Summer is just around the corner, which means they're going to be opening the public pools soon. I was wondering at what age a mother can introduce her infant to a pool.
Sunblock is safe at 6 months, water is always safe. Sometimes public pools can be breeding grounds for bacteria and such, but if you are confident that your pool is clean, i dont think age should be a factor.
When my son was about six months i took him in the pool with me and submerged his whole body. He loved it. Sometimes i see other people just sticking their babies toes in; that's fine too. Like BCPR said, the sun is more of a concern. Use sunblock.
I started taking my son to an indoor pool at 4 months. Babies are born knowing how to swim, and he loved it. I always kept my hand under him, but it was unnessary. They forget how to swim as the get older, but he loved it, and it was good for all of us. Hubby baby and I went, I got to work off baby weight, and play with my kids in the water. It was great.
I think they say no formal swimming lessons until 4 years old though, but taking them in the pool around 6 months (as long as you do it safely) seems fine. However ear infections are a big risk and swimmers ear and all that fun stuff.
I took Zoe to the "Y" when she was about four months old for infant swimming lessons (which consisted of us "grown ups" standing around holding the babies in the water talking about how cute they were in their swimming suites, but it was still cute).
I took Zoe to the "Y" when she was about four months old for infant swimming lessons (which consisted of us "grown ups" standing around holding the babies in the water talking about how cute they were in their swimming suites, but it was still cute).
Well I mean some people put their 2 years olds in indepedent swimming lessons which usually proves more detrimental than helpful. Infant swim "classes" are so adorable.
I took Julian swimming at about 4 mos, and he had a great time. He's 15 mos now, and LOVES pools. When he was little I made sure to keep his head way out of the water but now he likes splashing his face in the water.
My 6 month old loves getting in the pool, we've never been to a public pool though so I don't have any advice on that. My concerns would be the bacteria or the chemicals they use to clean it, though there probably isn't enough of either to do any damage.
I took my kid swimming ever since he was 4 months old or so--we had a community pool at our old apartment complex, and he loved it! I held him the whole time, though, and made sure he wore a wide-brimmed hat, spf 45 sunscreen, and a T-shirt as well as swimming trunks, and I gave him a bath every time we got out of the pool to get the chlorine and sunscreen off of his skin. Most babies love water--just be sure to supervise at all times, and as your child gets older and more independent, you'll want to buy a life jacket too. Have fun mama! :D
As a red cross certified swim coach and life guard.......
my biggest piece of advice is, ONLY one PERSON watching ONE kid AT ALL TIME.
There are too many accidents envolving too many people watching one or more kids.
Break up who's watching who and know your responsiblity.
I've seen too many people, who say, wait I was watching her, I though you were watching him...etc....
happens all the time.
ames
I agree with this 100% and NEVER EVER EVER turn you back, not even for a second. Im fixing to share something with you guys that is VERY VERY difficult for me....and is my worst failure as a mother.....When I was 19 and Destiny was 3 1/2 years old I was working as a nanny in Texas. I watched 2 children plus Destiny.
I took them swimming one day at an apartment swimming pool near the house. We swam for about 3 hours and then my phone started ringing. I told the kids to all get out of the water and get their shoes because it was time to leave. They all got out and I answered my phone. When I first picked up the phone Destiny was sitting beside me.....she took off her swimmies and then got up. It NEVER occured to me that she would get back into the water....I was on the phone 10 minutes. When I hung up I turned around and MY BABY was floating face down in the water.....I SCREAMED and ran.......I dont even remember how I got into the water but I must have fallen because later on I noticed my ripped up bruised knees...but I grabbed her and she felt like rubber......when I turned her over her face was blue and her stomach was an old purplish color. She was completely lifeless....I started screaming "NO GOD! DONT YOU DARE TAKE MY BABY. I CANT LIVE WITHOUT HER. I WILL HATE YOU DONT TAKE HER" I got her to the side of the pool and laid her on her back...but kind of tilted on her side towards me...I screamed HELP at the top of my lungs and then started performing mouth to mouth...DONT ask me how I did it because Ive never taken a CPR class in my life and Ive never done it in my life.....but it was like I became the same person as her. Talk about a mothers instincts. I would breathe into her mouth and It felt like taking air into my own lungs. I knew just how much to breathe and when to stop...and then I pushed in her chest.....Water POURED out of her mouth...I did it again.........same thing.....The whole time I had my hand on her tiny wrist trying to feel a pulse and convincing myself in my head that just because I couldnt feel it didnt mean that it wasnt there.....Between each breath, while I was pushing on her chest I was SCREAMING for help....Sometime after the third or fourth scream people started gathering around (we had been the only people at the pool)....One of the other kids I was watching had ran to the office and called 911....After about 10 repititions of breathing, pumping she started gurgling and coughing...she finally began breathing again and about a minute later she regained consciousness. We spent the night at the hospital that night. Me in the hospital bed with her on my chest. Anytime they tried to move her I wouldnt let them....The next day she was fine......as though nothing had ever happened. I cried for 3 days and still cry sometimes when I think about it. At the hospital they told me how wonderful I was and how I had saved my babys life......but she wouldnt have needed it saved if I had been watching her properly in the first place. I will NEVER get over the guilt....and I am thankful every day that she is still with me......so there is my story...out for anyone to criticize and condemn......just please let my mistake be a learning tool for other moms out there.......watch your kids in the pool.....PLEASE!
