Swimming with our 3mth old?

[mfdchief1]

DH and I are going to WDW in May for a long weekend with our DS who will be 3 1/2mths old. Is that too young to swim in public pools?? If anyone has done this, I'd love suggestions on what to bring for him to go swimming!

TIA :wave:

 

[mickeymaniacs]

I would exercise caution because in public pools they can get a little heavy on the chlorine and it might iritate his skin. But if it's not too strong my sister used those little blow up seats. Most babies love water and I'm sure he would probably enjoy it. A little hat to protect him from the sun and some sunscreen and he might have a blast.

 

[ELopez]

I agree with MickyManiacs. All of our babies loved the pool. (Just keep their ears out, of course!)

I didn't notice where you are from, but you do have to watch that Florida sun - be extra careful!

Have fun! :wave:

 

[matt_taylor1985]

Funnily enough, I was thinking about this when taking my 4 month old in October.

 

[Master Yoda]

As posted before the chlorine is a bit heavy so keep an eye on how your child's skin reacts to it. Your child will also be required to wear a swimming diaper.

 

[elizs77]

I personally didn't let my baby in the pool last summer when she was about the same age, and it was my sister-in-law's pool. But, that was just me, and I guess I also wasn't keen on getting into a swimsuit. Also, there is mixed info out there about the safety of sunscreen on children under six months old, so you may want to talk to a pediatrician about any sunscreen recommendations.

We're taking our soon to be 10 month old next month. I've got her a Speedo sun hat, am going to get a very good sunscreen and have bought a cheap-o (well, $15) baby swimming floaty thing that stores in a twisted up circle that I bought at Target. I figure that if I can't get it twisted back up, I will just leave it in FL.

 

[daliseurat]

Along with the swim diaper, sun precaution and chlorine, you also need to check with the resort to see if they ALLOW you to bring floatation devices or not. Many pools have strict rules about that. I don't know if any of the resorts have this restriction or not. But you should check to make sure just in case.

 

[Cole'sMom]

We took our son swimming at 10 and 14 months at the World and we had an inflatable turtle we got at Target. He got a blast out of it! We took him in the toddler pool without the floatie and he loved it as well. Just keep a super close eye on him--he should love it! Have a great trip!

 

[Master Yoda]

Along with the swim diaper, sun precaution and chlorine, you also need to check with the resort to see if they ALLOW you to bring floatation devices or not. Many pools have strict rules about that. I don't know if any of the resorts have this restriction or not. But you should check to make sure just in case.

I would think that they allow flotation devices as they provide them free of charge.

 

[NewfieFan]

If you're not too keen on putting sunscreen on such a young baby you could always buy one of the suits that completely cover them. I have the "full swimsuit" type for both my kids and they're 2 and 4. I always felt more comfortable with them wearing those b/c I would always worry if the sunscreen was wearing off in the water. You can also get the little swim hats as well (sometimes they can match the suit - it's pretty cute)!
Have a great trip!:wave:

 

[minnie2000]

I don't know what the normal vaccination programme is in the USA, but in the UK, babies have 3 vaccinations, at about 3, 4 and 5 months (or about then - I can't remember exactly) and we were told not to put them in a public pool until they had had all these vaccinations.

 

[elizs77]

I don't know what the normal vaccination programme is in the USA, but in the UK, babies have 3 vaccinations, at about 3, 4 and 5 months (or about then - I can't remember exactly) and we were told not to put them in a public pool until they had had all these vaccinations.

Hmmmm.... I haven't heard of any such restrictions here. It might be something to ask the pediatrician about, though, whenever there's a concern.

I think it's so interesting how different countries and even US states do things differently on this kind of stuff. My daughter is 9 months old and has already had 20 shots/oral vaccines.

 

[coltow]

Check with your doctor. They'll give you all the info you'll need. I do know that my dr has told me never to put sunblock on a baby under 6 months old.

 

[MinnieMee]

I don't know what the normal vaccination programme is in the USA, but in the UK, babies have 3 vaccinations, at about 3, 4 and 5 months (or about then - I can't remember exactly) and we were told not to put them in a public pool until they had had all these vaccinations.

The UK have no guidelines now. I was told that I could take my DD swimming at any time. Some people recommend after the first a=vaccination but there is no evidence to say it makes any difference.

There is no reason for your baby not to go swimming as long as you are careful about the sun obviously.

 

[maelstrom]

I can't imagine taking a child that young into a pool.

 

[The Mom]

I think that the suggestion to ask your pediatrician is the best idea offered.

I agree with all of the "arguments" against it, and would also add that I would not bring a baby who is not sitting independently into a pool, even with a baby float. I know when my youngest was that age, I did not go to WDW (my choice, but I went 2 months before my due date) and brought a babysitter with me, and traded off with relatives, when I brought him on our annual week at the beach, rather than bring him into the pool.

But I may have briefly walked into the pool holding him, just to see how he would react. I then went back upstairs and got him out of the sun/heat.