As your little one takes their first splash in the pool, you might notice them squinting or rubbing their eyes. Chlorine and saltwater can be uncomfortable, leaving you wondering: should they wear swimming goggles? While goggles can protect their delicate eyes, they might also prevent your child from fully adjusting to the water. Let’s dive into the pros and cons to help you decide when and if goggles are the right choice for your child.
Pros of Introducing Goggles Early:
Comfort and Eye Protection
Chlorine, saltwater, and pool debris can irritate sensitive eyes, leaving children rubbing their eyes or feeling uncomfortable. Goggles act as a barrier, reducing redness, stinging, or discomfort, especially during long swimming sessions or lessons.
Improved Focus During Lessons
Clearer underwater vision allows children to concentrate on swimming techniques without being distracted by blurry or stinging eyes. For those learning to swim, this added focus can significantly improve progress and confidence.
Encourages Confidence and Enjoyment
Goggles can help hesitant swimmers feel safer and more willing to put their face in the water. By eliminating discomfort, they create a positive association with swimming, which is especially helpful for building water confidence in nervous children.
UV Protection for Outdoor Swimming
Goggles with UV-blocking lenses provide an extra layer of protection for children swimming outdoors, shielding their eyes from harmful sun exposure. This is particularly important during summer months or on holiday.
Cons of Introducing Goggles Early
Dependency on Goggles
One of the biggest concerns with introducing goggles too early is that children may become reliant on them. In situations where goggles aren’t available (e.g., pool playdates, beach outings, or emergencies), this dependency could make them hesitant or uncomfortable in the water.
Hinders Natural Adaptability
Feeling water on their face is a crucial part of developing resilience and water confidence. Over-relying on goggles might delay a child’s ability to adjust to the sensation of water in their eyes, which is an important skill for water safety.
Fit and Comfort Challenges
Poorly fitting goggles can cause more problems than they solve. Straps that are too tight may leave marks or cause discomfort, while loose-fitting goggles may leak, fog up, or constantly slip off. These issues can frustrate young swimmers and disrupt lessons.
Expense and Maintenance
High-quality goggles with features like UV protection, anti-fog coating, and adjustable straps can be pricey, especially for growing children who need frequent replacements. Additionally, poorly maintained goggles can lose their effectiveness, requiring regular cleaning and care.
Potential for Distraction
Some children may find the sensation of wearing goggles uncomfortable or distracting, especially if they’re not used to the feeling of a tight strap or pressure around their eyes.
So Should You Introduce Goggles To Your Baby or Toddler?
For the vast majority of babies and toddlers, swimming goggles aren’t necessary. Experts in early childhood swimming agree that allowing children to experience water naturally—feeling it on their face, splashing, and even occasionally getting water in their eyes—is crucial for building water confidence and adaptability.
Water is an unfamiliar sensation for young children, and adapting to it requires time and practice. By introducing goggles too early, you may unintentionally create a dependency that prevents your child from learning essential skills, such as opening their eyes underwater or staying calm during unexpected splashes.
At this age, allowing water to touch their face helps them build natural confidence in the water. Instead of goggles, you can rinse their eyes with fresh water after swimming to minimise irritation. Dr. Heather Fuselier, a water safety specialist, advises parents to focus on short, playful sessions that help toddlers feel comfortable with water on their face before introducing any swimming aids like goggles.
Goggles may be beneficial if they are sensitive to chlorine or saltwater. However, it’s important to introduce goggles gradually and ensure your child has plenty of opportunities to swim without them. This balance will help them build resilience while still enjoying the protection goggles offer.