Wow, I don't even know what to say to that. All I can say is that, everyone makes mistakes. At least you didn't freeze up and do nothing, you saved your daughters life! With no training either, thats amazing. We all learn from our mistakes and no one is perfect, there is no such thing as the perfect parent.
As for the original post, I agree with the sunblock thing. My son loves the water, I first took him in when he was 7 months, he loved it. And I agree with MJ, always watch your kids around water, no matter what. Even if Brad Pitt approaches you :P, sorry thought i'd add a little humor. Didn't meant to offend anyone, if I did sorry.
We got the go-ahead to bring Cordie into our home pool when she was 3 weeks old as long as it was after sunset & we gave her a bath as soon as we got out. She loved it then and still does! Now I lather her up with sunscreen before we go in and make sure she wears a hat, but she enjoys it. :)
I practically Live in a pool so I'm hoping Aaiden will want to be a swimmer, The pools I swim in are actually pools owned by neighbours that are well maintained. I will not swim in a public Pool I had a friend have a cut get infected from a pool to the point of her hand was swollen so her fingers could Not move (happened over night!) So I'd suggest being VERY careful especialy with a young kiddo
Sunblock is safe at 6 months, water is always safe. Sometimes public pools can be breeding grounds for bacteria and such, but if you are confident that your pool is clean, i dont think age should be a factor.
When my son was about six months i took him in the pool with me and submerged his whole body. He loved it. Sometimes i see other people just sticking their babies toes in; that's fine too. Like BCPR said, the sun is more of a concern. Use sunblock.
I started taking my son to an indoor pool at 4 months. Babies are born knowing how to swim, and he loved it. I always kept my hand under him, but it was unnessary. They forget how to swim as the get older, but he loved it, and it was good for all of us. Hubby baby and I went, I got to work off baby weight, and play with my kids in the water. It was great.
I think they say no formal swimming lessons until 4 years old though, but taking them in the pool around 6 months (as long as you do it safely) seems fine. However ear infections are a big risk and swimmers ear and all that fun stuff.
I took Zoe to the "Y" when she was about four months old for infant swimming lessons (which consisted of us "grown ups" standing around holding the babies in the water talking about how cute they were in their swimming suites, but it was still cute).
Jenna's got a 2 piece, and it is insanley adorable. Everyone cracks up laughing when they see her in her swim suit.
Well I mean some people put their 2 years olds in indepedent swimming lessons which usually proves more detrimental than helpful. Infant swim "classes" are so adorable.
Okay, here's my two cents...
As a red cross certified swim coach and life guard.......
my biggest piece of advice is, ONLY one PERSON watching ONE kid AT ALL TIME.
There are too many accidents envolving too many people watching one or more kids.
Break up who's watching who and know your responsiblity.
I've seen too many people, who say, wait I was watching her, I though you were watching him...etc....
happens all the time.
ames
I took Julian swimming at about 4 mos, and he had a great time. He's 15 mos now, and LOVES pools. When he was little I made sure to keep his head way out of the water but now he likes splashing his face in the water.
My 6 month old loves getting in the pool, we've never been to a public pool though so I don't have any advice on that. My concerns would be the bacteria or the chemicals they use to clean it, though there probably isn't enough of either to do any damage.
