Swimming

Hi there, My little one is almost 7 weeks and we are going to the pools/hot pools over the weekend. Those little swimmer things only seem to start at 6 months.

Can she go swimming in a reasonably temperatured pool and if so, what would I put her in (nappy wise)

And do the pool people actually like babies swimming in their pools or are the against it?

Should she actually be going in, or should I just leave her out???

I wouldnt take a bub in that young. It wouldnt take her long for her body temp to get really out of whack and then like LF said, getting out she would get very cold very fast. We took Daniel at about 4 months and he could only stay in for about 15-20 mins before he started getting cold.

I'm a swimming instructor and I wouldn't recommend it. Baby is still very young and their immune systems are still developing - even treated pools have nasty bugs which are okay for us adults to fight off but not so good for a little one.
I know you may have seen classes for babies as young as 6weeks but these are done in special pools that are cleaned very regularly and the number of people that swim in them are great reduced to that of a normal pool.
My suggestion would be to take a buggy and let her watch you enjoying yourself in the pool. What a great way to show her water is fun.

I used to be a swim teacher and I agree with First. Seeing you enjoy the water is a great place to show its fun and safe under supervision etc.

Pikkle you could definitely start now. The chlorine shouldn't matter too much with her ezcema as long as your not spending days and hours in the water. After you've been swimming just apply an ezcema cream you usually use so it doesnt flare up

Edited by rianna08

I would say unless it is a special pool then six months is a good age. Some pools will advertise for 4months but if they do just check to make sure that they a using a special baby area pool. It should be a seperate pool which is warmer and the water changed and checked more regularly.
Pikkle your bubs would definately be fine in the water. I had some mum put a cream on there eszma babies before getting in the pool just so that their skin was all nice a oiled up so it would absorb as much chlorine. They just used whatever cream they'd use normally. It does make them slippery though so I recommend getting a full body outfit (shorts &tshirt or one peice) to help with grip if you are worried about dropping baby.

Hi
I started taking Sam at 3 and a half months. he loves swimming. His Daddy wants him to go to the hot pools but I said no.
Anyway, he is about 6.5kg and he wears an Imse Vimse reusable swimming nappy which is cool and keeps his wees and poos in!
He did spew in the pool on Tuesday but that was fine, too! I guess lots of bubs do it!

i too was wondering about this and posted a few weeks back..

since then i have spoken with both my GP and Plunket...

the advice was SIX MONTHS ...... i think we will go around 5 months though.and just for 15-20mins