No. It's not true that babies are born with the ability to swim, though they have reflexes that make it look like they are.

A reflex called the bradycardic response makes babies hold their breath and open their eyes when submerged in water, says Jeffrey Wagener, a pediatric pulmonologist in Colorado. (Parents can cause this same reaction by blowing in their baby's face, a response that disappears after about 6 months.

Also, until around 6 months, babies placed in water tummy down reflexively move their arms and legs in a swimming motion, which makes them look like natural swimmers.

"These reflexes don't mean the baby can swim, though," says Wagener.

Babies aren't old enough to hold their breath intentionally or strong enough keep their head above water. In addition to the risk of drowning, it's dangerous for an infant to swallow large amounts of pool water.

Still, many infant swim programs rely on these reflexes to help babies "swim." However, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) doesn’t recommend swimming programs for children younger than 1 year old.

After the age of 1, the AAP suggests checking with your child's doctor to find out if your baby is ready to participate in a swimming program. If she is, ask the doctor for a recommendation for the best type of program for your child's developmental level.

Even though your baby can't swim, some infants really enjoy splashing around in the water. So feel free to make playing in the pool a family affair – just stay hands-on whenever you take your baby into the water.