Thinking about signing your baby up for a swim class? A surprising new study from the National Institutes of Health has found that toddlers who took swimming lessons in their first years of life were less likely to drown than those who hadn't. (In the past, experts had feared that teaching tots to dog-paddle might instill overconfidence in both kids and their parents when in the water.) What to consider before you jump in:

Ask your doctor first. Your pediatrician may want you to wait until your baby is 6 months or so to protect her delicate immune system.
Always hold your baby. Even if she's a swimming star, "stay within arm's reach at all times," says Gitanjali Taneja, Ph.D., a study author.
Keep the pool poop-free. Dress your baby in waterproof swim diapers (and change them often).
Stay warm. Babies lose heat quickly in water that's below 85°F. If your tot starts to shiver, take her out.
Get clean. Dry her ears with a cotton ball to prevent swimmer's ear (an infection caused by water trapped in the ear canal). And, later, bathe your baby to rinse off any chemicals that could irritate her skin.

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5 Tips for Introducing Baby to Water How to prepare your child for safe pool fun By Patty Onderko, Babytalk Thinking about signing your baby up for a swim class? A surprising new study from the National Institutes of Health has found that toddlers who took swimming lessons in their first years of life were less likely to drown than those who hadn't. (In the past, experts had feared that teaching tots to dog-paddle might instill overconfidence in both kids and their parents when in the water.) What to consider before you jump in: Ask your doctor first. Your pediatrician may want you to wait until your baby is 6 months or so to protect her delicate immune system. Always hold your baby. Even if she's a swimming star, "stay within arm's reach at all times," says Gitanjali Taneja, Ph.D., a study author. Keep the pool poop-free. Dress your baby in waterproof swim diapers (and change them often). Stay warm. Babies lose heat quickly in water that's below 85°F. If your tot starts to shiver, take her out. Get clean. Dry her ears with a cotton ball to prevent swimmer's ear (an infection caused by water trapped in the ear canal). And, later, bathe your baby to rinse off any chemicals that could irritate her skin.