it over the fire.
You'll all find the cosiness and warmth when sitting around the fire pit. It's a relaxing way to be outside and the fire has a calming and healing effect on the otherwise dark time.
Summer brings long evenings in the garden. Of course, the fire pit can be used for snob bread and cosiness all year round. But it can also be extended to roast sausages or marshmallows. You can also buy accessories that allow you to cook a whole meal over a fire instead of on the gas barbecue.
The fire pit can also be used in the evening, when darkness falls and the cold creeps in. Then it's time to get out the blankets and light up the fire. Then you can spend many more hours outside.
Pyre
Strengthen your child's language
Language is a big part of our everyday lives and your child's world too. If your child is already behind in language from nursery age, your child will be behind in language for the rest of their life. Here we give you some advice on how to strengthen your child's language.
Your child's language will develop naturally if you just remember to talk to them from the moment they are born. Yet your child's language may be lagging behind. Some children focus more on other things, like motor skills. However, falling behind in language from nursery age can have consequences throughout your child's life. That's why it's important to focus on language or lack of it and take early action.
Read moreBaby's first Christmas
Lots of people and a little creature that doesn't understand what Christmas is. Big family gatherings at Christmas time can make most new parents sweat. Here's some advice on how to get through Christmas so it's a good experience for everyone.
Here are some easy and useful tips to make your first Christmas with baby much more enjoyable. We asked Helen Lyng Hansen for advice. She's a health visitor and the founder of Netundhedsplejerske.dk. Together with her, we can help you have a calmer Christmas.
Lucia Day 13 December - bake your own Lucia bread
Today is Lucia Day, 13 December. The day when Lucia parades are held in workplaces, schools and institutions. Maybe you'll see your child go to the Lucia parade or maybe you'll go together to see it somewhere else, like the local centre or something similar. In many places it is a tradition to have a Lucia procession. You can often find it in libraries, the town hall, the church, the local centre and other public places. It will often be advertised in the local newspaper or online. It is also the day when Lucia bread is often eaten, a welcome tradition from Sweden. You can buy some to take home after work or make them with the children after they have been picked up from school. They are relatively easy to make, taste great and are so pretty. Here is the recipe for Lucia bread.
Have we forgotten Dad?
Most places cater primarily to mother and child, because it has typically been the mother's dare to take maternity leave. But this is changing - dad is coming on board and this needs to be appreciated too.
Read below for tips on activities between dad and child.
For centuries, father has been the one who went out to provide food for the family, while mother has been the one who stayed at home to provide care. But recent research suggests that dad has a far greater role to play in the child's life than previously thought - if he participates and perhaps he should, especially if he has sons.
Historically, fathers have never been as involved in their children's lives as they are now. Both out of desire and necessity, as mothers have now entered the workforce.
Baby swimming - your guide to baby swimming
As parents, we can do so many different things to strengthen our children's sensory motor skills. So why not choose an activity that is enjoyable for both ourselves and our child? Sometimes we need to think about ourselves, even if we've become parents to the world's most beautiful child.
In this activity, you get to float in 34 degrees of hot water. If that sounds appealing, then you should definitely start baby swimming. Read on to find out if it's something you might fancy.
Strengthen your child's sensory motor skills
Baby swimming is good for your child's sensory motor skills and social interaction. For babies up to one and a half years old, the focus is on the parent and child. But there will also be plenty of opportunity to swim around the pool and greet the other members of the team. As well as there will be the opportunity to be social after the trip in the pool. After swimming, most babies will want to eat, so there will often be an opportunity to sit together with the children so they can see each other while they eat - however, this is only when they can join in at the tables and be given porridge or other solid food.
Swimming is part of gross motor skills, like running, cycling, etc. This means that swimming comes under the stimulation of the sensory motor in children, a point where senses, brain, body and movement work together. Being and moving in water is a very different feeling than being on a floor or similar. Read more about baby motor skills and the three senses.
Baby swimming in teams or alone
You can go to the swimming pool on your own without having registered your child in a swimming team. There is no requirement that you have attended baby swimming. If you're not completely comfortable with the idea of going to the pool with your baby, it might be a good idea to go alone and be able to take it at your own pace. There will always be a lifeguard or two present at the pool who will be able to give you some little tips and tricks for your own little swimming session. Just be aware that the lifeguard won't be able to stay with you for too long at a time. But the lifeguard can tell you about the first dive, for example, and just watch you try it. Whether you then want to continue swimming one-on-one or you then want to try to start a team is up to you.
