Photo: cqnews.net

 

A man in Chongqing Municipality has been teaching his 5-month-old grandson to swim in the nearby Yangtze River, claiming it “makes the baby healthier”.

Every day for the past month, the man surnamed Lu brings grandson Wen Zixin to Binjiang Park, at the south bank of the Yangtze River, where he warms him up, helps him adapt to the water temperature and holds Wen as he floats with a rubber ring, reported the Chongqing Evening News on July 30.

The pair swims at most 10 meters away from the bank, where it’s just shallow enough for Lu to stand.

Baby Wen seemed happy and enjoyed his swimming session, said the report.

Despite the numerous reports of chemical and industrial waste dumped illegally into the Yangtze River on a daily basis, Lu, who previously worked at an aquarium, said his research indicates the water in the Yangtze is “beneficial for people to swim in.”

"My grandson used to be weak and often gets ill. I don't want to brag, but he has really become stronger after a month of swimming and seldom catches cold,” said Lu. “His weight has even increased from 6 to 9.5 kilograms over one month and his skin has become more moist and smooth," he added.
With dreams that his grandson will become a champion swimmer, Lu insists on training his grandson rain or shine, something that has raised objections from both family and experts.

"I was strongly against it because I think the water is too cold and dirty for my baby. But I could not convince my father and had to comprise," Wen's mother told the Chongqing Evening News during a telephone interview.

An employee at a monitoring station of the Chongqing Environmental Protection Bureau surnamed Zhang explained the water temperature of the Yangtze is too low for young babies.

Luo Xiaoyan, deputy director of dermatology at Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, strongly advised against swimming in rivers out of safety and health concerns.

"It’s good for Lu to train the baby to swim, but he is not fully aware of the potential medical risks. How can a baby swim in a river without protection for his ears, nose and other parts?" said Luo.

Web editor: liyingxa@globaltimes.com.cn

Photo: cqnews.net

Photo: cqnews.net

Photo: cqnews.net