Infant swim pool

When babies can go in swimming pools

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The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) doesn't have an official age recommendation for when babies can go in pools, but most pediatricians recommend waiting until your baby is about 6 months old or can hold their head up well on their own (around 4 to 5 months).

When you do introduce your little one to water, keep the following safety tips in mind:

• Practice "touch supervision," meaning that an adult stays within arm's reach of an infant or toddler whenever they're in or near a body of water.
• Always hold your baby in the pool, and don't wade into water too deep for you to maintain firm footing.
• Once your child can walk, teach them some basic pool safety tips: Don't run near the pool, and don't get in the water by yourself.
• Inflatable toys like water wings, inner tubes, and pool noodles are fun to play with, but aren't meant to serve as flotation devices. Have your baby wear a personal flotation device (PFD) that fits properly and is approved by the U.S. Coast Guard.
• If you're going to a public pool, make sure a lifeguard is on duty.

If you're using a swimming pool at home:

• Drain inflatable or plastic pools after use and store them in an upright position.
• If you have a permanent pool, completely enclose it with a fence at least 4 feet high, though 5 feet is preferable. Lock the gate after each use with a latch that your child can't reach.

It's highly unlikely that your baby will get sick from swallowing some pool water, but make sure any device that dispenses chlorine is kept out of reach so your baby doesn't accidentally ingest or inhale chlorine.

Take care that the water isn't too hot or cold. Babies aren't able to regulate their body temperature as well as adults, so their temperature can change very quickly in water that's too cold or hot. And don't let your baby or toddler in a hot tub, spa, or pool heated to more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit until they're 3 years old. The high temperatures in hot tubs can cause a child's heart to race or pose other dangers.

Sun exposure is another factor to consider when getting ready to take your baby in the water. Be sure to lather them up with sunscreen, and have them wear a wide-brimmed hat or sunglasses to protect their eyes. And keep an eye out for signs of overheating: cool, moist skin; dizziness; and leg or stomach cramps.

The AAP recommends starting swimming lessons once your baby's about a year old, though you may see lessons designed for parents and babies as young as 6 months. There's no harm in enjoying some pool time with your baby at that age, and it can be a great bonding experience for the two of you.

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Erin Heger

Erin Heger is a freelance journalist who writes about health, parenting, and social issues. Her work has appeared in The Atlantic, HuffPost, Business Insider, and Rewire News Group. Born and raised in Kansas, she lives just outside Kansas City with her husband and two kids.

When Can a Baby Go in a Pool?

Mr. Golden Sun is shining down and you’re wanting to discover if your baby will take to the pool with a splish and a splash.

But first things first! There are several things you need to prepare for and be aware of before you decide to take your little one for a swim. Read on to learn about the potential water dangers and the best ways to keep your baby safe while having some fun.

If you had a water birth, technically speaking your baby has already been in a pool. Of course, that’s not what we are discussing; but the fact remains that your baby can go into water at any age if the surrounding conditions are given your cautioned attention.

That being said, the chemical content and risks involved in most swimming pools mean that your baby should be at least 6 months old before taking a dip.

Before you take your little one in the pool, consider the following:

Pool temperature

Because infants have a harder time regulating their body temperatures, you will need to check the pool water’s temperature before allowing your baby to go in.

Most babies are very sensitive to temperature changes. The ratio of skin surface area to body weight is higher than that of an adult, so babies are more sensitive to water and even room temperatures than you are. If the water feels cold to you, it is definitely too cold for your little one.

Hot tubs and heated pools hotter than 100°F (37.8°C) are not safe for children younger than three years old.

Pool chemicals

Many chemicals are used to keep a pool bacteria-free. If the levels are not properly managed, bacteria and algae can grow in the pool.

According to a 2011 study, exposure to the chlorine used in swimming pools during infancy can lead to an increase in risk of bronchiolitis.

Children who didn’t attend day care and spent more than 20 hours in a pool during infancy were at an even higher risk with the increased chance for having asthma and respiratory allergies later in childhood.

Though this raises concerns about infant swimming safety, more research is needed to confirm the connection.

Keep an eye on the amount of pool water your baby swallows! You’ll want your baby to swallow as little pool water as possible. We’ll discuss the risks of bacteria and infection due to ingesting pool water below.

Saltwater pools have lower chlorine levels than traditional pools, but they are not chemical-free. The water in saltwater pools is gentler for your baby’s sensitive skin, but other risk factors and guidelines for safety still apply.

Infections and nasty poop

The cleanest of all clean pools can hold all sorts of invisible contaminants. A lot of the bacteria that contaminates a pool can cause an infant to have diarrhea.

