June 2016 Moms

Infant swim lessons

At what age did you start exposing your little one to the water?  And at what age did you start formal lessons?

I plan to ask my sons pediatrician when we go in August but I'm curious about what others have done. Of course Google has conflicting information as to what age is appropriate to go in the water (some say 2 months old, others say not until 6 months). 

We have a large above ground saltwater pool (that's currently 88 degrees!) and it's important to us that our son is comfortable and safe in the water.  

Re: Infant swim lessons

  • We started mommy and me around 6 months with DS. 
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  • The earlier the better. They can develop a fear of water very easily, but if they are used to it this early, they will have nothing to fear later. 


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  • I can't wait to take Sam swimming. He has the cutest little swim outfit. But I don't know how early he can go in the pool. I think it would be such a fun way to pass some time on these long days.  
  • amangels2 said:
    I can't wait to take Sam swimming. He has the cutest little swim outfit. But I don't know how early he can go in the pool. I think it would be such a fun way to pass some time on these long days.  
    Especially in this brutal heat!  Ugh!
  • If it's YOUR pool and it's clean, start introducing early. It's community pools and public pools that you need to wait. 

    We we have a local swim school that is an indoor pool that's a lot smaller than a public pool, that starts infant swim classes at 3 months. 

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  • Mine would be a community pool :( either the pool at my apartment complex or the pool at my parents neighborhood. 

    And yes @laurendiaz02 the heat is awful. I feel like I just sweat all day long. 
  • From what I've been told you can introduce them immediately. Pools that are well chlorinated or maintained don't have bacterial issues (chlorine kills it off) and that baby is fine in them. Agreed, I wouldnt take them to public pools because you don't know how well they are being maintained and people go even when they have diarrhea and such. 

    We don't have a pool but my little one LOVES the bath and i know will love swimming. And i want her to have strong swimming skills and an appreciation for bodies of water.
  • My ped told me that as long as I don't put sunscreen on him, I monitor his body temperature and I rinse him off as soon as we get out he can go swimming as soon as I was cleared, which was 6 weeks.  We're going on vacation in 2 weeks and he'll be 8 weeks old and we plan on taking him swimming, even if just for a few minutes.  
  • laurendiaz02laurendiaz02 member
    edited July 2016
    @kaitielynnrichardson

    his is swim outfit is so cute!  He looks like he's having a blast! Are the bottoms a reusable swim diaper or is it a cover for a disposable one?
  • @laurendiaz02 it's a reusable swim diaper.  I got it at marshalls for $2.99!  We have disposable ones but they are too big for him- I really like the reusable though!!
  • @laurendiaz02 it's a reusable swim diaper.  I got it at marshalls for $2.99!  We have disposable ones but they are too big for him- I really like the reusable though!!
    We have friends that sell reusable swim diapers on Amazon and they gave us a couple for our twins, they work so so so much better than disposable in my opinion!
  • @Tawny87 can you post a link? Once I'm cleared for the pool I'd love to take LO in. And do they work on containing breastfed baby poop?
    DD1: June '16 DD2: March ‘19 :::: Married since 2011 :::: USN Wife ::::
  • I want to take my little guy into the water soon but I can't find anything that fits him. Where did you find your outfits ladies? Oh and did any of you use a water sling?
  • Are you guys putting sunscreen on your little ones when you take them in the pool? I have a reusable diaper and swim shirt for him to wear. 
  • amangels2 said:
    Are you guys putting sunscreen on your little ones when you take them in the pool? I have a reusable diaper and swim shirt for him to wear. 
    I was told no sunscreen for 6 months. The babies shouldn't be in direct sunlight either. Hats and covered as much as possible.



  • That's what I thought too. No sunscreen until 6 months. But I emailed my pediatrician to see about taking him in the pool and all I got back was sunscreen information. 
  • @ meggyme https://www.amazon.com/Beau-Belle-Littles-Reusable-Creatures/dp/B01076JRQE

    I'm not sure about liquid baby poop but I know it catches the solids. They gave us the diapers when the girls were like 18 months old
  • I had a dream last night that I took DS swimming and I somehow tripped while in the pool with him. We both went under and it took me forever, with lots of slow motion feet failing to stand up again.  It was quite awful. And really?! I finally get enough sleep to dream and that's what I dream about?!
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