Near-Drowning or Water Submersion in Baby
Medically reviewed by Dr. Michael Okonkwo, MD, FAAP · Board-Certified Neonatologist
Content reviewed against published AAP, CDC, AAP guidelines
Last reviewed:
If your baby has been diagnosed with or you suspect near-drowning or water submersion in baby, here is what the evidence says.
The short answer
Any submersion or near-drowning event in a baby or toddler is a medical emergency requiring immediate evaluation, even if your child appears fine afterward. Drowning is the leading cause of death in children ages 1-4. If your child was submerged and is not breathing, call 911 and begin CPR immediately. Even if your child was briefly submerged and seems completely normal afterward, they should be evaluated in the emergency room because complications (pulmonary edema) can develop hours later. There is no safe amount of unsupervised time near water for young children.
Key takeaways
- Any submersion or near-drowning event in a baby or toddler is a medical emergency requiring immediate evaluation, even if your child appears fine afterward. Drowning is the leading cause of death in children ages 1-4. If your child was submerged and is not breathing, call 911 and begin CPR immediately. Even if your child was briefly submerged and seems completely normal afterward, they should be evaluated in the emergency room because complications (pulmonary edema) can develop hours later. There is no safe amount of unsupervised time near water for young children.
- Usually normal when: There is no "normal" or "wait and see" situation after a submersion event - always seek medical evaluation
- Call your doctor if: Your child was submerged in water and is not breathing - call 911 and begin CPR immediately
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What Parents Should Know
According to AAP, CDC guidelines, any submersion or near-drowning event in a baby or toddler is a medical emergency requiring immediate evaluation, even if your child appears fine afterward. Drowning is the leading cause of death in children ages 1-4. If your child was submerged and is not breathing, call 911 and begin CPR immediately. Even if your child was briefly submerged and seems completely normal afterward, they should be evaluated in the emergency room because complications (pulmonary edema) can develop hours later. There is no safe amount of unsupervised time near water for young children. At 0-12 months, babies can drown in as little as 1-2 inches of water. Bathtubs, buckets, toilets, and even pet water bowls are hazards. Never leave a baby unattended in or near water, even for a moment. Bath seats and rings are NOT safety devices - babies have drowned in them when a caregiver stepped away. If your baby has a submersion event: if not breathing, start CPR and call 911. If breathing, still go to the emergency room for evaluation. Watch for coughing, difficulty breathing, lethargy, or behavior changes in the hours following any water incident. It is generally considered normal when there is no "normal" or "wait and see" situation after a submersion event - always seek medical evaluation. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if your child was submerged in water and is not breathing - call 911 and begin CPR immediately.
Normal vs. Concerning
When to Seek Immediate Care
- Your child was submerged in water and is not breathing - call 911 and begin CPR immediately
- Your child was submerged and is now coughing, gagging, or having any difficulty breathing
- Your child was submerged and is lethargic, vomiting, or acting abnormally
- Any submersion event, even if your child seems completely fine afterward - go to the ER for monitoring
By Age
What to expect by age
0-12 months
Babies can drown in as little as 1-2 inches of water. Bathtubs, buckets, toilets, and even pet water bowls are hazards. Never leave a baby unattended in or near water, even for a moment. Bath seats and rings are NOT safety devices - babies have drowned in them when a caregiver stepped away. If your baby has a submersion event: if not breathing, start CPR and call 911. If breathing, still go to the emergency room for evaluation. Watch for coughing, difficulty breathing, lethargy, or behavior changes in the hours following any water incident.
1-3 years
Toddlers are at the highest risk for drowning due to their mobility, curiosity, and lack of judgment. Pools, bathtubs, and natural bodies of water are the most common drowning locations. If your toddler has a near-drowning event: call 911 if they are not breathing and begin CPR. Even if your child was only briefly submerged and seems fine, seek emergency medical evaluation. Warning signs to watch for in the hours after any submersion event include: persistent coughing, difficulty breathing, chest pain, vomiting, unusual sleepiness, or behavior changes. These may indicate water in the lungs that needs treatment.
What to Tell Your Pediatrician
- Describe when you first noticed near-drowning or water submersion in baby and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if any submersion event should be evaluated in the emergency room, not at a routine office visit.
- Let your doctor know if you have noticed any related concerns, such as changes in feeding, sleep, or movement patterns.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- There is no "normal" or "wait and see" situation after a submersion event - always seek medical evaluation
- Any submersion event should be evaluated in the emergency room, not at a routine office visit
- Your child was submerged in water and is not breathing - call 911 and begin CPR immediately
- Your child was submerged and is now coughing, gagging, or having any difficulty breathing
- Your child was submerged and is lethargic, vomiting, or acting abnormally
- Any submersion event, even if your child seems completely fine afterward - go to the ER for monitoring
What You Can Do at Home
- Keep track of when you notice near-drowning or water submersion in baby — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
- Remember that there is no "normal" or "wait and see" situation after a submersion event - always seek medical evaluation — this is generally within the range of normal.
- At 0-12 months, focus on observation rather than intervention unless your pediatrician advises otherwise.
- Follow any care instructions from your pediatrician. Keep a written log of symptoms to bring to appointments.
- While monitoring at home, seek immediate care if your child was submerged in water and is not breathing - call 911 and begin CPR immediately.
