Neck circle for bathing babies: personal experience and conclusions

When I bought a circle for bathing newborns, authoritative sources unanimously spoke about its benefits. There was no question of doubting the safety of this method of swimming for children. Doctor Komarovsky himself advised buying a circle for the neck.

About a year later, I found out that now it is not only unfashionable, but also dangerous (according to infant swimming instructors). There is no reliable evidence that a neck ring for bathing babies is harmful. No studies have been conducted. And I see two camps here: those who have used or want to use a circle around the neck, and those who are vehemently opposed. The latter usually refer specifically to infant swimming coaches. After all, they, first of all, do not benefit from the use of additional bathing products.

An article about infant swimming can be read here. About the neck ring for swimming - here.

Today I will not speak for or against anyone, but will only talk about my experience using a neck circle for bathing babies.

At what age can you use a bathing circle?

Manufacturers say that the use of the circle is allowed from birth. In practice, this is impossible, because after birth the baby’s belly button has not yet healed, which means it is not recommended to bathe him. If you decide to start using a swimming circle as early as possible, you should wait until the belly button heals and only then begin classes.

The optimal age to start bathing a baby with a circle is 1-1.5 months. At this time, the baby will already get used to the new environment, daily water procedures and will perceive swimming with such an accessory as a game. The circle can be used until the child reaches the age of two.

The baby’s inability to hold his head up on his own is not a reason to refuse to use the circle. When bathing in it, there is no strain on the child’s neck, which means it cannot harm the vertebrae.

No matter how many months your child is, he is not allowed to be left alone in the bathroom, even in a bathing circle. This can be dangerous for the baby. For the first time, it is recommended to support the child with your hand.

Circle for bathing newborns: from how many months to use

Pediatricians recommend buying a neck circle for bathing a newborn. We will tell you how to choose it, from how many months to use this device, and also what its benefits and harms are for the child. Externally, the device resembles a regular swimming ring in a smaller version, but to achieve benefits, the accessory must be used correctly.

What is a device

A circle for bathing babies usually consists of several chambers. Moreover, one of them is inside the other. This structure allows you to provide the baby with maximum comfort and safety. If the outer camera is damaged, the inner one will operate as protection.

The device is fixed on the neck. Special fasteners are provided for this. There is a recess for the chin, which provides comfort for the baby. The design of such devices is very diverse. They can be painted in bright or pastel colors.

In this case, the part that should be in the water is usually transparent. Manufacturers often make accessories that contain various rattles inside.

This helps to attract the baby's attention and make the bathing process fun.

The circle for bathing a newborn is made of hypoallergenic and environmentally friendly materials.

When and at what age can the device be used?

Experts say that you can bathe your baby using the accessory in question from 1-2 months after birth. In this case, the umbilical wound should be healed.

It is believed that even if the wound has healed before the toddler reaches a month, you can safely introduce him to water and a bathing circle. During the procedure, do not try to immediately completely immerse your child in water. The baby can be very scared.

To begin with, you can introduce the boy or girl to the device outside the water. Let the baby look at it, touch it with her hands, and get used to the smell.

Many parents are interested in whether it is possible to use an accessory if the child has not learned to hold his head up? According to the instructions for use, the collar fixes the head, so it can be used even in this case. The neck muscles will not be under stress, so the baby will not be harmed.

Up to what age can it be used?

Having figured out from how many months the device is allowed, we will find out up to what age it can be used. The swim collar can be used for children under two years of age. You can take the device with you to the pool, on a pen or to the sea. This device will ensure the safety of your baby. Despite this, do not leave your child alone for a second.

You might be interested in: Nozzle ejectors for newborns

What are the health benefits?

Studies have shown that a bathing circle not only ensures safety during water procedures, but also has a beneficial effect on the health of the newborn.

Let's look at what the benefits are:

• Improving the functioning of the baby's respiratory system.
• Strengthening the muscular framework, in particular the back muscles.
• Improving the functioning of the immune system.
• Improving the nervous system.
• Establishing metabolic processes in the body.
• Prevention and auxiliary treatment of constipation and colic.
• Stabilization of the baby's intracranial pressure.
• Normalizing the process of falling asleep and improving sleep quality.
• Decreased muscle tone.
• Improving motor skills and coordination.
• Stimulation of sitting and walking skills.

