baby swimming

[lokzpitbull]

i have a 3month old son. How long can i take him to the public pool and cautions of taking him into the sun.

[Psychick]

Its always best to wait until theyve had all their jabs (usually around 4 months) before taking them to a public pool. When you do take him, only take in the water for 10-15 minutes to start as babies get very cold very quick. As he gets used to it and gets older, you can stay for longer.

Its best to always try and keep babies out of the sun. I know its not always easy, I myself have a 4 month old and even using her sunshade, there are times when the sun gets through the gaps. If the sun is strong, I always use a sunblock with a minimum SPF of 40. I put it on any parts that may be exposed to the sun, even if its only for a few minutes. Baby skin is so much more delicate than ours and will burn very quick. I keep a sunhat for her in her bag too for any time her head may be exposed at all.

Hope you have fun with the swimming, mine has just had her last lot of jabs so I will be taking her soon and cant wait :)

[natalie_1982]

Hi lokzpitbull, my health advisor reccommended waiting until my baby's course of jabs are completed (at 16weeks, she is 9weeks now) but that there is nothing stopping me taking her swimming now if I wanted to.

Like Psychick, I always keep a sunhat in my bag for baby and for the pram I always keep a cotton pillowcase, as my little one gets so flipping hot and the cotton seems to cool her down and keep her covered.

Can't wait to take mine swimming - good luck!

[McNoodle]

What do you put them in when in the pool, ie. no nappy? Mine's 10 months and he can be quite 'unpredictable' with his poo!

[Psychick]

McNoodle, if you look in the section of your supermarket where the nappies are, you will see nappies designed for use in the swimming pool called Little Swimmers. Or Tesco do a swimsuit with a built in nappy thats removable and washable.

[McNoodle]

Thanks Psychick. Will do.

[saxy_jag]

I had my youngest swimming in the indoor pool at three months - he's been a strong swimmer all his life and competed at county level as a teenager. If I had had the energy and means to take him earlier, I would have done. I don't think any age is too young for a healthy baby in a clean, well-run pool. We started with ten minute sessions and gradually increased until he was swimming for half an hour at the age of three.

In an outside pool, go with Physick and use the highest SPF you can get - latest advice says don't rub it in until it's invisible, as then it doesn't protect for as long - you need to be quite generous.

There's also no harm in popping a t-shirt onto your son whilst he's swimming, which may keep the sun off a little more.