Related Conditions
Baby Choking or Coughing on Milk or Liquids
It is common for babies to occasionally cough, sputter, or have milk come out of their nose during feeding, especially in the early weeks. This usually happens because of a fast milk flow (letdown), an immature swallowing coordination, or feeding in a position that is too reclined. Occasional choking episodes during feeding that resolve quickly are usually not serious. Adjusting feeding position, pacing the feed, and using a slower-flow nipple can help.
Essential First Aid Kit for Baby and Toddler
Every family with a baby or toddler should have a well-stocked first aid kit. Essential items include: a digital rectal thermometer (most accurate for babies), infant acetaminophen (Tylenol), infant ibuprofen (for 6 months+), saline nasal drops, a nasal aspirator/NoseFrida, antibiotic ointment (bacitracin), petroleum jelly, hydrocortisone cream (1%), adhesive bandages, gauze and medical tape, a dosing syringe (not a kitchen spoon), Poison Control number (1-800-222-1222), and your pediatrician's after-hours number. Keep medications locked away from children and check expiration dates regularly.
Related Resources
Frequently asked questions
Is near-drowning or water submersion in baby normal?
When should I call the doctor about near-drowning or water submersion in baby?
When is near-drowning or water submersion in baby normal?
What causes near-drowning or water submersion in baby?
What should I mention to my pediatrician about near-drowning or water submersion in baby?
Is near-drowning or water submersion in baby normal at 0-12 months?
Is near-drowning or water submersion in baby normal at 1-3 years?
Should I go to the ER for near-drowning or water submersion in baby?
Does near-drowning or water submersion in baby go away on its own?
References
Doctor Visit Checklist
Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss Near-Drowning or Water Submersion in Baby.
Things to mention
- Describe when you first noticed near-drowning or water submersion in baby and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if any submersion event should be evaluated in the emergency room, not at a routine office visit.
- Let your doctor know if you have noticed any related concerns, such as changes in feeding, sleep, or movement patterns.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
Observations to share
- Any submersion event should be evaluated in the emergency room, not at a routine office visit
Urgent signs to report immediately
- Your child was submerged in water and is not breathing - call 911 and begin CPR immediately
- Your child was submerged and is now coughing, gagging, or having any difficulty breathing
- Your child was submerged and is lethargic, vomiting, or acting abnormally
My notes
From ismybabyalright.com — free, evidence-based baby health guides
All content follows our editorial policy and is reviewed against published clinical guidelines.
2,705 evidence-based guides6 authoritative medical sources5 medical advisory board members
Related Resources
Bottom line
Most cases of near-drowning or water submersion in baby are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if your child was submerged in water and is not breathing - call 911 and begin cpr immediately.
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician. Worrying about your baby means you care — that is a good thing.
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Related Medical Concerns
Baby Choking or Coughing on Milk or Liquids
It is common for babies to occasionally cough, sputter, or have milk come out of their nose during feeding, especially in the early weeks. This usually happens because of a fast milk flow (letdown), an immature swallowing coordination, or feeding in a position that is too reclined. Occasional choking episodes during feeding that resolve quickly are usually not serious. Adjusting feeding position, pacing the feed, and using a slower-flow nipple can help.
Essential First Aid Kit for Baby and Toddler
Every family with a baby or toddler should have a well-stocked first aid kit. Essential items include: a digital rectal thermometer (most accurate for babies), infant acetaminophen (Tylenol), infant ibuprofen (for 6 months+), saline nasal drops, a nasal aspirator/NoseFrida, antibiotic ointment (bacitracin), petroleum jelly, hydrocortisone cream (1%), adhesive bandages, gauze and medical tape, a dosing syringe (not a kitchen spoon), Poison Control number (1-800-222-1222), and your pediatrician's after-hours number. Keep medications locked away from children and check expiration dates regularly.
My Baby's Head Shape Looks Abnormal
Many babies develop temporary head shape irregularities that are completely normal. A cone-shaped head from vaginal delivery reshapes within days. Mild positional flattening (plagiocephaly) from sleeping on the back is very common and usually improves with repositioning and tummy time. However, head shape changes involving ridges, a persistently bulging fontanelle, or rapid head growth changes should be evaluated to rule out craniosynostosis.
Achondroplasia (Dwarfism) in Babies
Achondroplasia is the most common form of short-limbed dwarfism, affecting about 1 in 15,000 to 40,000 births. It is caused by a mutation in the FGFR3 gene and is usually apparent at birth with characteristic features including short limbs, a larger head, and a prominent forehead. Intelligence is normal. With monitoring for specific complications and supportive care, children with achondroplasia lead full, active, and independent lives.
Adenoid Hypertrophy and Breathing
Adenoids are lymphoid tissue located behind the nose that help fight infection in young children. When adenoids become enlarged (adenoid hypertrophy), they can block the nasal airway, causing chronic mouth breathing, snoring, nasal speech, and sleep-disordered breathing. Enlarged adenoids are most common between ages 2-7 and are a leading cause of obstructive sleep apnea in young children. Treatment ranges from watchful waiting and nasal steroids to surgical removal (adenoidectomy) if breathing or sleep is significantly affected.
Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) in Babies
X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) is a genetic disorder affecting about 1 in 17,000 newborns, caused by mutations in the ABCD1 gene on the X chromosome. It primarily affects boys and impairs the breakdown of very long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs), which accumulate and damage the myelin sheath in the brain and the adrenal glands. The most severe form, cerebral ALD, typically affects boys between ages 4-10 with rapid neurological decline. Newborn screening now enables early detection, and hematopoietic stem cell transplant or gene therapy performed before significant brain involvement can be life-saving.