It is important to know that for absolutely healthy babies the circle will be extremely beneficial. Negative consequences can develop if the accessory is used incorrectly or if the baby has contraindications to its use.

You cannot carry out water procedures if the baby is in a bad mood, hungry, sick or wants to sleep. This will only bring emotional discomfort and harm to the baby’s health. It is better to bathe your baby before bedtime, when he is cheerful and ready for active swimming.

Contraindications

It would seem that such a simple and harmless device for children should not have any contraindications, but this is far from the case. In some conditions of the baby, using the device is strictly prohibited.

So, you can’t swim with a circle in the following situations:

• Rashes in a newborn in the neck, chin and back.
• Diseases or developmental abnormalities of the respiratory system.
• Congenital genetic pathologies.
• Viral infections, in particular acute respiratory viral infections, acute respiratory infections and influenza.
• Various infectious diseases.
• Injuries in a newborn received during childbirth.
• Purulent lesions in the back, neck and chin.
• Hydrocephalus.
• Violation of muscle tone (increased or decreased).
• Epidermolysis bullosa.

If the baby suffers from other diseases not included in this list, the decision to use the circle should be made by the parents together with the pediatrician. Only careful attention to the health of the little one will help prevent various complications.

Rules for using the device

Babies need to wear a children's swim ring correctly. The child needs to put on the accessory before he gets into the water. It is strictly forbidden to do this in the bathroom.

Each manufacturer includes instructions for use with their device. They are as follows:

1. Inflate the circle and carefully check it for damage. This can be done by placing it in water for a minute. If there are no air bubbles, then it is intact.
2. The device should be washed with warm water and soap and dried well.
3. To put on the collar, you need to lay the baby on his stomach and carefully fasten the device.
4. Mom must make sure that the little one’s chin is in the recess specially designed for this.

Before immersing your baby in water, you should assess his level of comfort. If the baby is cheerful, not capricious, or bending over, it’s quite possible to start swimming. Using the accessory is not difficult; one person can do it by placing the newborn on his lap. In this case, water procedures can be carried out both in a small and in a large bath.

If you can’t put on the circle yourself, you can ask your loved ones for help. Over time, this skill will be easy to master.

Precautions during water procedures

The first use of the device among infants should be as careful as possible. You can't scare a baby. This is especially true for children under one year old. Their psyche is not yet stable, so it can be easily traumatized.

How long should bathing last? The total procedure time should be no more than 10-15 minutes. You can gradually increase the length of time the baby stays in the water. If the baby is active and moves well, you can continue the session.

If activity decreases, it is better to stop the procedure.

Under no circumstances should a month-old toddler or older child be left alone. In addition, it is important to remember to comply with the following safety rules:

• The baby must be supervised at all times.
• The circle should not be inflated too much, because the device may burst, which will greatly frighten the baby.
• The water level in the bath should be such that the newborn’s feet do not touch the bottom.
• The device must be inflated without using a pump.
• Velcro should be fastened well so that it does not come undone during water procedures.
• It cannot be used at a depth of more than one meter.

The device should be stored in a dry place and away from sharp objects and heating devices. Do not fill the device with water. If damaged, the device cannot be repaired and must be replaced with a new one.

Choosing the right circle

It is recommended to buy a circle only in specialized stores. It is better to give preference to trusted companies. Reviews of doctors and users about them can be read on the Internet.

When choosing a collar, you must pay attention to the material from which it is made. These must be environmentally friendly and hypoallergenic materials.

At the time of purchase, do not hesitate to ask the seller to check the device for damage.

Never buy a circle that has an internal seam or a strong smell. A high-quality product should not have any odor or internal seams that could rub the baby’s neck.

Pros and cons of using

Before purchasing the device in question, parents should evaluate its positive and negative qualities. They can be found in the table.