And subsequent diarrhea in the pool can cause eye infections, ear and skin infections, respiratory and gastrointestinal issues… poop in a pool is bad.

Babies younger than 2 months of age have extremely vulnerable immune systems. It’s one of the main reasons you’re told to keep baby away from crowds for the first 6 weeks. And again, babies tend to put their hands in their mouths. Think about that for a moment.

Though swim diapers appear to “contain” fecal matter, swim diapers aren’t effective enough to prevent this poopy situation. Recreational water illnesses can be quite serious, notes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Should an accident occur, everyone needs to get out of the pool immediately. The CDC outlines how to rebalance and chemically clean the pool, making it safe to get in again.

Never leave your baby alone — or in the care of another young child — in or near a pool. Drowning is the number one cause of injury-related death among children 1 to 4 years old, with children 12 to 36 months old being at highest risk.

It takes as little as one inch of water, as few as seconds, for a child to drown. And it’s silent.

You should always stay within one arm’s reach whenever your baby is near the pool. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests using touch supervision. This means your baby should always be within an arm’s reach near the water, so that you could reach out and touch them instantly. This may be tiring, but nothing is more important.

Keep your towels, phone, and any other items you may want within an arm’s reach too, minimizing the number of times you have to carry your slippery little swimmer in and out of the water.

In addition to close and constant supervision, the AAP recommends using 4-foot high pool fences on all four sides of the pool and with childproof, locking gates. If you own a pool, be sure to check the gate frequently to make sure it works and locks properly.

Water wings, floaties, or other inflatable toys are fun, but don’t rely on them to keep your baby safe in the water and stay out of the deep end. A life jacket approved by the United States Coast Guard will fit more snugly and is safer than the standard arm floaties we remember from childhood.

Regardless of what you may use to help your small child stay afloat, always remain within an arm’s reach as your baby explores this weightless, free-range playtime.

For additional safety, keep rescue equipment (a shepherd’s hook or life preserver) next to the pool and enroll your little one in swim lessons as soon as he or she is developmentally ready.

Evidence reveals that many children older than 1 year old will benefit from swim lessons, though there are many classes available for infant “self-rescue” survival swimming (also known as ISR lessons).

According to the AAP, babies under 6 months of age should be kept out of direct sunlight. If you’re out and about with your babe, it is best to stay in the shade as much as possible and limit sun exposure during the hottest hours of the day (between 10 a. m. and 4 p.m.). Even on cloudy days, the sun’s rays are strong enough to cause a sunburn.

Using umbrellas, stroller canopies, hats with neck flaps, and UPF 50+ sun protected clothing that covers your baby’s arms and legs will help prevent sunburn.

For sunscreen, don’t apply anything less than 15 SPF and be sure to cover the smaller areas, like your baby’s face, ears, neck, feet, and back of hands (don’t forget how often babies put their hands in their mouths).

You will want to test the sunscreen on a small area of your baby’s back first, to make sure it doesn’t cause an allergic reaction. Remember to reapply sunscreen after swimming, sweating, or every 2 hours.

If your baby gets a sunburn, apply a cool compress to the affected skin. If the sunburn blisters, seems painful, or if your baby has a temperature, contact your pediatrician or family doctor.

• Consider becoming CPR certified. You can find CPR classes with infant-specific training through your local fire department and recreational centers or via the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association.
• Do not swim during a storm. Conditions can change quickly.
• Never leave your baby alone — or in the care of another young child, or an adult under the influence of drugs or alcohol — in or near the pool.
• Don’t keep your baby in the pool water for longer than 10 minutes at first. When you get out, be sure to wrap your baby in a warm blanket or towel immediately. Babies younger than 12 months shouldn’t stay in a pool for longer than 30 minutes at a time.
• Install a four-feet high fence, with a child-proof gate lock, on all four sides of the pool (even inflatable pools).
• Don’t leave pool toys out, enticing your little one to venture near the water.
• Do not let your baby swim if your baby has diarrhea. Always use appropriate swim diapers for little ones who aren’t potty trained.
• Don’t take baby into a pool if the drain covers are broken or missing. Do a safety check on the pool each time before entering.
• Enroll your baby in swimming lessons as soon as you feel your child is developmentally ready.
• Rinse off your baby with clean water after swimming to help prevent potential skin irritations and infections.

Even though it is safe for your baby to got into the water at any age, even you should wait to go in the pool until you’ve been cleared by your doctor or midwife to avoid getting an infection post birth (usually about 6 weeks, or until 7 days after vaginal bleeding stops).

Waiting until your baby is 6 months is also safer for your little one’s growing immune system and body. In the meantime you can enjoy warm baths for water fun.

