How old should your baby be before he or she has their first dip in the pool? Some sites suggest as young as 6 weeks, while others suggest waiting 12 weeks.
Most Mommy & Me classes begin at 6 months of age, but if you have a pool in your backyard, you can go in together nearly anytime conditions are good.
Infant swim programs don’t really do much swimming, the focus is on calmly enjoying the water; building up to some breath control and movement control, surfacing and rolling over for air, and where to find the pool exit.
To help your baby enjoy their first pool experiences with you, I’ve put together a quick list of five things to keep in mind for baby’s first swim, and a list of ten swim lesson ideas for babies or toddlers.
1. Warm Pool Water
Mothers the world over know that the bath water has to be right, or else you face a fussy bather. When the water is warm however, 85-90° F, all is right with the world, and everyone enjoys bath time. It’s the same with pools, although, when you are holding baby close to your skin, you may also enjoy pool water in the 80-85° range. If your water tends to stay cooler, consider a solar blanket, which can add 10° to the water.
2. Swim Diapers
Whether in your own pool, or another pool, a Swim Nappy, as the say in the UK, is a required piece of swim gear for babies and toddlers. Swim Diapers aren’t poo-proof, and they won’t contain large, um… outbursts, but they fit snug around the waist and legs to buy you enough time to quickly exit the pool. Wearing a secondary thin diaper underneath can also be a good idea.
3. Water Sanitation
Make sure that your pool water is balanced, sanitary and well filtered, so that you can be reasonably sure that no germs are in the water. Test your pH, alkalinity, calcium and cyanuric acid levels, and be sure that a Free Chlorine residual exists of 1-3 ppm. Skip the lesson this week if the water looks cloudy or if you spot algae growing.
4. Sunscreen
For sensitive baby skin, use a sunblock cream that won’t wash-off in the water. Avoid using sprays which your baby may inhale. A thin fast drying swim shirt or tank suit with a cute little sombrero can be an alternative to potions and lotions. Umbrellas that can be placed near the pool can also give some shade while you bounce in the water.
5. Well Rested & Well Fed
But not too well-fed! Avoid feeding within 30 minutes of going into the pool, to prevent spit-ups. And if baby needs a nap, this swim lesson for baby may turn into nap time on your shoulder!
6. BONUS: Sangria For A Job Well Done
Hey fellow Mom, you kinda were responsible for planning and making the day as special as it is therefore you deserve a treat and a toast to a job well done!