The table shows that there are quite a lot of advantages and disadvantages. The decision about whether the baby needs such a device is made by the parents after consultation with the pediatrician.

Komarovsky's opinion

The famous children's doctor Evgeny Komarovsky expressed his opinion about the device in question. If you want to know him, watch this video.

Popular models

Today, manufacturers of children's products offer a huge selection of such devices. Let's look at a few models that are popular:

UVITON

A circle from Russian manufacturers that has won a lot of positive reviews. The device is convenient and practical. Even inexperienced parents can quickly master the rules of its operation.

A special chin insert ensures safety for the baby. Water does not enter the mouth and nose, which makes water procedures as comfortable as possible.

FLIPPER

This dual-chamber device has a high level of security. If one of the chambers is damaged, the second will prevent the baby from submerging under water. The collar is made of hypoallergenic and environmentally friendly material.

Inside the accessory there are colorful balls that create a fun atmosphere while swimming. Your little one will certainly appreciate this idea.

OJIO BABYKRUG

This product is made in China. The model is perfect for newborns, as it is lightweight, comfortable and safe. It can be used among children up to 12 kg.

A special fastener system prevents rubbing of the baby's neck, and the chin rest will prevent water from getting into the baby's mouth and nose. The circle is absolutely not dangerous for a newborn.

Price

You can buy a swimming collar at a wide range of prices, but you shouldn’t skimp here. On average, the price of such devices ranges from 400 to 1600 rubles. The quality will be appropriate. Before purchasing a product, carefully consider which collar your child needs.

Storage conditions

The collar should be stored down. To do this, use the original packaging or a special bag made of fabric or polyethylene. After water procedures, the device should be thoroughly dried and blown off. Do not store it near heating devices or together with piercing and cutting objects.

Let's sum it up

A neck circle for bathing newborns is a very convenient device that makes the life of parents much easier. This device has quite a lot of pros and cons. In addition, before purchasing, you should make sure that your baby has no contraindications to its use.

More information on the topic of interest can be obtained by watching this video.

Source: https://malishzdorov.com/uhod/krug-dlya-kupaniya-novorozhdennyh.html

How to prepare a child for lap swimming?

Before putting the circle on, introduce your child to a new toy. A few days before the first lesson, the baby should be shown it. If this is a very small child, hold the circle in front of him, shake it so that the rattles ring, let’s touch it. If the child is older, put him in your hands, let him feel, touch, and examine the unfamiliar device.

When the baby begins to recognize the toy, you can start bathing with him. It is important to remember that wearing it in water is prohibited. In a room or bath, you first need to dress the baby, and then lower him into the water.

If the child resists, is capricious, or is completely hysterical, do not insist on bathing. Quickly and carefully remove the accessory and calm the baby. It is better to postpone swimming to the next day.

The reason for such a reaction may be a sudden pain in the tummy (gaziki), and not an attitude towards the circle; proof of this will be a calm reaction to putting on the circle the next day. Otherwise, it is better to put the device aside for a while until the baby forgets about it, and after two weeks try to introduce him to it again.

What are the dangers?

• It will be terribly scary to put on a circle for a baby who cannot hold his head up. Even together;
• The child may slip out of the circle. To make swimming safe, you need to buy a circle according to size;
• There is an 80% chance that he will splash water on both you and the floor. It can be experienced;
• A child may refuse to wear a circle around his neck due to inconvenience. For us, this happened at about seven or eight months. But at this age the need for a circle disappears. After all, the baby can already sit on his own.
• You need to make sure that no water gets into the circle. If the child swims actively, water may accumulate in the flat part of the circle. It needs to be poured out periodically or removed by hand.

How to bathe a child correctly?

Swimming with a circle is a very useful and exciting activity for a child. It is important to organize the procedures correctly so that the baby does not refuse, but rather enjoys spending time in the bathroom with a circle.

For the first time, don’t get too carried away—ten minutes will be enough. It is necessary to let the child get used to the bathing circle, because when bathing in it, he spends much more energy than in his mother’s arms.

Dangling arms and legs, trying to move independently, the child is exhausted. Such loads should be gradual.

