This is a question I’m often asked in the clinic. Often parents ask whether they need to wait until after their baby has his first set of vaccinations.
Actually, the decision is based more on your baby’s size, or surface area: volume ration. This determines how rapidly your baby will lose heat when submerged in water. Babies can lose heat through their skin very rapidly, even in a tropical country like Singapore!
Usually, a baby with an average birth weight (around 3-4kg at birth) with good weight gain afterwards will be able to start swimming at around six weeks of age. This is a good time for Mom to return to swimming as well- starting swimming too early after giving birth may increase the risk of an infection.
When Is The Best Time To Swim?
I usually recommend that if you are swimming in an outdoor pool in a tropical country such as Singapore, you wait and take your baby swimming in the late afternoon, between 4-5pm, when the sun has had a chance to warm the water, but the midday heat has passed. Dress your baby in a SPF sun- protective swimming costume (many have SPF 50+ fabric), and cover his head with a hat.
If swimming indoors in a heated pool, then you don’t need to worry so much about heat or sun exposure. Just pick a time when your baby is not likely to be overtired, hungry or immediately following a meal.
Should I Use Sunscreen On My Baby?
Although many infant and toddler sunscreens often recommend their use only after three months of age, it is advisable to apply it to your one or two month old if they are going to be outdoors and exposed to sunlight for a significant period of time (which in a tropical country may be as little as five to ten minutes). Having seen second degree burns in a young infant patient, I would strongly recommend you use an infant or toddler sunscreen for your baby when he is swimming.
How Long Can My Baby Stay in The Pool?
You will probably find that a small baby who is less than 3 months will only be able to manage around ten minutes in the swimming pool before his lips turn blue or he starts to shiver. This is your cue to take him out of the pool and wrap him in a soft towel to warm him up.
Take your baby for a bath or shower immediately after swimming, as the chlorine in the swimming pool can be very irritant to baby’s skin.
Parents sometimes ask if it is advisable or appropriate to use a floatation device. I would recommend that, whether using one or not, you never take your hands off your baby, as babies can wriggle out of floatation devices.
What are your experiences with your baby and swimming? Did he love it or hate it? Share your experiences in the comments below.
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3 Comments
7 weeks young and took our little one into the pool. She was fine. No fuss. We followed Dr Eptons advice to take her out as soon as we saw signs of the shivers. I’d add two FYIs to the post …
1) we tried to keep baby’s head above water to prevent any water going into her ears and
2) we made sure to clean her vagina very thoroughly after the swim to wash out any chlorine which could cause irritation (a lesson learned from my sister who’s little girl had that issue)
On a smilier side, I’d say a lot of the fun was for us as parents as well as the grandparents … Where we were laughing over our make-shift colour coordinated swimming outfit, taking turns to hold her in the water and snapping away with photos to capture the “first swim”.
Hi Lara,
It’s not necessary to keep her head above water. In fact, some people deliberately allow baby’s head to be completely submerged, relying on the persistence of the “diving” reflex which helps baby to hold her breath appropriately when submerged (it really depends on how brave you’re feeling!!).
If water does get in your baby’s ears, try either putting the corner of the towel at the entrance to the ear canal and tilt her head downwards- water will be drawn out of the ear canal by “capillary action”.
You can also try dropping a couple of drops of vinegar down your baby’s ears which will dry them out- but the smell is quite interesting!
Have fun!
this article so usefull, thanks