Babies and pools

Pandamom416

What are the "rules" or advice when and how to take a baby to a pool? Or even set up a baby pool?

hordol

FTM but I worked at a pool for eight years. Just have them in the swim diaper with a plastic pant over it and the pool should be fine with that. You can take a newborn in the pool if you really want to though they probably won't appreciate it the same way an older baby would.

jenskurn

With dd, pedi said not until 3 months. We tried at a little over 2 (we live in south FL so it's kind if hard to avoid) and she enjoyed it.

fireflygirl12

Our pedi said to wait because babies can't maintain their body temperatures very well.

Pandamom416

Wait how long?

hordol

Really with this is just comes down to common sense. Prolonged periods in the pool wouldn't be good, and you shouldn't use any floaties or anything, but if you are holding your child in your arms and taking proper care you should be fine. We had babies of all ages swim in our pool, but I guess I don't know that the parents that brought there really young babies were necessarily following any pediatric recommendations, but we never had any issues with infants.

pineconey

I've heard to pay attention to the chlorine level too. Our apartment has an outdoor pool that I plan on taking DS to later this summer.

CalinAZ

I'm planning on taking LO into our pool in the later summer (August) since it's so crazy hot here. Not sure about recommendations. I'm planning to get a mesh ring sling so I can wear LO into the pool and keep a better hold on him - slippery babies scare me a little!

flyingmommy

We have our own heated pool and took my son in as soon as his belly button was healed. My baby girl is a month old and today will be her first day. It's always good to teach babies to float early on. We are a family of swimmers and coaches so it's second nature to us. My son is five and can swim the length of the pool.