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Parenting

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Original poster

Swimming under 16 weeks

17 replies

kbaby · 25/07/2004 21:24

I read in a baby magazine last month that you can take a baby who hasnt had their injections swimming as the chlorine in the water kills all germs. It even told you how to get them to enjoy the water. When I mentioned this to my health visitor that we were thinking of going swimming she advised me not to and said she wouldnt recommend it. Who do I believe the baby magazine or my health visitor?
Anyone know whos correct.

Thanks

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Yorkiegirl · 25/07/2004 21:28

Message withdrawn

Yorkiegirl · 25/07/2004 21:28

Message withdrawn

Tommy · 25/07/2004 22:09

I was told (and acted on the advice ) that it made no difference whether your baby had had any jabs and the main problem with swimming and tiny babies was the getting cold. If you don't stay for too long (i.e. only about 15mins or so) or get out as soon as they look a bit cold, then you can take them, swimming as early as you like!
My DS1 has been swimming since he was tiny - he is 2and a half now and can swim on his own (no arm bands or anything) Have fun

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Wills · 25/07/2004 22:14

Tommy - I'm impressed. We waited until 9 months with dd1 and she's only just done her first width (4.5 years)!!!!!

johno · 25/07/2004 22:17

i had my Ds in the swimming baths at 2 weeks of age, i asked my midwife who said it was fine, hes 14 month now and we go twice a week and after a hour he still doesnt want to come out

pix · 25/07/2004 22:45

I was told by hv advice about baby not going swimming until they've had their jabs was more for general public's safety than to keep baby healthy (live polio bugs from vaccine in baby poo if any should escape) but such a small amount and wolud be killed by chlorine anyway so whenever you feel happy to do it. Agree that main thing is for baby not to get cold, just been on hols where there was a nice warm pool on site and took in dd 14weeks old, she looked bemused at first but had a really good splash about.

Chuffed · 26/07/2004 09:48

Have been taking dd since 3 months. I heard 3 months was the best age to start.
Can recommend the Kushies swim nappies.

Egypt · 26/07/2004 13:01

where can you buy the kushies swim nappie?

mummytosteven · 26/07/2004 13:03

i was told by HV that the official line was not to take them till after 3rd jabs, but that she personally felt after 1st jabs was fine

myermay · 26/07/2004 13:04

Message withdrawn

Original poster

kbaby · 26/07/2004 16:55

egypt i saw kusshies in mothercare although they only come in ages from 3 months. ive bought dd a swimsuit which will hopefully keep the swim nappy on.

OP posts:

Chuffed · 26/07/2004 21:02

eco-babes has them and they have cheaper postage than php.
Our local mothercare doesn't have the Kushies swim nappy and their washable swim nappies in my opinion aren't worth the money they aren't adjustable enough for the different shapes of babies.

Grizzly · 26/07/2004 22:55

I have been taking DS weekly since he was 8 weeks old - now 11 months. Never had any problems. He loves the water and happily splashes about with armbands. He uses disposable swim nappies with 'aquanappies' trunks (from John Lewis) on top. Most restrictions on age are imposed by the swimming pools themselves, so if your local one is OK about it then go. I agree with the advice to make sure baby doesn't get too cold - we used to stay in the water for 20 minutes only at first - now we manage up to an hour. Take several towels to the poolside, wrap baby up warm - and get them used to having a warm shower to wash off all the nasty chemicals as soon as you get out. The other big advantage is that he tires himself out and usually sleeps for at least an hour and a half, sometimes more, afterwards. Time to read a magazine and have a few nice cups of tea....bliss

TracyK · 05/08/2004 16:48

Hi
I've been taking my ds swimming since 12 weeks old. Check out the governments immunisation web site - they say it's fine for babies to swim even before they start their jabs. It is the polio jab that is the worry as the bug stays alive for 6 weeks afer - so be extra careful when changing nappies. But they say there hasn't been one single reported case of anyone catching the virus since time began!
They also recommend not feeding baby for the hour preceeding swimming to minimise the risk of dirty nappies.
I would recommend the babyswimming web site if you are in the london/oxford area as they teach babies how to swim underwater! I've just got my photos back from his class with him underwater with his eyes wide open and loving it.

GeordieVik · 06/08/2004 14:18

hi, I'm wanting to take 3 month old DS swimming - should I get armbands or any other swim aid? How do babies usually react being showered for the first time after a swim?

thanks.

Piffleoffagus · 06/08/2004 14:25

I took both mine from day almost dot, except after they had their polio sips as that is a live vaccine and can apparently stay alive in swimming pools..
Otherwise I dunked them liberally from about 3 weeks!

jane313 · 06/08/2004 19:16

you don't need a swimming costume over the disposable swim nappies, you can use them on their own.

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