Babies and swimming

Just curious, should babies be a certain age before you take them to a public swimming pool.

This sweltering weather has got me thinking, we're off to sydney on boxing day and I'd really like to know whether we can take DS who is 4 months old to the pool to cool him down if need be.

While we're on the topic, can they swim in lakes/sea at this age (obviously swim in the loosest sense of the word!)

I've always heard 6 months for swimming lessons because they go in a warmer pool and also to prevent wee/poo accidents in the pool. But lakes/sea is fine as long as the water is warm enough.

Please correct me if I"m wrong. I don't really know either.

We lived in a condo with a shared pool when C was first born. We were advised here that we could take him in when we felt comfortable with it, just not to put his head under till he was 4-6mo. If it's really warm outside you won't have to worry as much about needing a warmer pool etc (which is why swimming lessons usually start @ 6m because public pools aren't warm enough and the air isn't exactly warm in NZ!) Here the outside temp is way warmer than the pool so no probs with bubs being out in the air afterwards/during

Have fun! Oh and C had usually had enough after about 15 mins in the beginning (he was about 4mo I think, but 2mo adjusted age). Now he would stay in the pool all day if we let him!

Should be fine, it just pays to keep an eye on their body temp, even t hough you are just trying to cool down bubs don't have a great temp regulation and get cold very quickly

I got told it was 6mths because of ear infections?

I asked plunket for LEah....and they said that becuae she is healthy and had jabs should be fine in pools that are a certain temp (I think it was between 30-32?).

I won't be putting Leah's head under though...

Harry has been going to swimming lessons from 5 months and loves it. He goes underwater as well. We just put him in a swim nappy which catches poos and a swimsuit. I think the water is a bit warmer than regular pools though, but I you go to the kids paddling pool they are normally warmer.

im a learn to swim teacher and our swim school offers mums and bubs lessons and they are normally between 3 and 6 months old are the youngest group.

i think its more of a case of they cool down really quickly since they are so small, so if its heated at approx 30*C-33*C it should be fine. if they show signs of getting cold then yeah take them out. i think there was some worry for a while about their skin being extra sensitive but if they are in those rash suits then i dont see a problem.

i prolly wont get ours in til he is about 9 months old, simply because he is due in March and winter is a little too cold in Dunedin lol.