How old was your baby when you first took him swimming? Was it a positive experience?
Summer is approaching, and we just bought our baby’s first swimming suit. The purchase may have been unnecessary, but we really enjoyed picking through the adorable styles and prints. When we arrived home, I started thinking about whether our baby would ever enter a pool or lake this summer.
I don’t hesitate to bring her in the water because of fears that she will drown. We’ll always have two adults around at all times (one holding her, one there on the rare chance that something would happen to the adult holding her), and might even use a life jacket on occasion as an extra precaution.
My reasons for not wanting to bring her into a pool or lake deal more with illnesses. Babies put everything into their mouths, and want to taste everything they can get their hands on. It is probably inevitable that a small amount of lake or pool water will get into my baby’s system. Lake water, as we all know, is not safe to drink, and pool water, although “clean” because of chemicals, can still harbor germs that cause diarrhea and pink eye.
In addition, we make pretty big efforts to keep chemicals off of our baby’s skin and out of her system. We use mild, fragrance-free laundry detergent, avoid using lotions with scents and wearing perfume/cologne, and put only the tiniest squirt of natural baby body wash into the tub when she takes a bath. I don’t like the idea of having almost her entire body submerged in a liquid full of chemicals that make my adult skin and eyes irritated.
I wonder if my baby will be warm enough in a pool. She’s at an age where she can begin to regulate her body temperature, but it’s still a concern for me. If I get cold in a pool, won’t she be freezing?
I know many parents who take a swim class with their baby, and they love it. I want my kids to be very familiar with the water and to be strong swimmers. I’m not sure that this needs to begin when they are babies, though.
Some parents have given me solutions for my fears. One told me that putting lotion on a baby before getting into the pool will help “seal” its skin against the chemicals. Almost all mothers agree that it’s good to wash a baby with baby shampoo immediately after getting out of the pool to avoid irritating the skin. Others suggest that it’s wise to keep babies out of the pool until they reach about 6 months of age, when they are better able to fight off germs and diseases.
Although many parents feel comfortable bringing their babies into lakes and public pools, I don’t think I’m at that point yet. For now, I think the only swimming experience my baby needs involves a $14.99 round, plastic pool set up in our back yard, filled with hose water, and warmed in the sun. No chemicals added, no lake bacteria, no fecal matter germs from other kids, and I can wash it out before each use with mild dish soap.