From time to time (well, really all the time), I enjoy browsing through Lonely Planet's "
Kids to Go" thorn tree forum. I usually learn a lot and once in a while I read a post that conjures up an image that just makes my day. In this case, a poster asked the Thorn Tree forum where she should go snorkeling with an 18 month old baby in Feb. 2010. It seems that she and her husband like to snorkel so they are hoping their toddler will also like to snorkel.
It really wasn't her question that got me. I mean who am I to say that just because my 18 month old thinks wearing a hat is a form of torture that her toddler wouldn't tolerate a snorkel mask? No, it was the image of him wearing the snorkel mask in the first place that left me smiling at my desk for the rest of the day. Take a minute -- think about it -- go ahead and laugh.
In case you were wondering, snorkel mama received several very thorough responses to her question and I now know just where to go snorkeling with an 18 month old. See, you always learn something on the Thorn Tree!
So what do you think? Anyone hitting the beach this Labor Day with their baby, a snorkel mask and some fins?
August 26, 2008
Do they make snorkel masks for babies?
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3 comments:
You know I saw that post too, but I was a little less kind in my response (which was all in my mind, so I'm safe from seeming rude).
Snorkeling is hard for kids. I think it's really for 6 and up (and that's in shallow water where they can stand if they need to). Younger kids can be floated out on a boogie board with goggles, but even that is a little nutty in my experience.
I never thought of the boogie board approach. A friend also reminded me that there is little chance you can teach a baby to breathe through a snorkel. Most adults have a tough time with it!
Check out http://waterbabies.net/. Our son has been going for 6 months since he was 18 months, every saturday. He is almost 2 now. I would never guess he could dive under water and hold his breath. Enter the water by himself and hold on to the side of the pool on command. He loves doing bobs and diving under water and controlling his breathing. He even goes under to grab toys at his feet. We had to get him goggles after a month or so since he was so comfy going under water. He doesn't like going in the water without them now since hte clorine makes him rub his eyes all the time which slows him down. I had to get a pair myself so we could look at each other and play games under water. I'm going to go snorkeling with him in grand caymen. Not sure if I will do a snorkel since don't want to confuse his breathing control going underwater. He will certainly be doing bobs with me to go under and see fish, rays, etc in shallow safe areas.
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