Hello All,

I am just wondering when you first took your little ones swimming? Emily is 7wks old today and we are going to be in a hotel with a pool in a couple of weeks time and I'm just wondering if it is ok to take her in. She won't have had her shots yet, as that is the following week. I heard it's ok as the chemicals in the pool would kill anything in there.

Any input would be appreciated,

thanks :)

Hi there -

I took our baby girl swimming for the first time when she was able to hold her head up really well (forget the actual age!). At that age, we didn't keep her in too long, but she loved it. She's three now, and even though she wears water wings, she swims all over the pool without our help. She's a fish!!

Maybe it's just me, but I wouldn't do it at 7 weeks. They're just too little still, IMHO. I waited until about 6 months (but of course, that was the first opportunity, too.)

I think if it was my personal swimming pool at home I might have a little more lenient position, but a hotel pool is definitely not something I would try that young. And mind you, I'm pretty open about trying things... this is just one of those things that just doesn't feel right in my gut.

I have to agree with "xinerevelle". I just don't think I would do it, not in a hotel pool. Heck, I don't think I would swim in a hotel pool! :) I'm extremely paranoid about germs! My parents recently got a pool so hubby and I took our son swimming around 5 months. He's now 6 months and still LOVES it. He actually knows how to swim it's so funny! I'm sure your little one would be fine if you decide to put her in the pool. It's really about whether or not you feel comfortable with it.

I tend to be a bit more lenient about swimming. Before you leave, try a little bit of baby sunscreen on the top of her leg. If she doesn't break out from it (most do not), you can use it on her when you travel. We took our babies in our own pool from the time they were about two months old and they loved it. I would think the hotel pool, as long as it looks clear and clean, would be fine. Most hotels are very diligent about keeping the chlorine levels high enough to kill the germs. I would wash her off afterwards though just to keep her skin from drying out.

Have fun!

Nancy

Thanks for all your responses. I think I will just decide when we are there. It is an upscale hotel (my sister is travelling in the rockies and invited us to stay over for a night in their room which is a loft room). If the pool doesn't look clean though then I won't put her in (and I won't go in either!).

:D

I just know that hotel pools usually have a lot of chlorine and chemical in them because they are used so much and it takes more to keep them clean. I think 7 weeks is too young.

Although we all feel comfortable thinking the chemicals kill everything, the people responsible for the pool have to be doing things correctly. In Pa. this month several large outdoor pools have been shutdown b/c of people getting very sick from bacteria in the pools. These aren't public pools either, one was a brand new "YMCA". 7 weeks isn't too early to take a child in, I used to run swim lessons years ago and we did provide a mommy and me class for those who were interested in taking their infants in. Just know that you run a SMALL risk of infection.

i have no idea if 7 weeks is to young for swimming... both my kids were born in the winter, so the opportunity just didn't happen until they were 4-6 months! i just wanted to relate a story about my nephew, who's mom took him swimming at 5 weeks, and took extra caution to keep him out of the sun, they had a shade float, and when he was out of the pool he was under the umbrella and such... and the poor baby got fried anyway, because of the reflection from the sun on the water! anyway, if you do decide to take baby swimming, be careful in the sun!!!

It's an indoor pool so the sun isn't an issue. She loves her bath and definitely does more than just eat and sleep at this age. All the research I've done online seems to say that anytime after one month of age is ok. I am still hesitant and probably I won't take her in but I just wanted to see others opinions.

thanks

Well, just trust your gut (or mommy instinct) and you can't go wrong. ;)

Hey Daisy!!!
I took Cooper now 8 weeks in the heated pool at 4 weeks. He LOVED it!!! I put his diaper on him & a pair of swim trunks. Since then he has been in 5 more times. We stayed in for about 10 minutes. He also loves his nightly bath.

xoxo
Jenny

My daughter will be four months next week and I have an inground pool here at home but have yet to take her in. The information I was finding suggested waiting until six months of age because of their sensitive skin and the chemicals in the water. Chlorine can be harsh on your hair and can dry even my skin out, so it made me think twice because it would be even harsher on her skin. I've been very tempted to take her in because she loves her bath and because she is a hot box and would love to cool down, but I'm a first time mom and have decided to wait.

I do plan on taking a swimming class with her this winter after she is over six months. I know she won't actually learn to swim, but I figure it's a great activity for the winter months and will acclimate her to the pool for next summer when she'll be having lots of fun in the sun.

Good luck with whatever you decide! :)