This may feel like an overwhelming amount of precautions but following the guidelines and tips mentioned above can help keep your baby safe as you enjoy the warmer weather and some poolside fun with your little one.

Baby swimming and baby pool in Nizhny Novgorod - "Bul-Bul" Center

Phones and addresses

Water activities are a great way to improve children's health.
We have created a safe pool for the harmonious development of your children!

Why is early swimming good for your child

The pediatrician explains
Sukhofruktova Anna Grigorievna

After classes in the pool, babies sleep better

Physical activity in the water helps the child fall asleep better. After several classes, he is already getting used to water procedures and is increasingly showing himself in the pool.

Bathing improves muscle tone in babies

Many babies have excessive muscle tension. During activities in the pool for children, they relax and the child feels better.

Promotes the full development of the lungs and strengthens the immune system

Swimming has a beneficial effect on the main indicators of physical development: height, weight, lung capacity. The child's immunity becomes stronger, he is less likely to get colds and other diseases.

Harmonious development of the child from month to year

Swimming in the children's pool for babies has a positive effect on the body, thanks to which the child develops harmoniously. Toddlers really like to swim in the pool next to the same children.

Advantages of "Bul-Bul"

Optimal water temperature (33-35 °C), multi-stage filtration system

Compliance with SanPiN norms and standards

Patented method of children swimming in individual modern baths

Bulbul Instructors - Certified Professionals

Training program

Massage. We prepare the kid for activity in the pool. Massage strengthens muscles and improves blood circulation.

Gymnastics. Gymnastics develops flexibility, strengthens joints, forms a muscular corset, trains the vestibular apparatus. Such an active warm-up is very important before swimming in the pool.

Bath exercises. Each child swims during training in a special individual bath and does not come into contact with other children. The program of classes includes aqua gymnastics, swimming, diving, various types of water activities.

Free swimming. At this time, you can improvise, frolic and enjoy the freedom of movement. "Swimming without rules" helps to love the water even more, remove all fears and cheer up children.

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Yulenka Kurbatova

07/03/2017

I recommend everyone who has small children to visit the Bul-Bul children's swimming center. My baby and I have been practicing since 3 months, now we are already 5.5. At home, it’s still impossible to dive like that, and even under the supervision of an experienced instructor Vlad, it’s safe. Since we have a boy, it is very important that the instructor is a man. Vlad, despite the whims of the baby, found an approach to him. And the administrator Ksenia is very attentive and will always help you get ready. After classes, the baby sleeps at night not 5-6 hours, as usual, but 8-9)) which makes me very happy. And we also really like to study in a group, where the baby looks at other children with great interest and the lesson is more fun.

Elena Vovk

07/03/2017

And we have been going to bulbulcentr https://vk.com/bulbulcentr since 2.5 months and are very satisfied: I am a mother and a son. We are satisfied with the process itself - how the classes are going, what a positive atmosphere in the classroom, which is created by friendly instructors Vlad and Gunay, administrator Ksenia. The kid smiles, enjoys both massage and gymnastics, and he also likes it in the water. Already in the third lesson, Georgy mastered dynamic gymnastics, I looked at the process and was surprised with what confidence Gunay takes Gosha by the small hands and starts swinging from side to side ... This is real professionalism, I am very glad that I came to your classes and I can trust your dear baby.

Anastasia Zyryanova

05/30/2017

I was at the seminar on April 29, I liked everything very much, so much useful information, you have time to listen and write down. I left the seminar very inspired) They told not only what you can read and find somewhere, but also on the basis of observations, how a child remembers everything even at an unconscious level. Thank you very much 🤰🏼👌🏻

Tatyana Gabitova

05/30/2017

Post of joy🎊🎉Today we went to boule boule, and my baby liked it so much, he just laughed with delight ..... I met good and pleasant mothers... In general, we will go again and more than once🤗🤗 🤗 I fell in love with this center😍😍😍

Anastasia Nechaeva

05/30/2017

And we really liked the classes!! We went to the Br. Kashirins. Everything is so comfortable, pleasant administrator, wonderful and very attentive instructor! My daughter is happy with massage, gymnastics, and swimming! 👍👍thank you very much!! 😊

Valentina Khalina

05/30/2017

Were at the first lesson, very, very, very much! I didn’t even expect that the baby would be so pleased, I never even got capricious) Thanks to our instructor for the help!😊

Alexandra Kudinova

05/30/2017

Were completely delighted with your center) I recommend it to everyone!

