We have an (outdoor) pool at our apartment complex and I'm wondering when it's okay to take Vi swimming. She's five months old now, and I would love to take her, but I'm worried about the pool chemicals on her skin.
Is this an issue or is it fine to take her in? Any knowledgeable people care to weigh in?
P.S. I know she's too young for sunscreen, so if we do take her it will be in the evening when the pool is completely out of direct sunlight.
grapefruit / 4819 posts
We were told that pools are fine after three months, but just make sure to rinse the baby off when they're done swimming. To be fair, all of the pools we've been in are saltwater pools, which I think have fewer chemicals, but we always just showered her off immediately after we got out of the water and gave her a bath later that evening.
honeydew / 7687 posts
@Arden: I wish we had a salt pool near us instead of chlorine but we don't. We did swim lessons at 6 m and rinsed him off before and after http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/the-dangers-of-chlorinated-pools-and-how-to-protect-yourself/
GOLD / wonderful coconut / 33402 posts
We took R swimming at 4.5 months. It was a salt water pool but it was fine. She got a good bath that night just to be safe!
pineapple / 12234 posts
The ped gave us the go ahead at 4 months. I made sure he didn't get water in his mouth and I rinsed him off afterward.
honeydew / 7589 posts
I wish we had a saltwater pool, but there aren't any around us at all. This is an outdoor pool so at least the fumes won't be a big issue, I just don't want to expose her to anything nasty.
On the other hand, I don't want to avoid every potentially great experience just because I'm worried about something...
cantaloupe / 6017 posts
@Arden: I worry about this too, but we are planning to do swim lessons this winter anyway. I guess I feel like occasionally swimming in a pool is probably not going to be that big of a deal in the long run, and she loves being in the water so it will be a fun activity for us. I'm sure the chlorine can cause nasty stuff with too much exposure, but I imagine a rinse before and after and you'll be good to go.
Everything carries some risk. I totally get your concerns, and share them, so mostly I'm trying to convince myself it's fine!
pear / 1895 posts
I've struggled with this all summer. We have a chlorine pool where we live, but I've only taken LO in it maybe 3 times. After seeing all the chemicals that go into the water every week, it's pretty hard to be okay with my baby getting in it. Each time I only let him stay in for around 15 minutes and I bathed him immediately afterwards. He's almost 7 months old now, and he hasn't really cared about the pool. He didn't hate it, but he just seemed kind of meh about it.
Maybe try it once, bathing her right after, and see how she likes it? If she loves it, it might be worth doing more often. But if she's like my LO, you might just decide to forego until next summer.
GOLD / wonderful grape / 20289 posts
I was told pools are fine. Also, the doctor said sunscreen is fine after 3 months as long as you get something natural make sure they get a bath after.
wonderful clementine / 24134 posts
Another thing I have heard, which I'm not sure I totally believe, but it is to shower before entering the pool. Just like it helps with your hair, it helps your skin to get wet and absorb the fresh water first before jumping into the chlorine water.
I also just made sure to rinse her good afterwards.
wonderful pear / 26210 posts
We did swim lessons, in an indoor pool, beginning at 6 months. We did a shower before and after and since it wasn't a true lessons program, I didn't let him put his face in the water.
squash / 13764 posts
We started at 6 months (swimming pools and swim lessons). I never worried too much about it, TBH...he has also definitely swallowed some pool water during lessons!
pineapple / 12526 posts
We were told pools were fine after 3 months. I took C at 3-4 months old and we've been a lot since. She loves the water.
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