The Birth Lounge Podcast

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As we head into another summer season, HeHe is bringing back one of the most important episodes in The Birth Lounge Podcast archive. Water safety is something she feels incredibly passionate about because drowning is often silent, fast, and far more common than most families realize. If you have children, spend time around pools, visit the beach, own a backyard pool, or simply want to be more prepared, this is information every caregiver needs to hear.

In this re-aired episode of The Birth Lounge Podcast, HeHe sits down with Tyler Bradshaw from Aqua-Tots Swim School for a conversation every parent, grandparent, and caregiver needs to hear. Because when it comes to water safety, most of us think it won't happen to our family... until it does.

Together, they unpack the sobering realities of childhood drowning, including where it most commonly happens, why it often occurs when adults are nearby, and the simple mistakes that can turn a fun day around water into an emergency. Tyler shares the statistics every parent should know, explains the difference between fatal and non-fatal drowning incidents, and clears up common misconceptions about "dry drowning."

HeHe and Tyler also dive into practical, actionable ways to reduce risk, including why designated water watchers matter, how distractions like phones can become dangerous around water, and the truth about puddle jumpers, floaties, and water wings. They discuss home pool safety, the best swimsuit colors for visibility, and what parents with multiple children can do to keep everyone safer during pool days.

You'll also learn why swim lessons are about so much more than learning strokes, how early children can start building water safety skills, and what progression through swim lessons actually looks like from infancy through childhood.

Whether you're heading into summer, planning pool days, vacationing near water, or simply wanting to be more prepared, this episode is packed with life-saving information that could make all the difference for your family.

00:00 Put the Phone Down
00:54 Partner as Birth Advocate
02:46 Father’s Day Dad Daze Deal
09:23 Why Water Safety Matters
13:10 Where Drowning Happens
15:05 Dry vs Nonfatal Drowning
17:30 Poolside Distractions
19:02 Water Watcher System
22:06 Floaties and False Security
26:22 Multiples and Home Pool Safety
32:17 Pool Alarms And Sensors
33:15 Highway Rule Pool Temptations
34:36 Fence Durability And Gate Safety
35:48 Why Swim Lessons Matter
39:31 Lesson Levels Skills And Wrap Up

Guest Bio:

Tyler Bradshaw is the owner of Aqua-Tots Swim School Norwood and a passionate advocate for childhood water safety and drowning prevention. Aqua-Tots is one of the largest providers of year-round swim instruction in the world, helping children as young as four months old build confidence and critical water safety skills. Through swim lessons, community outreach, and education, Tyler and the Aqua-Tots team are dedicated to helping families create safer experiences around water and empowering children with skills that can save lives.

LINKS MENTIONED:

Connect with Tyler at Norwood Aqua-Tots here!  http://aqua-tots.com/norwood

Find an Aqua-Tots near you! https://www.aqua-tots.com/

Social Media:

Connect with HeHe on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tranquilitybyhehe/

Connect with Aqua-Tots on IG: https://www.instagram.com/aquatotsofficial/

Connect with HeHe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hehestewart

BIRTH EDUCATION:

Learn how to stay in control of your birth and reduce the risk of unnecessary interventions in our Avoid a C-Section Webinar. HeHe breaks down the cascade of interventions, explains what’s really happening in the hospital, and shares practical strategies to protect your birth plan, advocate for yourself, and navigate labor with confidence. Perfect for anyone who wants a positive, informed hospital birth experience: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/csection

Feeling nervous about speaking up in labor? Our Scripts for Advocacy give you the exact words to handle the most common conversations that can make or break your birth experience. From declining unnecessary interventions to asking the right questions about procedures, these scripts empower you to stay in control, speak confidently, and protect your birth plan — even when the pressure is on. Think of it as your personal toolkit for advocating like a pro, so you can focus on your baby, not the stress: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/Scripts-for-Advocacy

And if you haven’t grabbed it yet…
Snag my free Pitocin Guide to understand the risks, benefits, and red flags your provider may not be telling you about, so you can make informed, powerful decisions in labor: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/pitocin

Join The Birth Lounge for judgment-free, evidence-based childbirth education from HeHe that shows you exactly how to navigate hospital policies, avoid unnecessary interventions, and have a trauma-free labor experience, all while feeling wildly supported every step of the way: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/

Want prep delivered straight to your phone?
Download The Birth Lounge App for bite-sized birth and postpartum tools you can use anytime, anywhere: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/app 

Key words:

Water Safety, Drowning Prevention, Kids Swim Lessons, Swimming Tips for Parents, Water Safety Tips, Child Swim Lessons, Summer Safety Tips, Pool Safety Tips, Accident Prevention, Water Safety Month, Child Safety