How Soon Can an Infant Enter a Pool?

From what I've been taught, babies should not have their ears in the water until they are 6 months old. I used to teach a mom and me swim/exercise class and that is what they recommended. I don't think it is a big deal for the children to be in the pool, just don't let her ears go under. And, if her ears aren't going under, chances are her mouth won't either. I wouldn't let my baby ingest pool water - gross!

I started "swim" lessions with my son at 6 months because that is the youngest they would take in the class. I asked my doctor at 4 months if I could take him to the pool and he said yes, and I did. He loved it and he's two now and he loves the water and swimming so it all depends on your comfort level.

I personally have taken my children at 2 months old. They have all enjoyed it, like taking a bath. Just put a hat on the baby and don't have her out in the sun too long and I'm sure she'll be fine. I'm sure that will make life for your caregiver a lot easier so the other kids can enjoy the summer sun.

First, as far as the suit thing goes, The Children's Place sells 0-3m and 3-6m suits. At least they did last year. My baby was born 7/1 of last year and he made his first trip to a friend's pool/waterslide mid-August. He made his first trip to a public pool in November and now this summer we have an above ground pool and he has been in it several times. I think it is up to you when you choose to let her go. For us I felt everything was good since he has never been a sickly or anything like that. Its your choice to make and not your caretaker's so make sure you advocate for you daughter always as nobody else will.

My children are spaced out (14, 12, 7, & 3) so I've always had a little one to take to the pool. Yes, there are lots of potential germs, but that's why the water is heavily chlorinated. For me, the two important parts were to try not to let the baby swallow the water (but it will happen some anyway), and to wash the baby off afterward so she has clean skin, and clean hands to suck on. I'd go for it! :)

Hi D.,

I am a bit of a germaphobe too, but remember we did all those things as kids too and somehow we survived! Sometimes I just have to say that to myself over and over when I see my kids doing something disgusting and it makes my skin want to crawl. My son has this horrible habit of rolling around on grocery store floors. Like why would you ever do that, but he just sometimes will not get off the floor! It does drive me crazy, but being out in the world means being exposed to germs. That is why God designed such a beautiful immune system for us. And truly the more they are exposed to before going into the school system the better. Our bodies do fight off lots of germs and being sick with mild things in our younger years, builds up our immunities.

I have a friend who put his son into one of those infant swim classes that uses their innate ability to swim. It was amazing. He posted his videos on Facebook. This little 5 month old would be flipped face under on his belly in the water and then he would turn himself over and float for a minute or longer. The instructor was always right there, but it was unbelievably cool to see his little arms and legs working to keep himself afloat and face up. So I don't think they can't be in the water or even not have their ears in. This little guy did great and his mom is a pediatric anesthesiologist and she didn't have any problems with him being in the water or submerged.

I think it's ok. Just remember we are designed to be exposed to things that are yucky. It just isn't always the most pleasant thought!

I'm sure like everything else, people are going to have their own opinions on this, but one thing I will say - my parents have a pool and we spend a lot of time there. My youngest son was in that pool by two months. Theirs is a saline pool, so a lot less chlorine, and we are just sure to always give him a bath after. But one big advantage to getting your kids in the water early is that now at two, my son can swim the entire length of that pool. He is always supervised, of course, and always wears a life jacket, but the fact that he is comforatable - and competent - in the water at such a young age by far overrides any concerns I might have about germs. They are so much more likely to die of drowning (due to lack of experience) than they are to die of germs they may be exposed to in the pool. We have already had to put this to the test once when he accidentally fell into a pond while fishing with his Dad. Unlike some kids who are not comfortable in the water, he did not panic and knew right away to just stand up and wait for his Dad to come get him.

I say this decision is up to you. I, myself, have put my children in the pool at any age when the water is warm enough. Chlorine is used in public pools more often than private pools because of how many people use them. I would say let her, but I am not you. Plain and simple, it's your choice.

Make it a GREAT day!

S.

