3 Mo Old Too Early to Go in a Pool?

I just began taking my 5 and 3/4-months-old son into the pool in my gated community and he LOVES it; I've made a set of 'rules' to follow and so far they seem to work very well:
*no dunking; keep his head out of the water as much as possible so he doesn't swallow the chlorinated water
*rinse off thoroughly immediately after every swimming session
*either hold an umbrella (w/ assistance from hubby) over him at all times or stay in the shaded corner of pool (depends upon time of day) so he stays out of the sun since my Ped doesn't want me to put sunscreen on him til after 6 mos. (FYI: Baby Banz makes great sun hats, sunglasses, and swimwear - I've ordered a bunch and it's all great stuff and good ordering service)
*keep an eye out for other kids so I can keep him away from them - I learned the hard way how easy even a small cannonball can completely soak and frighten the baby

He always draws a crowd when we go in, and he loves the attention!!

I wouldn't put the 3-month old in the pool. In some countries, they don't even go out of the house until six months. If baby is breast-fed, she will have a higher immunity, but still.... if baby should have an allergic reaction to the chlorine at that age it would be bad.

No not at all, babies can swim under water at that age mine really loved it!

Any where, creeks, oceans and pools.

hi Stef, babies can go in the pool, but put plugs in the ears so chlorine doesn't get into the ears, cause that can cause ear infections. J.

my daughter loved the pool, and we took her in at about 2-3 months. she was soo cute! Just try not to get wanter in their ears, it freaks my daughter out...=)
Enjoy
R.

p.s. don't forget the swim diapers!

I just signed my six month old for swim lessons with an instructor that specializes in babies. I asked an infant Orthopedic Specialist what age you can start the baby and she said younger than six months is fine. But set your expectations low. The baby is not going to be able to learn anything from the pool experience, but she said it might be fun, so no harm in that. She also said never to dunk a baby in a pool. The new swim instructor said they only start actually benefiting and learning from the pool experience when they can keep there head up and hold on to the side of the pool - which is about six or seven months.

Go for it! I used to teach swim lessons to all ages. Lots of babies LOVE the water, especially if you get them used to it early on. Just make sure you (or an adult) have 2 hands on him/her at all times, baby's head above water usually--if you do want to get his face in the water, have the water flow forehead to chin so it doesn't get in the nose and so water is moving over ears, not in them... For 3-12 months, 15-30 max. minutes is plenty of time to splash and play, then get them get them out--warm & dry.
I had my 10 month old in a pool at 6 months (it would have been sooner if summer came sooner) and she loves baths, pools, and the beach!
Oh yea, put on a swim diaper!

nope... I've had 3 of my children in pools at : 2 wks, 2 months and 9 months.... they all love the water. My eldest was in the pool at 2 weeks and is an avid/strong swimmer. Just remember, sunblock SPF 45+, swimmers diapers, and swimmer hat... I've also found that kids swim goggles can be shrunk enough to fit infants ( I just tried it on my baby)I got the tinted goggles to protect her eyes from the glare.
You can go to a sporting store and buy the arm floaties that are Life Guard authorized....It's the best situation to have a baby that knows to swim- and is comfortable if they fall. Panic causes drowning.
Best of luck!!!

Your three month old should love the pool! I too taught lessons (years ago)and there were lots of young babies in the parent and me class. A private pool is great because if she is unsure of the water it is more intimate and reassurring. Not lots of extra noise and splashes.

Have fun!

C.

We took our daughter swimming at 2 months. We wanted her to be comfortable with water as we do water activities. She loves it! Your little one will be fine. Enjoy! ~ C.