Sudden aquaphobia

[missedith01]

Hi,

My son is now 5 months old and we've been taking him to the swimming baths every few weeks since June. He's always been OK in the water except for the last two times when he has cried so much I had to give up and take him out pronto. Today, figuring I would take things very easy because he got upset last time, he started vaguely protesting in the car park and then screamed blue murder when he was in the pool up to his ankles ... we had to beat a very hasty retreat with the good ladies of the NCT looking on in askance. (And I'm not breastfeeding either! Suspect this will be at the root of things ... )

On the plus side, he didn't take much drying and won't need a bath tonight ...

I have racked my brains and can't think of anything that has gone wrong at the pool or any significant changes that might have bought this on. After we leave the leisure centre he's fine ... today we went to a park nearby and he had a bottle and spent a happy half-hour gurgling at the sky and trees.

Anyone experienced something similar? Any suggestions?

Thanks!

At five months it could be anything... (sorry!).
It could be that the water is too cold; he's tired / hungry / teething and isn't in the mood. By 5 months he is starting to develop more of a personality and be even more aware of where he is, and doesn't want to go...?
My DS1 went off swimming at about 7 months, and it's only now, aged nearly 3, after a holiday with lots of swimming time, that he's come round.

My DS2 is 8 months, and as he grows and his feeding and nap times flex, there have been times when at 10am he is simply too tired or hungry.

Maybe give it a week or so, then try again- his sleeping / eating / teething patterns may have changed by then.

It's probably the temperature of the water. It isn't the most comfortable sensation even for adults. It might be worth a quick shower before going into the water. This will cool his skin and make the water feel warmer as he enters.

The reaction to arriving in the car park was probably coincidence.

I'd keep trying because he'll probably have a lovely time once he's got over it.

Thanks both ... Al1son he really REALLY hates showers so can't try that one but there may be something in the temperature thing; he's quite fussy about his bathwater (although thankfully he does still like his bath!) The changing rooms at the baths are always topical and the water can be very warm or quite cool.

Zil131 ... I think you might be onto something here, he has definitely got more wilful over the last 6 weeks or so - won't stay on the changing mat, wants to control the bottle, fights getting dressed and so on. He is getting a real handful. I think maybe before he went in the water because that's where Mom was going and he was with Mom, and now he's thinking, "Hey, I don't really want to go in the water."

Thanks again.

The changing rooms are TROPICAL. They aren't up to date with the news at all ...