Your child has just completed another successful swimming lesson! You are proud of their progress, but now what? As a swim instructor of over 15 years, I've learned a couple secrets and tricks that will ensure your child stays healthy and can continue doing their swimming lessons without interruption!
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Preventing Ear Infections
After spending time in the pool, it's essential to care for your child's ears to make sure they don't get swimmer's ear. Water in the ear can cause discomfort and lead to ear infections. The secret to avoiding this is a single drop of rubbing alcohol in each ear.
This simple post-swim ritual will dry up any residual moisture in the ear canal, making it less inviting for bacteria to grow. Just tilt your child's head to the side, add a drop, and let it work its magic. This is a quick, safe and effective way to prevent ear troubles and keep your child in top swim shape.
This trick isn't just for children! Anytime you go under the water it is a good idea to do this to prevent ear infections. I keep my rubbing alcohol in these glass bottles that include a dropper for fast and easy application.
Please Note: If the infection is already present then the rubbing alcohol trick will not help and you will need to buy swimmer's ear drops. I recommend using Hyland's Naturals, they are a great fast acting homeopathic remedy for swimmer's ear. They provide relief in as little as one day and you can get them delivered to you from Amazon. If the infection is really bad then make sure to go see a doctor.
The best thing, of course, is to prevent this problem altogether by doing the rubbing alcohol trick after every swim!
Show Your Swim Gear Some Love
Swimming attire, including bathing suits, rash guards and even reusable swim diapers wear out really quickly if not properly cared for. To extend the life of these items, post-swim care is essential. After each swim, rinse your child's swim gear thoroughly.
This not only washes away the chlorine, which can be harsh on fabrics, but also removes any salt or sand. Additionally, never be tempted to throw them in the dryer for a quick dry. Heat can weaken the fabric and cause it to wear out faster. Instead, hang or lay them out to air dry, keeping them in tip-top shape for many more swimming adventures.
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Grab A Bite
Swimming is a fantastic way to expend energy and improve physical fitness, but it can also leave your child feeling hungry and tired. Within an hour after a swimming lesson, it's crucial to provide your child with a nutritious snack.
This timeframe is what my swim coach used to call the "golden hour". The golden hour is the hour immediately after completing any form of exercise. He called it this because it is the best time to refuel your body so that the fuel properly replenishes your muscles.
After your child's lesson this will replenish the energy they've spent and supply their body with the necessary nutrients for recovery. Opt for a balanced snack, such as a banana with peanut butter, yogurt with berries, or a small turkey sandwich. The key is to ensure your child gets a mix of carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats to refuel their body effectively. Hydration is also vital, so don't forget to offer plenty of water or milk to keep them hydrated.
Post-Swim Routines
It's important to make these three post-swimming activities a habit after your child's swimming lessons. This will ensure they are able to stay consistent with the lessons by avoiding ear infections, caring for their swim gear, and refueling with a nutritious snack. This post-swim routine will keep your child smiling and eager for their next swim!
Click here to read why staying consistent with swimming lessons is so important. Haven't started lessons yet? Click here to read 3 things you can do to prepare your child for their first swim lesson! Unsure which lessons are right for your child? Click here to learn which lessons NOT to do.
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