Sofia Fedchenko

05/30/2017

We have already had several classes, and we are satisfied with everything. The first time it was scary, but now we got used to it and get great pleasure from swimming. Plus, the child began to sleep better after classes) And this is a great relief for both me and my husband. I will advise all my girlfriends)

Alla Kulagina

05/30/2017

I want to join the other reviews. The godmother gave us a subscription to the first lesson, thanks to which we had a chance to visit here. To be honest, I did not think that we would enjoy swimming so much. The baby is delighted and the mother is happy. I recommend to everyone, there is no better place for baby swimming!

Loskutov Sergey

02.05.2017

A big THANK YOU to instructor Anastasya Reshetova for help in training and raising our little healthy champion!!! Here is the result of training in Bul-Bul - Alexander took 3rd place in the city competitions in the age group of 7-9 months

Skomorokh Elena

02. 05.2017

Thank you for your professionalism and the wonderful good-natured atmosphere that reigns in you! What a pity that the children grow up quickly and have to leave you!!! ((((I want to say by my own example that there is no such sincere and friendly atmosphere anywhere! !) We miss you very much))) Elena and Lev Skomarokh)))

Murashova Ksenia

05/02/2017

We went to bul-bul from a month to eight, with short breaks. Very cool, we liked it, it was easy to learn how to dive! Now the baby is almost 3 years old, he dives with might and main, he is not afraid of water, he swims under water, he emerges on his own, though he hasn’t learned to swim above water yet) thanks Bul-bul, I advise everyone!

Kotelnikova Olga

05/02/2017

We are 8. 5 months old, on January 23 they came for the first time, I was very worried about how the child would behave, if he would be scared. But all my fears were in vain) My daughter was simply delighted with swimming and even when she dived she did not cry) Very friendly administrator and the best instructor Maxim. Thank you very much for giving positive emotions and making our children happy!😊

Sutormina Yana

05/02/2017

After waiting for us to be a month old and we finally get a certificate of contact, we went to a trial lesson in Bul-Bul, which is located along the Kashirin Brothers! 💦 For the first time, of course, it was exciting how the lesson would go, whether the kid would like it😬, but as it turned out in vain!! everything is just at the highest level!! starting with a radiant, friendly administrator girl, and ending with a very comfortable room where you can safely feed your baby after class! "your precious part"). And here we are also unspeakably lucky!👏🏽 Instructor Maxim is very attentive and kind to the children!Despite the fact that there are four people in the group💪🏽, he sees every movement of mothers, and if something is not so, he will definitely correct and help. It is not scary to trust your baby in his strong hands! In general, if you still doubt whether to go to engage in the improvement of your child in Bul-Bul ... do not hesitate !!!!

Saydyakova Oksana

05/02/2017

We went on a baby swimming for the first time, although we had been going for a long time; went to the Br. Kashirins, sooo happy !!! We had an individual lesson, it’s just super, the baby is happy 🙏☺ we had fears that she would be frightened and be capricious, but our fears were in vain, thanks to the instructor Maxim, the baby felt comfortable in his hands and was not afraid ☺ we are very glad that we visited you , be sure to come again 👍

Kirillova Lilia

05/02/2017

Went today for the first time!! Were on the Kashir brothers. Everything went great. We are delighted. A wonderful instructor Maxim, a very nice administrator girl 😊😊😊. We took a subscription, we will continue to walk

Marina Zhitnik

05/02/2017

There is no better place for baby swimming! At first I doubted, diving and the state of the water in the baths alarmed me. But six months later we dive with pleasure and even make attempts to swim under water. It’s a pity that soon we will grow up and will no longer be able to visit your pool 😔

Daria Myslyaeva

05/02/2017

Thank you bool bool for wonderful classes! Special thanks to instructor Olga and administrator Kristina. You girls are the best! The time has come and it's time for us to move to the pool for older children. We recommend you to all our friends! Thank you for the interesting classes, for the good attitude, for the wonderful emotions! The time will come and we will definitely come to you again 😉

Sofia Fedchenko

05/02/2017

Several classes have already taken place, everyone is satisfied. The first time it was scary, but now we got used to it and get great pleasure from swimming. Plus, the child began to sleep better after classes) And this is a great relief for both me and my husband. I will advise all my friends)

Alexandra Kudinova

05/02/2017

Were completely delighted with your center) I recommend it to everyone!

Children's pool in Nizhny Novgorod

"Bul-Bul" is Russia's largest federal network of early swimming for children from 1 month to 1. 5 years. For 6 years of work, we have opened more than 60 branches in 40 cities and have earned an impeccable reputation as the best wellness center for kids.

"Bul-Bul" centers in Nizhny Novgorod are a great way to improve your child's health. Bul-Bul instructors are experienced professionals who know how to properly handle babies.