I took my kid swimming ever since he was 4 months old or so--we had a community pool at our old apartment complex, and he loved it! I held him the whole time, though, and made sure he wore a wide-brimmed hat, spf 45 sunscreen, and a T-shirt as well as swimming trunks, and I gave him a bath every time we got out of the pool to get the chlorine and sunscreen off of his skin. Most babies love water--just be sure to supervise at all times, and as your child gets older and more independent, you'll want to buy a life jacket too. Have fun mama! :D
Aww I cant wait to take Riley swimming!!!! =)
I agree with this 100% and NEVER EVER EVER turn you back, not even for a second. Im fixing to share something with you guys that is VERY VERY difficult for me....and is my worst failure as a mother.....When I was 19 and Destiny was 3 1/2 years old I was working as a nanny in Texas. I watched 2 children plus Destiny.
I took them swimming one day at an apartment swimming pool near the house. We swam for about 3 hours and then my phone started ringing. I told the kids to all get out of the water and get their shoes because it was time to leave. They all got out and I answered my phone. When I first picked up the phone Destiny was sitting beside me.....she took off her swimmies and then got up. It NEVER occured to me that she would get back into the water....I was on the phone 10 minutes. When I hung up I turned around and MY BABY was floating face down in the water.....I SCREAMED and ran.......I dont even remember how I got into the water but I must have fallen because later on I noticed my ripped up bruised knees...but I grabbed her and she felt like rubber......when I turned her over her face was blue and her stomach was an old purplish color. She was completely lifeless....I started screaming "NO GOD! DONT YOU DARE TAKE MY BABY. I CANT LIVE WITHOUT HER. I WILL HATE YOU DONT TAKE HER" I got her to the side of the pool and laid her on her back...but kind of tilted on her side towards me...I screamed HELP at the top of my lungs and then started performing mouth to mouth...DONT ask me how I did it because Ive never taken a CPR class in my life and Ive never done it in my life.....but it was like I became the same person as her. Talk about a mothers instincts. I would breathe into her mouth and It felt like taking air into my own lungs. I knew just how much to breathe and when to stop...and then I pushed in her chest.....Water POURED out of her mouth...I did it again.........same thing.....The whole time I had my hand on her tiny wrist trying to feel a pulse and convincing myself in my head that just because I couldnt feel it didnt mean that it wasnt there.....Between each breath, while I was pushing on her chest I was SCREAMING for help....Sometime after the third or fourth scream people started gathering around (we had been the only people at the pool)....One of the other kids I was watching had ran to the office and called 911....After about 10 repititions of breathing, pumping she started gurgling and coughing...she finally began breathing again and about a minute later she regained consciousness. We spent the night at the hospital that night. Me in the hospital bed with her on my chest. Anytime they tried to move her I wouldnt let them....The next day she was fine......as though nothing had ever happened. I cried for 3 days and still cry sometimes when I think about it. At the hospital they told me how wonderful I was and how I had saved my babys life......but she wouldnt have needed it saved if I had been watching her properly in the first place. I will NEVER get over the guilt....and I am thankful every day that she is still with me......so there is my story...out for anyone to criticize and condemn......just please let my mistake be a learning tool for other moms out there.......watch your kids in the pool.....PLEASE!
Wow, I don't even know what to say to that. All I can say is that, everyone makes mistakes. At least you didn't freeze up and do nothing, you saved your daughters life! With no training either, thats amazing. We all learn from our mistakes and no one is perfect, there is no such thing as the perfect parent.
As for the original post, I agree with the sunblock thing. My son loves the water, I first took him in when he was 7 months, he loved it. And I agree with MJ, always watch your kids around water, no matter what. Even if Brad Pitt approaches you :P, sorry thought i'd add a little humor. Didn't meant to offend anyone, if I did sorry.
Oh, MJ, Honey! Wow! That's unbelievably scary and hard!
My in-laws have a pool in the back and it scares the shit out of me for that very reason.
i brought emma swimming at 3 months. it was indoors though. she still loves swimming
Alyssa is 9 months old and the other day i took her swimming. She loved it!!! And i think the huggies little swimmers worked great!
We got the go-ahead to bring Cordie into our home pool when she was 3 weeks old as long as it was after sunset & we gave her a bath as soon as we got out. She loved it then and still does! Now I lather her up with sunscreen before we go in and make sure she wears a hat, but she enjoys it. :)
I practically Live in a pool so I'm hoping Aaiden will want to be a swimmer, The pools I swim in are actually pools owned by neighbours that are well maintained. I will not swim in a public Pool I had a friend have a cut get infected from a pool to the point of her hand was swollen so her fingers could Not move (happened over night!) So I'd suggest being VERY careful especialy with a young kiddo