How old was your LO when you took them in a pool?

[aegis2005]

My nephews are coming to visit in April and they were asking me if Shane would be able to go swimming with them at my parents house.

Obviously I'd need to take into consideration things like sun exposure and the boys jumping in the water - but is 6-7 weeks too young to take a baby into a pool? I really don't know ...

[sara76]

I'm pretty sure A was 4 months. I took her into the water at the beach around 4 months too. The beach water was for about 1 minute and the pool about 15, with sunscreen and a floppy hat. The only reason it wasn't longer is I was paranoid about sun exposure bc I'm moley and she's possibly inherited it.

[melis74]

I believe the books tell you something like 6 months because a baby's temperature isn't regulated like an adults until then. That being said, Mia went in our pool(which is heated) after she had her two month shots....it was our own pool and I'm sure she would've been fine before her shots, I was just paranoid like that.

[mrsmew]

We waited until 4 months, but that was also the first opportunity we got. When we asked our pedi about it before hand (b/c I had also heard the 6-month thing) she was far more concerned with sun exposure than anything else.

[amellis2]

I think the girls were 8 months or maybe a little older. 1) We did not have access to a pool for the first 6 month and 2) It was cold until about March. I would think that is too early, so I would let him come out and enjoy the fresh air for a little while and then go back inside. He'll probably still be sleeping a lot at that age.

When he is ready for pool time, what PPs said: sunscreen and hats!

[jennifer8080]

Kennedy was about 6-8 weeks, and Caleb was 4 weeks. The most important thing is the temperature and limiting the length of time he's in, because that young they don't always have full control of their body temperature. Also, we tested sunscreen on their arm just a little before going out. We used organic California baby sunscreen and had no issues.

[aegis2005]

Thanks ladies. My nephew is 6 1/2 and he keeps asking me what he can and cannot due with the baby. Some of his questions are no-brainers and others make me scratch my head. I laughed when he said "he's probably going to sleep a lot, isn't he?" I think it's cute how excited he is to spend time with his cousin

[mrschelseap09]

5 or 6 months and we used a UV swim top for extra protection.

[sara76]

That's cute. I love family. Enjoy that because my 12 year old niece is so busy trying to stay cool in middle school that the excitement of her cousin wore off quick. Man am I dreading middle school.

Also, I would have had zero clue about most any thing to do with babies and when they do what until my little one arrived. Then a lot is just instinct and comfort level based on you, your baby, and your baby's doctor.

[dvroxy]

We did with MacKenzie at 4 months. Maddie will be older since it is too cool to take her in our pool now.

[mrsshawanab]

B was about 3 months but it was July/August and very warm, very warm water. Our pediatrician advised waiting until 6 months before a public pool, but a person's private pool wasn't as big of a deal. But she also said she was a little conservative on that stuff and it was up to me. I always put a swim shirt on B as well as a hat and I try to keep him under an umbrella when we are at the pool and take him in the actual pool in short time periods.

[jen812]

Shawna touched upon what I was going to say. I read that the chemicals get absorbed into baby's sensitive skin too easily before 6 months. Think of all the harsh chemicals in your pool + sunscreen. In the ocean there could be E. coli. Just another element to consider.