The newborn swimming area... surrounded by glass on three sides for viewing. See the cute "under the sea" themed decorating? This room contains six or eight deep, round tubs (see bottom left corner of picture), each for an individual baby to "swim" in. Two adults are allowed in this room with each newborn, all other visitors can watch through the windows.
The baby is completely undressed, a special seal is placed over their umbilical stump to keep it dry, and an circular float fastened around their neck. In this picture, my friend, the one wearing glasses, is peering over the shoulders of the nurses fitting the the float around her baby boy's neck.
Then it is swimming time! After the water temperature has been carefully checked, baby is set afloat in the tub. The tub wasn't filled very full, so the baby seemed to be far down in! All the babies "swimming" while we were there were quite peaceful. I'm sure it is a womb-like experience for them- aside from the plastic inflatable around their neck! My friend's little guy moved his legs around and floated quite happily.
After a short "swim", the baby is taken out and bundled up in a cozy towel, lotioned and powdered and diapered, and then fed something out of a little bitty cup by one of the nurses before being returned to his parents. For this whole experience, the new parents pay 50 RMB, about $7.I described this whole scene to Scott on the phone later in the day, before I got to show him these pictures. He said that if he hadn't already lived in China for a few years, he would swear I was making this up! It's just one of those things I don't picture happening in the West. But who knows, maybe it will catch on. :-)
6 comments:
Is this your old helper that had the baby? My friends continued to do the swimming experience at home. They also sell inflatable pools for babies to do in their home. It might be a good market to go into when you return to the US. :)
I remember the Plain Dealer highlighting newborn swimming back in the 60's. They would take a baby, no flotation device, put them under water, give them a little nudge, and they actually swam for a short distance underwater. I was so fascinated by it! They said they have a natural ability for it when they are newly born and then is the time to take advantage of it. This little guy looks so cute!
Wow! How neat! What is the purpose of this?
My friend who had the baby said it was for exercise, but my guess would be that it's to recreate the womb, floating in warm water. All the babies seemed to like it!
I also have read articles about newborns having an innate ability to swim. So interesting!
This is really strange. I'm incredulous that they put the floaty around their necks! The US is so choke conscious - this would absolutely never happen here unless the baby was fitted with a really crazy contraption that would prevent everything. :)And it would be very expensive. Wild.OIC.
Okay. I like to be open to counter-cultural experiences. I like to think that I am an open-minded person, in fact. That we can learn from difference. That difference is good.
But let me just say that I think this is flat-out weird.
Really Weird.
Post a Comment