In a swimming class, the focus will be on different exercises from time to time, such as edge diving, turning in the water, etc. By going to the swimming pool alone you can take this at your own pace and not worry about how many times you have left in the team. This way, you can also feel if the day in question is not good and then wait to go until the next day. The downside of going alone is that you don't get the instructions and exercises that the instructor informs you about. You don't know if there are many others in the hot tub and most people tend to run dead in the same exercises with baby. A team can thus help to develop your skills in the water.
Take your time
Time in the pool should be a calm and safe experience for your little one, so it's important to slow down and go with the flow. When you're in the water, there are no phones ringing, no cleaning, no cooking. It's you and your baby. You need to make good eye contact, enjoy the warm water and otherwise just read each other's body language.
The first time your baby experiences the pool and gets into the water, it can be overwhelming. And depending on how old your baby is, 10 minutes in the water for the first time can be more than enough. Afterwards, babies typically fall asleep because there's been so much to process from different sensations.
When?
But when can you actually start swimming with baby? You can start baby swimming from your baby is about 10 weeks old. As a woman, you must have had your 8-week check-up after giving birth and have been given the go-ahead by your doctor to go swimming. This is because the chlorine water can be full of some bacteria that can give you an infection if you have wounds that still haven't healed. However, if you have any doubts about whether your child is ready to go to the swimming pool, you can always talk to your healthcare professional for the best guidance.
Is it ever too late to start baby swimming? Baby swimming is, as it's called, swimming for babies. Then it depends on the swimming pool and their team division, when they call it baby swimming and when it is just a swimming team. Most call it baby swimming until the child is about 1 ½ - 2 years old, and then call it tumbling. But whether your child is 12 weeks, 2 years or 10 years, it's never too late to start swimming. Swimming is a good skill to know as we are around water a surprising amount. So your child doesn't need to be able to swim a 100 metre crawl, but just have learnt the basics of how to act in water. Learning how to act in case you fall in the water is also a big part of first baby swimming.
Tips for the trip to the swimming pool
- Prepare your baby for water by bathing in a tub at home and learning to get water over their head with water from the shower or from a water jug. Remember that the water from the shower should be on low strength.
- Make time with water a fun time for singing and playing. You can bring this to the pool. For example, you could sing a particular song every time you bathe, then you can sing the same song in the pool to create familiarity and reassurance.
- Always make sure you check the swimming pool's rules on swimwear for babies and small children, as most swimming pools have a requirement for swimwear as long as the child is wearing a nappy. The wrong swimwear can prevent a trip to the pool. If in doubt, contact the swimming pool.
- Bring more than one towel - one for when you're in the pool and one for when baby's bathed after the pool. That way, you'll reduce the chance of your baby getting tangled in a damp or wet towel. You can find inspiration for different baby towels at startpakke.com.
- Make sure that your baby's body is always mostly under water so that your baby doesn't get too chilled.
- Make sure you have good eye contact with your baby and make lots of happy and smiling facial expressions.
- Let your breathing be calm and let yourself glide through the water. Let your baby feel the movement of the water by gliding through it, turning and just moving in it. Your baby should be held away from your body, with their face turned towards your face. This way your baby can read your body language and facial expressions, while getting a good feel for the water around their body. After a dive, however, it can be safe to get close to your skin, as long as you remember to smile and tell your baby in a happy voice how good he or she is.
Enjoy your trip to the swimming pool.
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It's easy to carve a pumpkin into a beautiful lantern. It's a fun activity to do with the kids during the autumn holidays. That's why we've created an easy guide on how to carve a beautiful Halloween pumpkin. The pumpkin can brighten up the winter darkness and create a cosy - or perhaps more [...]
Advent calendar for mum and dad
Christmas is fast approaching and before we know it, it will be December. Did you remember to buy yourself an advent calendar?
Every year, remember to buy a Christmas calendar for the kids - whether you go out and buy 24 individual packs, 4 Advent packs or buy a ready-made one with LEGO, Schleisch or chocolate.
But what about yourself? When was the last time you, as a mother or father, had an advent calendar? Well, apart from the usual scrapbook calendar that probably hangs on the fridge year after year. If you have to think about it too much, it's been far too long, and so we think you should go out and delight yourself a little. Buy an advent calendar for yourself, your partner or as a joint. Christmas isn't just the children's party, it's the party of hearts. So an advent calendar for mum and dad is guaranteed to make Christmas even merrier.
Take a look below and be inspired by the different Advent calendars for adults - that is, Advent calendars for mum and dad.
