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Original poster

Going on holiday to a villa with a pool with 11 month old

38 replies

Justaworriedmum · 18/02/2024 08:09

I’m going on holiday with my baby who will be 11.5 months old (she’s 8 months now) to a Villa that will have a pool with no gate!

Shes not crawling yet but could obviously be crawling and walking by the time of the holiday.

We will obviously be watching her like a hawk whilst we are there but on one of the days we have a wedding so will have a nanny for the day / night from around 4pm. I’m really worried!

Is the best thing to do to say keep inside with the doors locked? I was also thinking of buying a floatation vest to put on her each morning. She won’t understand what it is so won’t be giving her a false sense of security?

OP posts:
Shivermetimbers13 · 18/02/2024 08:14

If someone else is looking after her, then I would say keep her inside (providing the interior is comfortable, with air conditioning).

sashh · 18/02/2024 08:17

Can you ask whoever owns / manages the property to install a pool alarm?

LaPalmaLlama · 18/02/2024 08:21

Yes I’d just ask the nanny to keep her inside for that part of the day. Unfenced pools are the norm across most of Asia and we used to rent them a fair bit. We did used to put ours in jackets around the pool but you need to make sure it’s one that keeps them upright- most of them will allow them to tip face forward so even though they float they can still drown. I forget the one we used but it’s the same as they use in the water parks in Dubai if anyone knows.

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Shivermetimbers13 · 18/02/2024 08:23

Just to add, can't you change the booking and stay somewhere safer for a baby?

Pigglyplaystruant99 · 18/02/2024 15:16

Sorry but there's no way on Gods earth I would a) have booked this villa and b) be hiring a nanny she's never met before for one day (unless you stipulate otherwise).

crumblingschools · 18/02/2024 15:18

I would be rethinking the villa

Station11 · 18/02/2024 15:20

That will not be a relaxing holiday. Change the villa.

Sleepysleepasap · 18/02/2024 15:26

I am very laid back and think a lot of parents are a bit OTT at times but I definitely wouldn't take the risk with the pool if it cannot be fenced off .It literally takes a split second for it to go very wrong!

Escapetunnelalmostcomplete · 18/02/2024 15:31

I'd also look at booking somewhere more child friendly. Can you get your money back? Even watching her like a hawk it is so easy for you both to think the other is watching her, and it takes such a short time for it to go wrong. You can't have a decent holiday if you are on high alert the whole time.

Scottishskifun · 18/02/2024 15:32

We have stayed at multiple places with pools without fences/gates we never left them alone and we took a travel babygate with us. Seems weird but it meant when doing things like meals going in and out we could make sure they were inside.
For the nanny yes I would stay inside or say fine to go for a walk in the pushchair.

You can also use a travel cot like a playpen indoors and outdoors for when you have to do things just take a range of toys and remove the sheet.

Notsonifty50 · 18/02/2024 16:13

I would never stay in a villa with an unfenced pool and a young child. It will not be relaxing and it really only does take a few seconds for a tragedy to occur. Book somewhere else.

pancakestastelikecrepe · 18/02/2024 16:44

Hi OP, we have a family home in Italy with a pool and my two DS spend every summer there.
When they were toddling, I just made sure they were wearing life vests whenever 'outside'. It's hard work being vigilant at all times but I'm sure you'll manage it - I did (they are now 16 and 21 respectively)

pancakestastelikecrepe · 18/02/2024 16:45

@Notsonifty50 you sound fun 🙄

tigerinthejungle · 18/02/2024 16:56

Notsonifty50 · 18/02/2024 16:13

I would never stay in a villa with an unfenced pool and a young child. It will not be relaxing and it really only does take a few seconds for a tragedy to occur. Book somewhere else.

Agreed. Popular myth that only children drown anyway, anyone is capable of drowning - it takes seconds

Rosesanddaisies1 · 18/02/2024 17:00

This wouldn’t even cross my mind to be an issue? Just watch them? And suggest nanny stays indoors with them.

Original poster
Justaworriedmum · 18/02/2024 20:52

I actually think some replies are a bit dramatic. I’m not going to book somewhere else. I am OBVIOUSLY going to ask the nanny to stay inside and we’re also asking her to look after our baby for a day we are at the Villa to see how she is.

I was hoping for suggestions of floatation vests etc?

