Swimming for Infants

Pools are fine, you just have to make sure they don't get cold (which means short periods of time in the pool). Newborns don't shiver (which is why they have "brown fat" which keeps them warm), so you have to watch their lips and movement. Our family starts swimming with infants as soon as their belly button falls off. But that first year is almost never over 30 minutes in a stretch, and in the beginning (even in heated pools) it's more like 10. What you look for is that they're *active* and splashing about happily, and that their lips are bright pink. Any slowing in activity level, or purpling of their lips (some babies continue to play happily even when getting chilled), and it's time to pull them out. Whenever you pull them out, DO keep them wrapped up and then skin to skin as soon as you warm up, because your baby will set their internal temp to match yours.

HOT TUBS, however are a completely different matter. Infants *cannot* regulate their internal temperature. Taking an infant into a hottub can spike a "fever" in them that matches the tub temp in under 5 minutes. I've seen babies in the ER with temps of 109 who were fully brain dead. Signs above hottubs *always* have warnings about not bringing infants and small children in (small children will also spike fevers to match the water temp, but it typically takes a little longer, like 10-15 minutes)... but I swear, I've had to talk to more parents while roadtripping (gently showing them the sign and explaining why) about hottubs... that I've started carrying a thermometer in my pool tote so parents don't have to run up to their rooms in a panic, but can check them right there. Each and every single time a baby has been temped last spring while kiddo and I were traveling, they've been between 103 &107.

I've taught swimming, here's my thoughts...

Recc age for swim lessons is 6 mos and older, but any age baby can go to a pool. They just probably don't get much out of it before 6 mos.

Attire: At minimum a swim diaper/rubber pants. I often buy a swimsuit tho. If we're in the sun at all, I always have a rash guard shirt on them and sun hat.

We usually also have a "coverup" - a hooded terry cloth "dress" that zips up or pulls over their heads. The key for keeping them warm after being in the pool is getting wet clothes off and getting a hood on their heads.

I wouldn't doubt they make baby wetsuits, but I've never owned on. I think the logic may be who would keep an infant in the water long enough to need one? They do make long pants, long sleeved swimwear that looks kind of like a wetsuit, more like a full body zip up swimsuit...try OneStepAhead.com.

FYI - if you are planning on bringing a baby in a pool, I strongly suggest showering them before you go in. The water helps to hydrate the skin so it doesn't absorb so much chlorinated water in the pool. And when you leave, shower them off immediately, don't let them dry with all those chemicals on their skin and plan to wash them at home. Use lotion to condition their skin after being in the chemicals - something thick like Eucerine. And gently tug on their ear lobes several times to release any water stuck inside to prevent an ear infection.

If I can be of any help, just ask. I've taught at a pool for years and have had my own kids in the water/swim lessons from about 6 mos on.

omg ,.. are you serious!?
it is ALWAYS safe. You just hold your baby and make sure it doesn't swallow water and you're fine. you do NOT have to purchase pricey one-use swim-diapers.. you can buy a reusable one that is made from terry-cloth insides, and a nylon outer shell (like boys swim-trunk material) because the point of them is JUST to hold in solids. Reusable or not, they don't prevent pee from going in the pool. Wetsuits are only if you're swimming in a COLD pool... and why would anyone do that? If you're going to a river or lake, then sure, you could seek a wetsuit for baby...

I took my babies to the pool and the reservoir for boating around 4 months or so and they did just fine. I just used swim diapers and a swim suit. Never thought of using a wet-suit. I just played in the water with them a bit (when they seemed like they were getting cold we got out) then I just wrapped them up in a towel and dried them good. Keep in mind I always went out when it was super warm so they didn't get too chilled, typically above 80 or 85 degrees.

Have fun.

I would not take a baby less than 5 or 6 months into a pool and not for very long maybe 10-15 mintues. Babies cannot regulate their own body temperature very well before the age of 12 months. I would also check the pool temperature if possible. I cannot remember the exact temp you should go by but if it isn't warm to you then it's too cold for the baby. Also suncreen should not be used on a child less than 6 months. After being in the pool the baby should be dried as much as possible, covered up and kept in the shade out of the sun.

I took my daughter in the pool for the first time at 3 months, I got her some little swimmers diapers and put her in a onesie. she goes in to the pool all the time now at 9 months and loves it! she already learned to kick her feet and everything and i think its because i took her in the pool so early.

After 4 months is what my Doctor told me. Yes they do make baby wet suits. All public pools will require a swim diaper of some sort to keep their pool clean. Find a pool that has a kiddy pool they usually keep them at a warmer temperatur, or better yet look for one that has a therapy pool (not a hot tub) as it is more the temperature of a bath.