Taking baby swimming

[Newmummy1234]

Hello
My DD is 5 weeks old. I was wondering how old your DC was when you first took them swimming in a public pool? And how did it go?
I want to take my DD but wasn't sure if it was a bit early?
Thank you x

Mine had both had their first set of jabs, so 12 weeks ish?

I didn't want to take them before that, not evidence based at all, just wanted them to be a bit older and protected from a few germs before they went.

Bear in mind that even learner pools in public pools can be quite cold, so I'd recommend the wetsuit style swimsuits and only staying in for 20 mins the first time you go.

I also waited for the jabs, but there's no need really. There was a baby who joined our swimming group at about 10 days old! Some pools are warmer than others. You can check which pools in your area have Waterbabies classes- they only use pools over a certain temperature.

We went at 4 weeks. We had a wetsuit style swimsuit and only went in for 10 mins the first time. Take lots of big towels to wrap them in after and enjoy. DS loved it. x

dd was about 4 weeks old. I am terrified of water and don't want her to be the same. we then signed up to water babies lessons to help build both our confidences

DS went at 9 weeks. I got him one of these and only kept him in 20 mins the first time ( warmer child's pool). He was toasty warm when we got out but I had a towel at the side of the pool, took the wetsuit off Asap, wrapped in dry towel and fed before dressing. He stayed nice and warm and slept like a log afterwards! He loved it! Enjoy

Hi Everyone, as a baby swimming teacher, you can take little one swimming from birth - the NHS state that you do not need to wait until they have had their jabs. However, i would recommend that if they are under 12 weeks or 12Lbs in weight, you take them to a pool which is 32C plus or make sure they wear a wetsuit which fits and will keep them lovely and warm. Babies are not good at regulating their own body temp until they are older. You can tell that they are cold by blue fingers and lips in which case, get out and use your body heat to warm them up!
sounds like you are all doing the right thing and having fun too - brilliant!

We went at 6 weeks but was a private pool. I would've been happy to go to a public pool though.

This is what the NHS says:

"You can take your baby swimming at any age, both before and after they have been vaccinated. It doesn't matter if they haven't yet completed their course of vaccinations.

Some leisure facilities may suggest that babies shouldn't go swimming until they have had all of their jabs. However, this advice probably dates back to when polio was common and people were concerned it could spread in busy places, such as public swimming pools.

There have been no cases of natural polio infection in the UK for over 20 years (the last case was in 1984). About 40 cases of polio have been reported in the UK since then, but these were thought to have been acquired abroad or occurred as a very rare side effect of the attenuated polio vaccine (containing the live virus) that was routinely used up until 2004.

The Department of Health says that you can take your baby swimming from a very young age. There is no need to wait until they have been vaccinated."

I take my baby swimming a lot. We go to Water Babies classes which we started when he was really little (I think 2 months?), they help because they give us things to practice outside of the lessons, I probably wouldn't have known what to do with him otherwise. He's 7 months now and can go under water very confidently and hold on to the side. They are a bit money grubbing though (the photos they try and sell you are outrageous) but there's no where cheaper doing a similar thing in our area unfortunately.

Alternatively, I have this book which looks quite good:
www.amazon.co.uk/Teach-Child-Usborne-Parents-Guides/dp/1409527700/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1429517619&sr=8-1&keywords=teach+your+child+to+swim

And as PP said, in most public pools you will probably need a wetsuit. DS is fine in a toddler pool now but as a newborn I would have still put him in one. In an adult pool I would definitely put him in one still, and will do for some time. We have this one and have been happy with it (our local pool is very cold, but he has always been fine):
www.amazon.co.uk/Splash-About-Baby-Neoprene-Wetsuit/dp/B00IK006OC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1429517673&sr=8-1&keywords=splash+about+wetsuit+baby

Great advice about the immunisations!
Just a thought, you can ring public pools prior to going there for swimming lessons and ask them what the pool temperatures are - they should be displayed on the reception desk so it would be easy for them to give you this information. Do not be afraid to ask. Temperatures below 30C are not suitable for babies under 6 months.
I hope this helps

I took my daughter last week, she was 11weeks. Like others I wanted to wait till after first jabs. Nurse said to wait 2weeks. She was only in for about 10 mins but loved it! I just had a swimming costume and swimming nappy no arm bands or floats etc. I'm going to take her every other week. Then probably start lessons at about 6 months because they are half an hour long so she wouldn't last that long in the pool. Have fun x

Run a deep bath! Never understand why parents of tiny babies voluntarily put themselves through the hell of public swimming pools there is no point. You will spend enough time taking your kids swimming over the years make the most of not having too. And yes I am doing the swim run today (mine 8 and 6). Stay at home for sure.

Mine loved swimming from tiny kerela. It's always calmed him and a bath doesn't have the same effect.