OP posts:
Original poster
Justaworriedmum · 18/02/2024 20:54

pancakestastelikecrepe · 18/02/2024 16:44

Hi OP, we have a family home in Italy with a pool and my two DS spend every summer there.
When they were toddling, I just made sure they were wearing life vests whenever 'outside'. It's hard work being vigilant at all times but I'm sure you'll manage it - I did (they are now 16 and 21 respectively)

Thank you - my OH grew up in Spain with a villa with a pool so some of the suggestions are really unhelpful! I think basically the answer is to watch her at all times which I knew anyway.

OP posts:
MrsTerryPratchett · 18/02/2024 20:54

Justaworriedmum · 18/02/2024 20:52

I actually think some replies are a bit dramatic. I’m not going to book somewhere else. I am OBVIOUSLY going to ask the nanny to stay inside and we’re also asking her to look after our baby for a day we are at the Villa to see how she is.

I was hoping for suggestions of floatation vests etc?

Statistically pools are more dangerous than guns to children. Dramatic doesn't cover it.

And no, a small child shouldn't be put in a life jacket all day. All the pool alarms and flotations devices wouldn't reassure me.

Shivermetimbers13 · 18/02/2024 20:58

my OH grew up in Spain with a villa with a pool so some of the suggestions are really unhelpful! I think basically the answer is to watch her at all times which I knew anyway

But the point is, you won't be watching her - it will be an unknown nanny.

I wouldn't have a second's peace with this.

Wictc · 18/02/2024 21:04

A float vest won’t save them at that age, it may be more of a hindrance. We took our child to a villa with a pool at that age and we just looked after them. I’m not sure why the big deal is? We took a stair gate to use in their door so if by some fluke they managed to get out of their crib (never did even at home), they would be locked in.

Assuming you know the nanny well and have the upmost trust in them - of course you do as you wouldn’t let them babysit - then no need to worry.

Shivermetimbers13 · 18/02/2024 21:06

Assuming you know the nanny well and have the upmost trust in them - of course you do as you wouldn’t let them babysit - then no need to worry

The OP doesn't know the nanny well, she is hiring her for the day while she goes to the wedding.

InTheRainOnATrain · 18/02/2024 21:25

I’d be ok with the pool if it was me, DH and possibly other trusted close family members with a strict understanding of who was looking after DC so there was never the presumption that someone else was doing it. We have a family house in France where the pool has one of those heavy duty covers that can take the weight of an adult but don’t close it much because the pool goes green, so I do sort of get it- we always know who is watching DC and one person is hyper vigilant at all times.

However, the part that really worries me is the unknown nanny. I left DD in a licensed and well reviewed ski resort daycare centre once and got a letter a month later saying they’d been shut down after they had a child wander off and into the adjoining pool on their watch, thankfully a 4YO that managed to float on their back until someone discovered them because it could have been so much worse. That they stay locked in the house has to be non negotiable but I’m not sure I’d be able to trust a stranger enough to enjoy the wedding so I think if it were me I’d book a different villa.

Also, a child can still go face down in arm bands or a life vest if not being properly supervised, they’re not a solution to anything except being able to have fun in the water whilst not clinging to you.

EighteenBaldingStars · 18/02/2024 21:32

Not what you want to hear/read, but I'd also rethink the villa. Not because I think she'll definitely have a terrible accident but because you won't be able to relax at all.

I took my 18mo to a hotel in Italy with an outdoor pool by the bar area. Meeting up with friends in the evenings was an absolute nightmare. I was having to run after her as she made a beeline for the pool at every opportunity. It was so far from relaxing it is untrue. Never ever again! And that was only when we were downstairs - when up in our room it wasn't an issue obviously. Wouldn't do a villa with an open pool and a mobile toddler (which an 11.5 mo will most likely be even if she's just crawling / bum shuffling) if you paid me a million quid

tiggergoesbounce · 18/02/2024 21:46

We happily took ours to a villa with a pool at that age many times. It was fine as we always made it clear who was watching him.

Sorry though i couldn't settle with a nanny, i dont know, in another country, looking after my toddler. Sorry that bit would be a big no no from me. I would be asking someone i liked (parent or inlaw, sibling, best mate ) and couldn't stomach for a weeks holiday to come along and be the nanny for the day

tiggergoesbounce · 18/02/2024 21:47

Sorry i mean invite someone i could stomach for a weeks holiday to come along, not someone i couldn't stomach 🫣

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