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Taking a baby swimming can be fun with preparation. Parents should seek advice from a pediatrician, check water temperature, and pack extra supplies. They should keep their baby safe by holding them at all times and maintaining eye contact.
The idea of taking a baby swimming may sound scary at first. However, with a little preparation and a spirit of adventure for the first time, it can be fun for both parents and baby. Essentially, a parent who wants to take their baby swimming usually prepares by putting a swim diaper on the baby and applying waterproof sunscreen if he goes to an outdoor pool. After making sure the water is warm enough for your baby, he can carefully step into the pool, holding on at all times. Also, packing a bag of snacks and food, extra towels, diapers, and clothes can help make swim time more fun.
Before taking a baby swimming, it’s a good idea to seek the advice of a pediatrician. Some may recommend waiting until the baby has received at least one round of vaccinations before taking them to a public pool. This is because of the risk of contracting contagious diseases when a baby is very young and more vulnerable to infection. Others may suggest waiting just six weeks, thinking that a baby who has at least reached this age will be better able to cope with strange noises in a pool.
If a baby’s doctor gives the green light for pool time, parents are generally advised to check the water temperature before taking their babies swimming. Babies cannot regulate their own body temperature until they are between six and 12 months of age. As such, very cold water can feel very cold to a baby. Doctors often recommend making sure the water temperature is at least 84 degrees Fahrenheit (about 29 degrees Celsius) and removing the baby from the water if she starts to shiver. Water that is hotter than 100 degrees Fahrenheit (about 38 degrees Celsius) is generally considered off limits for babies.
The steps a person takes to prepare for swimming with a baby can go a long way to making pool time enjoyable. This usually means dressing the baby in a swim diaper for hygienic reasons and packing extra swim diapers, regular diapers, extra clothing, towels, and a blanket or two in case the baby wants to rest. Parents may also do well to pack waterproof sunscreen, snacks, food, and bottles if the baby is bottle-fed.
Taking a baby swimming is often more like wading. The adult who is in charge of keeping the baby safe in the pool probably won’t be swimming much. He may enjoy floating or even doing a small surface swim alongside his baby if the baby is in a flotation device. However, for safety reasons, he will usually give up underwater swimming when he does not have his baby in the pool. If another adult has left for the trip, the two adults can take turns caring for the baby, so each person has time for worry-free swimming.
Since drowning is a serious risk when babies are in the pool, parents are generally advised to keep an arm’s length away from a baby who is in a flotation device. Otherwise, they are advised to hold on to their babies at all times. Also, maintaining eye contact with a baby can help them feel more comfortable as they become acclimated to the water.
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