Pools and newborns: when can my baby swim for the first time?
Did you know that swimming with your newborn baby is a great way to boost its development? As well as allowing the two of you to bond personally, introducing a very young child to water allows them to build their confidence and develop an understanding of their limbs long before they can do the same on dry land.
So long as they’re the right temperature, private pools are the perfect place to introduce a baby to water for the first time, as you’ll be able to dedicate all your attention to them and they won’t get confused by the often-raucous atmosphere of a public pool.
Here’s our essential guide to having fun swimming with your baby:
When can my baby swim in the pool?
Some parents introduce their children to a pool once they’re around six weeks old. There’s no need to wait until your baby has been immunised, but Mums will have to wait until at least six weeks after birth or a little longer after a caesarean section. It’s always best to check with you doctor in individual cases.
Before you take your little one into a pool for the first time, it’s important to introduce them to water in the bath. When they’re comfortable with the sensation of water and can have fun around it, you can move onto a pool. You’ll probably be surprised how quickly a baby will adapt to the life aquatic – after all, they’ve just spent 9 months growing happily in utero.
What else do I need to consider?
Temperature – Remember that babies aren’t able to regulate body temperature as well as adults until they’re older than 12 months’ old, so if the water feels cold to you it’ll be even more so for your little one. If they start shivering in the pool, you should get out.
Keep it warm – babies under six months old need a warm pool of around 32 degrees Celsius – it should go without saying that your unheated outdoor pool isn’t suitable for a youngster.
Take swim nappies – You’ll know that mistakes can happen anywhere. So you’ll need to take some specialist nappies when swimming with your little one to keep the pool in good condition.
Bring toys – If you want your baby to feel happy and relaxed it could help to bring a few of their favourite toys.
Don’t swim for long – Your baby won’t want to swim for very long. Your first few sessions should only last 10 minutes or so and then you can build up their strength. It’s not advisable to spend more than half an hour in a pool if your baby is younger than a year old.
Don’t swim with a poorly baby – If they’ve picked up an infection or illness, don’t go swimming. Wait until they’ve been clear for at least 48 hours so that they’re strong and not in danger of affecting others.
Check skin complaints – Some youngsters’ skin conditions don’t react well to chlorine. Check with your doctor if your little one has a skin complaint.
Of course, when you’re introducing your little one to an indoor pool for the first time, it needs to be clean and completely clear of infections. For that, you need to treat it regularly with the right chemicals. Check out our support pages for more information on how to care for your pool.