Using a circle for bathing is not only safe for the baby’s health, but also beneficial for his development. Strengthening muscles and improving metabolic processes accelerate his physical development, and the child begins to take his first steps much earlier than his peers. Thanks to the circle, the child can move freely in the bathtub, and parents have their hands free, which allows them to increase the time allocated for water procedures.

It is no secret that manufacturers of a wide variety of products actively take advantage of the desire of parents to give their baby everything that will help him be healthy, beautiful and smart. Designer clothes, shoes made using space technology, educational games. And now a fashionable novelty: a newborn child prodigy swims with the help of a special inflatable ring placed around his neck. Are there any benefits from such bathing and how to properly organize swimming in the bathroom for children?

Pediatricians have been promoting early swimming training for infants for over 60 years. It is difficult to find a more suitable way for children to harden, strengthen the musculoskeletal system, develop the vestibular system and the ability to control their body. An inflatable circle for swimming babies will help normalize muscle tone, especially if the child’s muscular dystonia is not organic, but functional in nature. It often occurs when using a pillow to sleep, during the child’s first attempts to sit down or stand up, especially if he is “hurried” by his parents prematurely.

Hypertonicity in newborns may be a consequence of immaturity of the nervous system and excessive excitability. Regular swimming, not only in the pool, but also in the bathroom at home, will help relieve stress and improve sleep, even without medications.

What is the difference between an inflatable circle for bathing babies and the usual “rescue” ones?

Firstly, it is placed around the child's neck

. Thanks to this, no matter the position of the baby’s body, his head is always above the water.

Secondly, along the inner circumference of the circle there is a special wide platform for the chin, which does not allow the baby to press it to the chest, risking choking. This is very important, since in children up to at least three months of age, flexor hypertonicity is observed. That is, the baby is constantly trying to take the position in which he was in his mother’s womb: bending his legs, arms and head and bringing them to his tummy. Practical advice: Always ensure that splashing water does not accumulate on the chin rest.

Thirdly, the inflatable circle for bathing babies is securely fastened at the back with fasteners made of adhesive tape.

They can also be used to adjust the tightness of the neck coverage. But it is important to remember that the free ends of the circle must be pressed against each other, otherwise there is a risk that the child will choke when swimming in a supine position.

Where to buy a circle and how to choose?

Newborn bathing circles look exactly the same. I had three, two of which were given to us. I bought one myself.

I advise you to choose not based on funny pictures and the presence of loud details. They are not needed, the child has no time for them. It is best to focus on size. There are two types of circles: from 0 to 3 months and from 3 to 6 months. You don’t need to expect that your baby will grow up quickly and the circle will be just the right size. Take the smallest one, otherwise there is a risk of choking for the child. As you get older, you may need a larger circle, or you may not.

In stores, children's goods are two and even three times more expensive than, say, on Aliexpress. Here you can find swimming circles for 260-350 rubles.

Here are some links:

https://ali.pub/3ddx6v

https://ali.pub/3ddxhy

https://ali.pub/3ddxln

However, there is a risk of receiving a defective product. You will return the money through the Aliexpress support service, but you will lose time. If you purchase in advance, there will be no problem.

Any neck bathing ring may be uncomfortable for your baby. This criterion needs to be tested in practice.

How to put on an inflatable ring for swimming

1. Inflate the circle as described in the instructions for its use.
It should not be overly elastic. As a rule, safe products have several valves for air supply, which must be “recessed” inside.

2. The child must sit or stand facing the adult who is putting on the inflatable bathing ring for him.

This way you can easily check that the special recess is located exactly under the baby’s chin. In addition, it is important to monitor the baby's reaction when fastening the Velcro so as not to put too much pressure on the neck.

3. Stretch the free ends of the circle so that the child’s neck can fit between them and put it on.

The younger the child, the more difficult it is for an adult to do this alone, especially if the baby cannot yet sit steadily on his own. Moreover, you often have to not only simultaneously stretch the circle and hold the baby’s body, but also lift his head by the chin in order to close the mouth that opened at the wrong time. After all, the baby so wants to try everything by heart.

