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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

When can I go swimming with my newborn baby?

37 replies

NoTeaForMe · 26/08/2010 14:49

Hi all,

This is thinking really quite far in advance but I have just booked our hotel room for a friends wedding on December 4th. The hotel has a nice indoor heated swimming pool and am thinking that for the first swimming experience this would ne nicer than a cold public pool?!

However, my baby is not due until October 14th so IF it arrives on due date the baby would only be 7 weeks old! Am I being silly in thinking that I could take the baby swimming at this young age?! Just think it is a good opportunity, a nice quiet warm pool for the first time!

Any advice?

Can you tell I am a first time Mom?!?!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

japhrimel · 26/08/2010 14:51

That should be fine afaik!

nunnie · 26/08/2010 14:55

I intended to take DD from a very young age, and found all the swimming items (nappies etc) were from 3 months. So I presumed and probably wrongly, that it wasn't advised to take them earlier.

Original poster

NoTeaForMe · 26/08/2010 14:56

Hmm, hadn't even thought about the fact that swimming nappy and costume may not fit!!

OP posts:

IMoveTheStars · 26/08/2010 14:58

I think a lot of people wait until after the first lot of immunisations.

cinnamongreyhound · 26/08/2010 15:00

I took DS at 5 weeks, basically waited until he liked the bath and then straight to pool :)

Just remember they can't stay in long, they get cold very quickly even if you feel warm. I asked the health visitor at the time and she said they used to advise you wait until 16 week jabs but that that was no longer the advice just to beware of them getting cold and tired.

My main worry was leaking milk in the pool at the time! Had to feed DS wrapped in a towel before I could dress him in the end as he screamed when he got out and the milk came straight away! Much better second time when it was all under control.

Original poster

NoTeaForMe · 26/08/2010 15:01

When are they?
I didn't know if the fact that it would be in a nice, clean, warm pool would make any difference?
Also wouldn't all the chlorine kill any bugs?

OP posts:

NamedAfterTheBandActually · 26/08/2010 15:01

You can go as soon as you like. Just keep your baby lovely and warm.

Littlepurpleprincess · 26/08/2010 15:03

You don't need to wait til jabs. Go when you like.

MigGril · 26/08/2010 15:05

Yes you can, you just have to wait untill the cord has healled.

We did swimming leasions from early on and they only recomend 20-30min max in pool so as they don't get to cold.

The immuisation thing is old advice and no longer applies as it was to do with the polo vaccine that they used to use being a live vaccine and a risk to other pool users ie younger babies who hadn't already had there jabs. But they change the vaccine some time ago so no longer an issue.

giddly · 26/08/2010 15:06

I really don't understand the "first imms" suggestion. The only potentially water-bourne disease they protect against is Polio - and if there's polio in a UK swimming pool it would be headline news! And cholorine would probably kill everything anyway.
You might like to get one of the little wetsuits (body only) if you're going to do it regularly to keep him or her warm.

nunnie · 26/08/2010 15:06

This is good to know, means I can take the next one with DD rather than sit in the cafe as I had planned while Dh took her in. Can you buy swimming nappies for younger than 3 months? Probably didn't look hard enough last time.

nancydrewrocked · 26/08/2010 15:09

DS1 went swimming when he was 3 days old - he loved it and has been a water baby ever since

sorky · 26/08/2010 15:12

we waited until the cord dropped off

eeyore2 · 26/08/2010 15:14

would definitely recommend one of those little 'wetsuits' for babies as that will also keep little one warmer in the water.

Original poster

NoTeaForMe · 26/08/2010 15:20

Yey! Brilliant!

Do they make those little wetsuits and swimming nappies in a suitable 'newborn' size? I've only seen them bigger, but then I haven't looked I guess!

When does the cord drop off?

Is there any circumstances that would mean that I wouldn't be able to swim?

OP posts:

nancydrewrocked · 26/08/2010 15:23

On a practical note, be prepared - I don't actually rate the wet suits for very young babies: they are a faff to get off once wet.

Your baby will be warm enough in the water for twenty mins or so but once you get them out you need them to be wrapped up warm as soon as possible so swimming togs that can be removed very easily a big towel and a blanket on hand are essential.

Then be prepared to feed them immediately.

This may mean that you are sat around in the cold for a bit unless you have an extra pair of hands to help you out.

emmyloo2 · 26/08/2010 15:27

Ooooh good post. My baby boy is due mid-November and we are heading home to Australia in December so I was wondering if I could take him for a dip in the pool. The water will at least be nice and warm being the middle of summer and all.

I intend on taking him to swimming lessons as soon as they are accept babies. My Mum threw me in the pool at age 2 and I could swim like a fish. I guess it is important in Australia with all the backyard pools. So many drownings every year - I don't want to risk it.

Nancydrerwrocked - 3 days! I love that!! Was it a public pool?

sorky · 26/08/2010 15:28

between the 1st and 2nd week I think.

once the cord area is dry we took them swimming :)

Fuzzywood · 26/08/2010 15:30

On the subject of swim nappies, I think the disposable ones do start at age 3 months so with DD I put one of these on then a wet suit type short on top which was for a younger age to make the disposable one tighter. I took her at about 7 weeks, health visitor confirmed you don't need to wait for jabs as all of the things they immunise against are killed by chlorine. Think there is a section on the NHS web site confirming this. Enjoy it, I loved taking her at that age, much easier to change when they lie where you left them :)

cinnamongreyhound · 26/08/2010 15:36

I used a normal nappy inside one of these as the disposable ones were far too big.

Cord drops off after a few days, you'll be absolutely fine by 7 weeks.

nancydrewrocked · 26/08/2010 15:38

emmyloo no first time it wasn't a public pool.

We did take him to the public pool a few days later and caused quite a stir!

I can't recall exactly how old he was but I do know (and I am sorry this is so grim!) that he came out of the pool with part of the cord still attached (it was all tucked up in his shorts) and when I changed him after he had been dressed the cord had fallen off - I mentioned it to DH who had changed him and he was oblivious but obviously it had come off whilst DH was changing him. (puke emoticon)

I made DH go back into the changing room to look for it but no luck. I am so so so sorry if anyone came across that.

Original poster

NoTeaForMe · 26/08/2010 15:43

Cinnamon the link says you just use that as a nappy, and you don't need another one underneath.....did you find that didn't work well then?

OP posts:

Jenko77 · 26/08/2010 15:47

NoTea Good thread. I'm due the same date as you and was hoping to spend lots of my maternity leave in the local pool. Hadn't even thought about how old LO had to be.

Just had a thought though, if we're supposed to bleed for about 6 weeks after birth and not supposed to use tampons.... how does that work? Adult nappies?

Again, first time mum here, so could be a stupid thing to mention!?

Original poster

NoTeaForMe · 26/08/2010 15:50

Hmm, good point Jenko ...... anyone?!

I had wondered about any reason why I wouldn't be able to get in the pool?

OP posts:

nunnie · 26/08/2010 15:52

Those nappies are from 11lb my dd was 16wks old before she got to 11lb, I would probably have to use a normal nappy or pad that out as well if this one is a small baby again.

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