Swimming with a cough - will it ake it worse

[Dophus]

DS (2 years) gets frequent colds and coughs. LAst night he was coughing (barking cough) but is otherwise well (no temperature etc). He is enrolled in a swimming course and everytime he so much as sniffs DP won't take him swimming. Obviously I wouldn't take him if is was obviously unwell, but I fail to see how swimming will make his cough worse. It is a dry barking cough as opposed to an obvious wet bacterial chest infection. If anyhting I think the steamy atmosphee (it i a very warm pool) will help. He loves his swimming class.

what do you reckon?

I agree with you - mine have always carried on all activities unless practically unable to walk to the door. But I am notoriously tough on this subject. I am very strict about keeping them away from other children until 24 hours after the last vomit, but apart from that it's business as usual. The only thing about a cough - is he just coughing occasionally, or is he having coughing fits? If he is, then it might be a bit scary for him if he's in deep water. If he's in the baby pool or well in his depth all the time, then I think he'll be fine.

He's not even coughing much during the day. It is a 1:1 swimming class so DP will be holding him all the time.

Go for it then. I think it's really important to give them the message that it's better to do all you can manage when you're a bit poorly. Children are natural born hypochondriacs - anything that conteracts this tendency is a good thing IMHO!