4. Continuing to hold the child’s head in a slightly raised position by the chin, fasten the Velcro at the back. At the same time, make sure that there is a very small gap (about 3 mm) between the inner edges of the circle and the baby’s neck. In this position, while swimming, water will not leak out, and the trachea and blood vessels will not be compressed.

Is it useful to swim with a circle?

A child's muscles become stronger long before he can sit up on his own.

The benefits of an inflatable neck ring for bathing newborn babies are not limited to mechanical support of the head above the water. It has a number of positive influences. During water procedures, the baby is in a semi-sitting position and can take it even before he learns to sit. The muscles become accustomed to a vertical position and become stronger. But this happens in water, where the load is less, so there is no overvoltage. Such bathing is an adequate workout for the back and neck before a vertical position. Babies begin to hold their heads up, sit and walk earlier.

The second positive point is related to the fact that parents do not need to hold the child in their arms all the time, which means that interaction with water can be made longer. This has a positive effect on the immune system, because bathing is a strengthening procedure. Even warm water trains the baby’s thermoregulation system, and when you have the opportunity to splash around in it longer, the effect is stronger. It is important that after the bath the baby remains warm - in a warm room or under a blanket.

Playing in the water has a relaxing effect and makes it much easier to fall asleep afterward. Healthy sleep has a positive effect on intracranial pressure, the development of the nervous system, and the child’s behavior. There is evidence that swimming with an inflatable structure reduces the likelihood of intestinal colic and constipation. The main beneficial effect of such procedures is general strengthening.

The circle cannot be used in the following cases:

• the doctor forbade swimming;
• the baby has a cold, feels unwell, is capricious;
• there are injuries to the neck, head or back;
• muscle tone is impaired.

In all these cases, water will not benefit the baby, and a special device will only enhance the negative effect. Any doubts should be resolved by a doctor. In any case, the baby should not be left unattended in the water.

How to organize children's swimming in the bathroom

There are no fundamental differences between the basic principles of organizing swimming and bathing children. You just need to more thoroughly wash and rinse the walls of the bathroom from detergent and make sure that there are no drafts in the room. If your baby likes to frolic in the water for a long time, it should be 1-2 degrees cooler so as not to cause overheating.

If your child is sleeping poorly or has difficulty falling asleep, it is recommended that you plan to bathe your child in a bubble bath in the evening. Water will provide the necessary emotional release, bring pleasure and bring a feeling of fatigue. Sleep after swimming will become stronger and more peaceful.

How to use the product

The circle can be inflated without the help of a pump

The right time for bathing is in the evening before bed, an hour after feeding. At this time, the baby is full, cheerful, active and least likely to be capricious.

It’s easy to put a children’s swimming circle around your neck:

1. Inflate the circle if it is stored in a deflated state.
2. Unfasten the clasp and put it on the child.
3. Make sure that the head is secured by the collar and that the chin is in the notch.
4. Fasten the clasp.

All manipulations are performed before the baby is immersed in the water.

The new device needs to be checked for integrity - inflated and lowered into the bath. If the circle floats on the surface, it is intact; if air bubbles come from it, it is damaged. The next step is to wash it with warm water and soap and dry it, after which you can store it. Washing and checking for integrity should be done after each bath. You can store the circle inflated or deflated; it is important to do this in a dry and clean place, and protect it from mechanical damage (especially pets). It cannot be repaired, filled with water, or inflated too much.

Before the first bath, the baby needs to be introduced to a new object - let him play, look at it, get used to the sight and smell. There is no need to rush this process - let bathing bring only positive emotions.

Which children should not wear a neck ring for swimming?

Despite the undeniable benefits of water procedures, it is not recommended to use an inflatable circle for swimming:

• with increased intracranial pressure: with hypertensive-hydrocephalic syndrome, with viral infections;
• in the recovery period after birth trauma: fracture of the clavicle, damage to the brachial plexus with the development of plexitis;
• with congenital epidermolysis bullosa, in which even slight friction against the skin of an inflatable ring can cause the formation of extensive wounds;
• if there are even single pustular elements on the neck, the contraindication is temporary, until recovery.

