How old do babies have to be before you can take them swimming?

[GoodGollyMissMolly]

DD is 7 weeks old tomorrow. I asked my GP today and he said he didn't know

How old were your DC's when you first took them?

I was adviced to wait until the baby had it's first set of jabs.

Oooh not long then. Shes due her jabs next week. I cant wait to take her, she loves the bath and I think she is going to be a water baby.

they can go at any age...

little dippers etc have babies just days old.

cant see any logical to reason to wait for jabs cause the things the jab protect against are not found in swimming pool water anyway.

• children who have never had any jabs can still go swimming

the only thing is they get cold very quickly so be rpepared to litlerally just have a few mins in the water befroe egtting out!

we have been taking dd since 9 weeks would of been sooner but i was recovering from birth complications

dd loves it always has,even at 9 she didnt even cry once
also dd was a water birth so i wonder if that has made her more confident in water

you dont have to wiat for jabs

So I can take her tomorrow if I wanted to?

yes!

Whenever you want, however the advise re jabs is because of the amount of illnesses at swimming pools, so it depends on how clean your pool is.

Also, they still find it really hard to warm themselves up so it is advised to take good care of getting them warm, probably best to have a thick towel on the side of the pool ready to put them in.

What are the best swimming nappies to use. Can you get washable ones?

VS, I bought her a swimming costume and a nice fluffy towel today. Can you take the towels to the poolside?

little floaties are great
see here

These are recommended, have been using them since takign dd at 7 weeks

happy napy

Baby wears a disposable swimming nappy underneath and the happy nappy on top, so you don't get it dirty.

Have also got a wet suit body suit from them to which i used when she was really little to keep her warm at the ppol.

babywrap

Cheeky i know, but have both for sale in small size - pink gingham if youre interested?!

my best advise is about the length of time in the pool too

a few mins is enough as the get cold quick

take your towel/dressing gown and leave it at the side and wrap it round you and baby as soon as you get out

when you get to changing rooms dress baby first then yourself

when your lo grows into a toddler the best thing to do (this is my top tip!) take their dressing gown to the pool and when you get out put them in dressing gown , give them a drink and snack while you get dressed, then by that time they will be f inished drink and you can dress them

my 2 loved these

I took dd at 6 weeks and although it was good, I am going to wait with this one until a bit later on ... dd will be having swimming lessons then, so it will be ideal.

this is adorable! but pricey

nailpolish - my dd is only 7 months so not yet into the worl of todler but what a genius idea. How on earth ill i remember it for another year or so?!!!!

Yes you can take them poolside, molly. All the pool would be likely to say is that you are responsible for them and they can't watch them for you.

If you're worried just ask at reception, even the hardest receptionist will go all gooey at the idea of babies first swim and say it's fine.

Wow thanks everyone, those links are great.

Orchide, I am interested, did it help keep you DD warmer? How do were you asking for it?

Nailpolsih, I really like that snuggler

VS, I have noticed that most women seem to go gooey over babies I never used to but since I have had DD I am the same.

Orchide, I will try that again, How much were you asking for it. NOT how do were you asking for it!!
I cant seem to talk or type correctly today

I took DD when she was about 8 weeks old, i was also told "after they've had their jabs" but like NannyL said, kids who dont have jabs still go swimming!!

Little babies get cold very quickly, we used to stay in the pool for about 5 min with DD (literally 4 or 5min only), it was bit of a shame paying 3.40 to get in then only have a few min in the water itself!

Ho hum, it payed off and now DD loves swimming! It's a nightmare keeping up with her in the water!

GGMM, sorry for the delay in replying.
The wrap was quite expensive when new and was only worn a handful of times. Looking for around £16 incl. p+p

i took dd to waterbabies at 12 weeks old, she loved it, privste swimming pool, so was very warm, like a hydrotherapy pool, proper pool still quite cold for her at 14 mths old, can only stay in for about 10/15 mins and goes blue