public indoor pools w/ your babe?

[JenMidwife]

When will you or did you take your babe to an indoor public pool?

Erin lovessplashing in a deep bath (w/ us), we're big swimmers, believe swimming's an important life skill & live 5 mins from a great Y... but I just read an article about a connection between indoor pools/ chlorinated water & asthma. Even thought we don't have any family history of asthma or allergies, it's still scary.

What about you guys?

[the_lissa]

We just took Liam on Saturday for the first time.

We almost signed him up for swimming lessons. they start at four months here. The 4 month to 3 years old are together, so he would have been in with his sister. I didn't know how much he would get out of it, but he loves it so much, I'm kicking myself for not signing him up.

Next time around, his sister will be in the next class up, so theyw on't be together.

[veganf]

My husband wants to take Nate. I'd rather wait a until 1 or 2.
Right now A.J. and Ryan take swimming at the Y. They're in two different classes and Ryan's class is without a parent which amazes me!

[Tofu the Geek]

I will only take my kids to pools that don't use chlorine. We have 3 here that don't. I actually haven't taken baby yet though! I should, she really loves water!

[blairinargentina]

ooooh, asthma and chlorine. interesting. do you have the link?

we were thinking of starting isa in the 6 month swim lessons. there are no chlorine free pools here so that's not an option unfortunately.

she loves to splash around so i think it'll fun.

[peilover010202]

We took ds1 starting at 4mos and E will go as soon as I fit in my suit again No seriously, when Owen starts classes again in a month, I'll get in with E.

We also think swimming is an important life skill, so ds1 has pretty much been in several classes each year of his life.

and Krista, I know, Owen is in swim classes with no parent. It's just amazing. He LOVES it so much and is actually getting to the point that he can swim with little assistance.

[radiogirlgr]

Spencer has already been in a pool once-he was just in hog heaven being carried in the warm water! He just loved it. I've been a swimmer my whole life, and was a lifeguard and swim class teacher too, so I'm a big proponent of putting kids in the water early and often. It's great exercise and an important safety skill to have. I'm sure that there are regulations on how often the pools in your area are cleaned. You could probably check with the pool director on that. As far as athsma and chlorine, I hadn't heard of that. Maybe check with your pediatrician if it's a concern... I say go for it and have fun!!!!

[JenMidwife]

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=601790

the articles are linked on this thread

[peilover010202]

Jen - back to your question. I didn't realize there was any correlation. But, I would be interested in reading more about those studies and the children they studied. For instance, was there ANY family history, formula fed?, when did they start solids, etc. Those things all play a role and it would be unlikely that they could screen each child so that all these factors were constant (in order to really get a good indication of whether or not chlorination plays a role.) KWIM? Otherwise, how could you KNOW that it wasn't genetics? Just my thought...

[ColoradoMama]

Louis went for the first time for ds1's b-day part in December - he loved it.

[taradt]

Cailyn went at 6 months, she has always loved water and was able to swim in shallow water around 4 years old, with no lessons (though I used to teach swimming). Much to her dissapointment we haven't found time to get to the pool since Kienan was born

Kienan hasn't gone yet and is not as much a water fan, he hates the cold bit of getting out, so I plan to wait until it is warmer.

I also think it is such an important thing

tara

[Bay Area Babe]

I brought this up at our 4 month well baby appointment and our ped (who is also a homeopath) recommended skipping public pools because they are highly chlorinated. I'm sad because I thought it would be fun but I guess I can wait for some fresh water or a private pool.

[Neva]

Swim lessons start at 4 months here. The ped recommended waiting until two months because of the chlorine. We took the little man for the first time when he was 3-4 months. He was in the swim lessons then too and loved it.