When Are Pools Safe?

I think he's too young for floaters, he really needs to sit up for anything like that. You can hold him in the pool but I would keep a t-shirt on in the sun and rinse him right afterwards to get the chlorine off. The earliest mine went in a pool was about 3 1/2 months. I have 3 little fish now.

E., I am a member of Galter Life Center on the north side of Chicago (Foster and Francisco). They have swimming classes for moms and babies. I'd check with them to answer your question unless you wanted to enroll in their programs. ###-###-####. They do have a web site, but I don't remember its address. They are an excellent resource for fitness and overall health maintenance. You are welocme to say I referred you. Good luck.
S.

I own a pool and, personally, knowing how conscientious I am in making sure that my chemical levels are safe for swimming and making sure that it is clean and healthy,not ALL pools have this comfort level. I would ONLY allow my infant to swim in a place that these standards are in place. A public pool, beach or lake would not be those places. I've seen too many bowel accidents in public pools to think that my 10 week old should be subjected to that. The "post" who said we have become too germaphobe???? HUH??? We are talking about a 2 and a 1/2 month old baby.

If it is your own pool and your chlorine levels are lower, I would consider it, however, the concern that I have in pools vs. your infant's age is breathing in any chlorine or ingesting it from the pool water.

Why chance it? Their lungs and the rest of their body are still infantile. As far as what you would use to keep them afloat??? Your loving arms.

2 and a 1/2 months is still very young.

Six months is a general guideline, in terms of the chemical and how they affect the body. Also, many pediatricians recommend no sunscreen until the children are 6 months old too. In terms of floaters or other swim rings-DO NOT USE THEM. As a lifeguard for over 10 years, I have seen many parents think that they really help more than they actually do, and kids fall out of the rings, or the floaties deflate. With the floaties, the kids can actually get in the wrong position, and the floaties actually hold the down more than allowing the to get up (arms over the head and can't push them down, or face forward and arms behind). Floaties are not even made to fit a baby. So, I would suggest that you hold the baby at all times. This will also allow the baby to stay warmer. Water temp. inside is usually kept between 80 degrees or 85 degrees. That is not very warm for a little kid, especially 2 months. Their bodies still haven't figured out how to regulate their temperature if you put them in more than their feet. I recently have seen two mothers place VERY young children in a zero depth part and just let them sit. One of the babies fell over into the water, and the parents didn't even notice. Sorry, I'm a big stickler about these things, probably because I have seen so many scarry things!

Pools are never really "safe" but you can be safe in a pool. Babies can learn to swim because it is a natural instinct so I would say to stay away form floats at that young age because you will be right there and the baby is not going to be out of your arms on its own because of head strength. Join a baby swimming class or go to the library and get some videos/books about it. It is GREAT to start them so young. I always wash baby off right after we get out and am sure to give a good bath asap.

The reason that infants should not be in swimming pools until 6 months has less to do with pool chemicals and more to do with body temperature. Infants have trouble keeping their body temperature constant (that's why we swaddle them up and put hats on them!). Being in the pool can cause baby's body temperature to drop drastically, quickly.

I put my kids in after 6 months....just like many things that are not for newborns, they are just too delicate their first few months (sunscreen, etc).

You don't need floaties because you will be holding your baby the entire time.

Public pools are COMPLETELY safe, don't let people scare you into thinking that they are not. We have been swimming at public pools all of our lives and nothing has ever happened. We live in a world that has become way too germ-a-phobic! Enjoy the pool with your child!

As long as your chemicals are balanced it is fine. I had my babies in right away with no issues. Otherwise check with your pediatrician.

M.

Hi E. check with you son's pediatrican first before starting swimming. He/she should be able to tell the answers to your question. A child this young you don't get advice from someone on internet.

Outdoor pools are safer in that they are ventilated, but you are still dealing with harsh chemicals and the potential for other nasty things (I am sure so many kids pee in the water, which isn't caught. Only when actual waste is seen can the guard know to close the pool.)

There is some research out of England- you could google "pool safety" + asthma + England for the article, that strongly urges against indoor pool use for babies and toddlers, due to respiratory concerns.

I brought my kids into our own pool at 6 months and the community pool and beach around 8 months. Use a water diaper and plastic pants, covered in a suit. I strongly urge against using any floaties or devices with babies in the water. You should be one-on-one in physical contact with them at all times. I know some parents use floaties after 2, so kids can feel more independent, and I don't fault them. I just taught mine to swim gradually, letting them go a little further each time but still 100% there for them, until they learned.

GOOD Luck and enjoy this nice, hot weather!

I had my son in the pool at about 16 weeks and it was fine. He really enjoyed the water and at 18 mos is quite the little water bug. I wouldn't waste too much time or money on floaters. He will probably want the security of Mom or Dad holding him. But do make sure to use plenty of lotion after the pool to keep his skin from drying out.

Definitely talk to your ped. Mine was quite firm on 6 months.

Both my kids were in the pool by 8 weeks. I've never had an issue with it. I didn't use a floating devise till they were older because of still not having complete head control so I'd just hold them. Plus a lot of pools don't allow them.I did find a water carrier you can use but not till there 4 months old. It's great especially if you have more then 1 kid.

I think 6 months is generally the recommendation as the earliest the baby should be swimming. I took my youngest twice when she was 5 months old, but we were outside and it was a short visit (20 minutes).

Floaties are only safe if you are with the child. As the pp said, they can deflate, get small holes and fill with water. They are definitely not made so the baby/child can swim by themselves.