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Parenting

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Original poster

What age for first trip to swimming pool?

21 replies

MimiDaisy11 · 10/10/2021 18:21

I’m curious at what age your child first went to the swimming pool? Any recommendations? I see it can be at any age. I’m thinking of waiting until 6 months.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

RainyDayzs · 10/10/2021 18:23

Any age really, I did wait till 6 months as I thought he'd enjoy it more, which he did!

User5827372728 · 10/10/2021 18:25

First one 3 month… no bloody idea why!!

Second one was waiting for about 10 months then covid happened so about 16 months!

ElspethFlashman · 10/10/2021 18:25

I'd wait until they can sit up with good stability.

Then they'll enjoy the splash pool more.

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CaurnieBred · 10/10/2021 18:26

Started baby swim classes as soon as first injections were done, so around 3 months

Nomoreusernames1244 · 10/10/2021 18:28

I think we took them asap- in those days it was recommended to wait until after second set of vaccinations so about 6-8 weeks?

Very short sessions at first. Just to get them used to the noise, water etc. Usually about 10 mins as they’d get hungry quickly.

Big benefit is they sleep very well after!

Water has always soothed ours, if they were tired or upset a play in the bath calmed them down.

Rogue1001 · 10/10/2021 18:28

Day after jabs

EvilWhich · 10/10/2021 18:29

Both of mine were 5 weeks but it was a hydrotherapy pool that was really warm and UV filtered

LakeShoreD · 10/10/2021 18:32

My first was 10 weeks in a family members pool in a hot country, my second was 4 months in a hotel pool but it was a kiddy specific pool so nice and warm. Both of them fell asleep in the water!

TacoTues · 10/10/2021 18:39

For me it's depended on the weather and their ages.

If they're 6 months in spring/summer then great. But would wait for the following spring/summer if they were 6 months during colder times.

stayathomer · 10/10/2021 18:41

We took ours too late, when they were school age, it's one of my big regrets

thesugarbumfairy · 10/10/2021 18:44

My first was 4 months. He quite enjoyed it but he wouldn't leave my side until he was about 4.
My second was 18 months as I had to wait until I could find a class time when DH could watch DS1 whilst I took DS2. He loved it immediately. 4 months later they said he can come in without you if he wants to. He did want to. I was a bit

HalfShrunkMoreToGo · 10/10/2021 18:46

My dad took me every week from when I was a week old, I never needed arm bands or floats and had completed my gold badge by the time I was 4.

All went to shit when I was 8 and decided I hated all sports and wouldn't do them 😂 but in terms of developing confidence in water and ability to swim I would say the earlier the better.

Due to working full time, waiting lists for lessons and then Covid closing all the pools we weren't able to get DD into any swimming lessons till she was 6 and it's slow going building that confidence.

Zarene · 10/10/2021 18:48

I wish we’d been as soon as possible, but COVID meant we waited till 6 months ish. If you enjoy swimming there’s no reason to wait!

Cardboard33 · 10/10/2021 18:50

About 2/3 months, he's had weekly "swimming lessons" since that point (with a year off for covid) and is now 2.5 and loves water. He's not yet swimming independently but I think he probs would have been closer if we'd been able to go swimming (the pools in our local area were inexplicably closed from March 20 through go April 21) for the last year. I was/am a competitive swimmer and used to spend my life at the pool until I went to uni, and my husband also competed for a swimming team, so it is important for us for any children that we have to enjoy the water as much as we do and be confident in it.

Fdksyihfd · 10/10/2021 20:17

My first was about 3 months and second was 18 months due to covid but he was quite freaked out by it all so would have been better when younger. We started baby swimming classes at 4 months and DD always slept well after

Original poster

MimiDaisy11 · 11/10/2021 15:53

Thanks for the replies 😀

OP posts:

AegonT · 11/10/2021 17:19

Any age if the pool isn't too chilly and they have a warm wetsuit.

DynastyBarry · 11/10/2021 17:22

Youngest was a few weeks to hydro with her siblings for their therapy, only kept them in 10 mins or so as it's warm

Dashdotcom · 11/10/2021 17:52

My little boy was around 4 months when he started classes with puddle ducks, now 8months and loves splashing. If it’s a heated pool id say 4-6months, I used a insulated wrap for the first two so he didn’t get so cold.

Chelyanne · 11/10/2021 19:01

When they're very small they can't stay in long even if it's heated as they get cold quickly.
I've been thinking of taking our latest addition but she still doesn't like bath time, she's 9wk. I think once she starts to enjoy the bath I will try her at the pool.

Superstar22 · 11/10/2021 19:03

Started swimming lessons at 5 weeks old. Ten years later still going 🤣

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