DS just had grommets put in, but we need to take him swimming..... advice please

[Wolfgirl]

DS is 4. I took him swimming for the first time about 3 weeks ago. He was so nervous it was pitiful, and shame on MEEEEEEE for not taking him sooner. I just hate swimming, like with capital letters. However, Im over coming my pet hates in order to see him right iykwim.

The nervousness will pass Im sure.

But my questions are about grommets and swimming. The doctor said he can go swimming 2 weeks after having them put in, and it might be an idea for hime to wear ear plugs.

But what kind of ear plugs? Foam or wax or what?

We want to get back on track this weekend, taking him, but want to be prepared with the plugs if they are needed.

[Wolfgirl]

ooooh, that site looks interesting. I'll look into it further. Thank you m'dear

[Reallytired]

It is not worth taking the risk of getting water in your child's ear. My son had a real nightmare with grommets.

I think putty buddies with a swimcap are best.

www.swimstop.co.uk/ear_band-it.html

[Wolfgirl]

25 squid! oh my giddy aunt!! I think Im favouring cotton wool and vaseline more and more

[geogteach]

the moulds you get at the hospital are called swim moulds and I think they cost about £25. They are easy to keep in though as they are an exact fit. DS1 is up for his 3rd set of grommets soon, we have been assured he can carry on swimming afterwards, need new moulds though as his are a couple of years old, they are similar to those on his hearing aids and they get redone every 6 weeks or so we are definately overdue for new ones

[Wolfgirl]

Thanks czn, Its not a fear of water, more a fear how to cope with two little ones under 4, on my own. Plus I hate getting out all wet, and going home damp, esepcially in the winter.

DH came with me last time, and it was actually a fun trip, so we will all go again.

I say Im not fearful of the water, but the older Ive become I HAVE become fearful of going in the sea. Im petrified of sharks, so goodness knows what I will be like on my holiday. And here is a woman who used to scuba dive (PADI open water qualified even if you dont mind!!!), snorkel and dive etc. But now..... and the fear is getting steadily worse. I curse that film jaws, I swear!

[czn]

Hi, My ds (4.5) has grommits at the moment and I have been paranoid about swimming and won't let him go under the water. I use Boots own Swimming earplugs which are great. I did buy the earplugs that you can mould to the ear with the band (Zoggs do them) but found it useless for his age (plugs too big for his ear) and the band was really tight and uncomfortable.

You are doing really well taking him and hopefully it will help you overcome your fear of the water too. Good luck.

[hairycaterpillar]

A friend of mine is an ENT surgeon and he swears by cotton wool in ear with smear of vaseline over it.

[CaptainUnderpants]

Soak the cotton wall in vaseline -

[Wolfgirl]

thanks ladies. I will phone ENT and see what they say about having moulds done, else I will opt for the vaseline and cotton wool. Do you put the vaso on the CW or in the ear first...??

[CaptainUnderpants]

Cotton wool and vaseline recommended by our ENT consultant aswell .

[CaptainUnderpants]

Ds (5.5) had grommets and we couldn't swim until he has his post op check up about 6 wks later ! Nighmare as he is a real water baby.

Afetr check up consultant said that earplugs were not rquired for swimming.

Since last July he has been swimming every week plus swimming on holiday where he was jumping in .

He only advised blocking the eras up when we washed hair to prevent soapy water getting in as this can cause an infection - as we found out before Christmas >He was then advised not to go swimming until it had cleared up .

If you do need ear plugs then use ones that you can mold and use a hand band to keep them in place .

[cazcaz]

My ds (4) is on his third set of grommets.
He has had a set of plugs made for him at the local hearing services linked to the hospital. They start by taking a mould of the ear so they don't fall out.

It is worth contacting ENT again and asking them where you can get them done properly. They should be perfectly used to this question and point you in the right direction. You do normally have to pay for them.

Our consultant told us that even when using the earplugs they shouldn't really put their head more than one foot underwater.

Good luck with the swimming - hard to tackle a pet hate isn't it. Well done you!

[Wolfgirl]

Graciefer

GooseyLoosey and Belgo they went in about 2 weeks ago. But the surgeon/consultant said swimming was OK after 2 weeks, which is why I thought to take him. But I would prefer plugs really.

I shall google to see what products are out there, not sure he would wear a headband.

[nessy18]

Cotton wool and vaseline held in place with a swimming hat was all I found would work, just told not to put head under the water though.

[Graciefer]

*fell not fell

*ear not eye

*someone not some

*made

I really should preview my posts!

[GooseyLoosey]

IS he allowed to go? When I had them as a child, I was not allowed for some time afterwards (though had other ear related things too so don't know which one cause swiminglessness)

[Graciefer]

When DS still had his grommets (they feel out recently) getting eye plugs to work in the bath or swimming was an absolute nightmare.

We bought many different brands, but found that none were as good as some cotton wool and lots of vaseline.

However I did see some mention some ear plugs that come with a headband that are made supposed to be great for swimming and staying in the ears and keeping them completely dry, however it would depend on if you DS would keep the headband on.

Sorry, I can't recall the name of this product, but I am sure it will be easy to find on google.

Hope this helps.

[belgo]

How long ago did he have the gromits? We were told no swimming for three weeks afterwards.

I think there are special swimming ear plugs in Boots - it's probably best to ask the pharmacist.

[Wolfgirl]

anyone?