Swimming - Infant Care (up to 18 months old) Message Board

daisychain_0506 · 07-27-2007, 12:45 PM

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

catharine101 · 07-27-2007, 01:46 PM

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!!

xinerevelle · 07-27-2007, 03:48 PM

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.

Tiff24 · 07-27-2007, 06:42 PM

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.

BioAdoptMom3 · 07-27-2007, 10:14 PM

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