In these cases, it is better to use the old proven method of supporting children on the water - the hands of parents.

Greetings, most caring mothers! I recently came across a video on YouTube of another program by the well-known Dr. Komarovsky. He, as always, amazed me with his innovative approach...

It turned out that what I knew about water procedures with babies under one year old is complete nonsense! I am shocked!!! Komarovsky talks about bathing newborns in a completely new way. Maybe you don’t know about its principles either? If yes, then sit back and read carefully;)

Ask your beloved older friend (mom or caring granny) about how to properly wash the doll. Have you already asked? I, too, at one time had the imprudence to follow their “sadistic” advice.

In the program, by the way, these famous “rituals with a tambourine” over the baby were also mentioned. Remember where to start?

The entire “bathing” process should take no more than 5 minutes!

I’m ashamed to admit that I, an advanced young mother, was engaged in such nonsense. I remember how I placed this not too small bathtub near the fireplace in the room, ran around with buckets of water, measured the temperature with my elbow to make sure it was “warm” and did many other stupid things.

I didn’t even suspect that the warm and pleasant temperature on my elbow was, to put it mildly, not very comfortable for babies. Komarovsky generally broke the stereotypes in my head about the first water procedures:

• The water should NOT be 37 C;
• The room should NOT be preheated;
• Use shampoos and soaps NOT more than once a week;
• There is NO need to boil water;
• DO NOT add herbs and potassium permanganate to the bath;
• A special baby bath is NOT required.

This entire list made me happy and sad at the same time. It turns out that bathing a newborn is not such a difficult task as I thought. But at the same time, it’s a pity that I found out about all this so late, because my baby doll is already more than 4 years old.

But if your little one is less than a year old, then you have every chance to truly enjoy an evening “bath” with your kinder.

Why did I choose a circle for swimming, and how did it end?

I repeat, two years ago there was no fashion for infant swimming. A year ago, it was impossible to find a single decent article on this topic. Naturally, we chose the circle as a safe alternative to the baby bath. And... they didn’t regret it.

The advantages of a neck circle for swimming newborns are obvious:

• the child swims from birth;
• the child is not afraid of water;
• it is possible to fully wash it even on your own without the help of dad or grandma;
• swimming in a large bathtub causes a cascade of various pleasant emotions in the baby;
• the child learns to control his legs and arms and does it much faster than without swimming;
• Mom can relax, sitting next to her, or entrusting the process to dad.

For women suffering from back and neck pain, a bathing circle is not just good, but the only solution. You can praise infant swimming as much as you like, but if you have scoliosis or osteochondrosis, then you definitely won’t like standing in the pose of a sea animal over the bathtub, straining your upper body. Why create additional burden for yourself? Healthy and desperate women can try anything. My back and I breathed a sigh of relief, thanks to the opportunity to bathe the child while sitting with a minimum of effort.

Clean baby without “detergents”

You, too, before the arrival of your heir or heiress, bought half of the pharmacy,

sweeping away from the display case children's shampoos “without tears”, shower gels that do not irritate the skin, creams, etc.? I - yes!

Thoroughly, every other day, I rinsed my poor little one with all these expensive developments of pediatric scientists.

How much money was thrown away is simply terrible! Where was this Komarovsky before?

Why didn’t our local pediatricians tell us that there was no need for all this?!

In fact, for the cleanliness and health of the delicate skin of a baby, the following kit is quite enough:

1. A universal shampoo-gel for the body, which can be used to wash your hair and everything else, or you can take simple baby soap;
2. Wet wipes;
3. Diaper cream, powder or starch;
4. Baby oil for creases.

Look at the wide range of children's cosmetics for bathing and after bathing. Read reviews from other moms

and choose the best for your baby.

It is enough to use shampoo and soap once a week or two, you can wipe your butt and genitals with napkins, and use creams and oils only when necessary. For example, if you notice diaper rash in the groin area, or dryness in the folds of the legs and arms. As you can see, caring for a child is not such a complicated process as wise mothers and grandmothers told us about.