There really isn't any harm in taking the baby to the pool! Honest! I took my daughter at 2 mo to the pool for the first time and she LOVED it! now don't get me wrong there are a lot of germs and stuff in the pool but I think you have to also remember that her little body is a whole lot tougher than you think!
As for the lack of swim suit sales... I noticed that problem as well but i finally got lucky and found a little one. It said it was for 6-9mo but it was very small for that age (my daugther is very petite) so it fit her at about 4 months!

We own a 3-6 month swim suit. We lived in Phoenix when my son was born, and it was so dang hot that we went to the public pool many times. The first time I took him into the pool he was 6 weeks old. He didn't like it at all. But he loved me carrying him around in the pool above the water.

When he was 3 months old, we took him to the neighbor's pool and he LOVED it. We have a "Baby Float" which is a ring floaty with straps underneath so he won't fall out. We always kept a hand on the float, but he didn't mind the waves or little splashes or anything.

We went camping with our oldest son when he was 2 months old. The campground had several hot tubs of different temperatures. The coolest one was like bathwater. He LOVED it, and was floating on his back with our hand only under his head.
We went swimming every day when we were at a hotel with an indoor pool when he was 4 months old.

I've never heard anything about not taking a kid to the pool. Actually, there are swim lessons for tiny infants to get them used to the water. At this age, they actually possess the innate ability to swim.

So I wouldn't worry about it.

Oh, and by the way, those baby floaties are less than $5. Absolutely worth it!

USE THE SUNSCREEN if you decide to let her go. My pediatrician said that sunscreen is not recommended for under 6 months because of heat sickness issues--If you don't have sunscreen on them you aren't tempted to keep them in the sun for long periods.
As you consider the decision, remember that it is really easy to lose track of time at the pool. They may say the plan is to be in the sun for only 20 mins, but then you get talking or distracted and before you know it's been an hour. Is there a well shaded area at the pool they plan to go to? Can they get in out of the heat quickly if your daughter gets overheated? While her kids are really anxious to go to the pool, don't let that pressure you to make a bad decision for your daughter. She is still pretty fragile.

Pool is fine. Purchase a floatie thing with a sunshade, though, and a sun hat. Sunscreen is not supposed to be used until 6 months.

I was hot & bored when my first baby was born, so he went in the pool as soon as it was hot enough to do so-about a month old. I put a bucket hat on him, lathered him up w/the highest SPF I could find, put a tiny shirt on him & some swim diapers & we "swam" for a few mins. He wasn't in for more than 15 mins or so & then I'd put him back in his stroller & I'd sunbathe for a bit. We'd go back in for maybe a few more mins-he wasn't ever in for longer than an hr/day.
You can say please don't take her in the pool-you're within your rights as a mom! Or you could ask that they give her a quick soapless bath after they're done at the pool-no harm in just watering her down & lotioning her up again.
And remember all the crazy stuff you & your friends did as kids? When I was a baby, car seats were still optional. My hubby didn't have one past the infant seat! We're all still kicking!

There are plenty of places that sell suits under 6 months.... my daughter had two 0-3 month suits last year (we got them at Gap). I took her in the water all the time.
She never drank the water and wasn't just left to float around... I don't think there is any issue especially if you trust the person watching her.
Seriously you will get over the germ thing pretty fast when she starts crawling and you see the stuff she will be putting in her mouth!
Good luck and let her enjoy the summer...

I totally agree with the moms that say it is fine to have an infant in the pool at any age. The one that needs to be ready is you...your little cutie will be fine! I always stayed away from sunscreen until they were 6 months old, but we got a rash guard and a really good wide hat to cover our little ones up as much as possible. Then we just made sure they weren't out in the sun for very long - 20-30 minutes at a time and that there was shade or shelter nearby so we could get out of the sun when it was needed. We also had a little blow-up boat that we put the little ones in. It kept their heads out of the water so they would be less tempted to take a drink. They would splash around in the boat (their legs just stick down in the water & they sit in the boat) and they absolutely loved it! As soon as you are ready, and if you trust your caregiver to follow all your rules, I say go for it.