Can infants really swim?

You bet they can! Most infants, from birth to between four and six months, have what is called a Swim Reflex. When submerged and released underwater, they actually show rhythmic and synchronized movement of the arms, legs and torso. They can hold their breath for about 10 seconds, (if you doubt this, time the seconds between breaths when they are voraciously drinking,) and swim three to four feet. Polynesian cultures have known this for centuries, as they take their newborns down to the water each day and place them face down in the water, to swim about like tadpoles. Now don’t just go and submerge your child without learning what to do and how to do it, because there are dangers and needless risks associated with submersion, if you don’t know what you are doing.