Has your babe been swimming?

[crystal_buffaloe]

I was just wondering how old your LO was when you took him or her swimming for the first time -- and where did you go? how did they like it? any tips?

I'm thinking about taking my 15 week old swimming tomorrow, since she's never been, she loves the bath, she has not one but two swimsuits, and DH and I are both off of work for Labor Day. Is that crazy? We could go to the indoor rec pool, they have a "little swimmers" session, but it's for ages 8 and under -- I'm afraid it would be crowded and splashy. We could also go to the pool at the apartment complex of some of our friends -- outdoor, most certainly less crowded. What do you think?

[fruitfulmomma]

I think my oldest was maybe 2 months the first time we went. It was at an apt. pool and no one else was there except me and a friend. With some of my girls it has been around 4-6 months and the pool we go to has life jackets.

I would opt for the least crowded place. When we went last year I had my (then) 9yo in the pool with a life jacket on and it was at capacity and he got dunked even with me right there.

[rhiOrion]

I've taken L to outdoor pools and indoor pools. We started when she was maybe 2-3 months. All were fun, except for the indoor pool down the street that was super crowded.

I'd opt for outdoor (chemicals will disperse more there, too) if it's less crowded, and just keep a hat on baby and try to not stay in the sun too long.

[Tway]

I think we took DD swimming around 4 or 5 months--I can't exactly remember. There's an indoor sports complex near home that has a heated toddler pool, which is kept at a lovely 91C. DD loved it (except for the time a screaming toddler had her in tears) and seemed to take to the water really well. Since then, DH has brought her into lakes, outdoor swimming pools, kiddie pools, and a mini blow-up pool. She loves them all!

I love this pic of her, so just thought I'd share my water baby with you.

[akind1]

I think DS was close to 6 months, but that is just a timing thing; he's a November baby. Loved it then and still does. all outdoor pools. we have never been when it was super crowded.

[bizzylizzy]

I've been taking my son to Infant Swim lessons since 3 months. He loves it! And I actually think babies getting used to being splashed and having their faces and heads wet is a good thing! Have fun!

[mrskingred]

DS was 3 weeks old. The complex where we were living at the time had its own pool. He loves water.

[crystal_buffaloe]

Thanks for all the replies (and great pic, Tway ) I was just a little worried because of her age and the cholorine, but it sounds like we should be safe! I'm going to give her a bath right afterwards just to rinse any gunk off. She's asleep right now, but I think we're going to go when she wakes up (and I'm totally excited).

[Adaline'sMama]

We have been going to the pool at least once a week since DD was 6 weeks old. We took a shower as soon as we got out. DD loves the water and we dont have a bathtub at home, so the pool is the only place I get to be in the water with her. Now, at 5 months she kicks and plays in the water. She hates going under though. I usually stay pretty close to the edges, in case anything happens its super close to the lifeguards.

[Asiago]

Originally Posted by crystal_buffaloe

Thanks for all the replies (and great pic, Tway ) I was just a little worried because of her age and the cholorine,

The chlorine is our concern also so we are going to wait. The following study is interesting.

Swimming pool attendance during infancy is associated with a higher risk of bronchiolitis, with ensuing increased risks of asthma and allergic sensitisation.

http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/36/1/41.abstract

Reuters article on the above study:

They found that of children exposed to chlorinated indoor or outdoor pools before age 2, 36 percent had a history of bronchiolitis, compared with 24 percent of their peers.

Among children who had used only indoor pools for more than 20 hours before age 2, the risk of bronchiolitis was 3.5-times higher compared with children who had never been to a chlorinated indoor pool at that age. Meanwhile, children who had spent that much time at an outdoor pool showed a two-fold increase in their risk of the lung infection.

Overall, there were no significant differences in the rates of asthma and allergies among infant swimmers and their peers. But when the researchers looked at children with a history of bronchiolitis, only those who had been infant swimmers showed increased risks of asthma and respiratory allergies.

Among infant swimmers who had contracted the infection, 15 percent later developed asthma. That compared with 4 percent of swimmers with no history of bronchiolitis. The figures were nearly the same when it came to hay fever.

It is "very likely," according to the researchers, that airway irritation from chlorine byproducts makes babies more vulnerable to bronchiolitis.

From there, the infection and chronic chlorine exposure appear to "interact" to increase a child's risk of asthma and allergies later on.

Link to full article: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE60P5IX20100126

[snoopy5386]

Yup. We joined a pool this summer so she has been swimming weekly since July, so since 3 months old. She doesn't seem to love it or hate it, she really could care less.

[ann_of_loxley]

I think he was 5 weeks old when I first took him swimming. Then again around 9 weeks? The first we had to get out of the pool earlier than usual because he was hungry and tired. The second time, he fell asleep on me and just slept the whole time in the pool! lmao

The third time I took him was the best. He was 4 months old and had a GREAT time! Really enjoyed kicking about, etc! After 10 minutes he was tired though (from all the kicking about!) and fell asleep on me again for the rest of the pool time! lol Bless him! I have a 5 year old, so thats why we stay in the pool. I also have a mesh water ring sling that I use to help me with the baby.

For me, I think the best way to guage it - is to try the bath first! We like to fill the bath way up high and I get in with him. He has never hated bath time - but never showed a great love for it either until recently so I figured we would try the pool again (after him just sleeping the whole hour last time! lol) and he just loves it! Great age to start taking them I think must be around now!