It is well known that small children like to romp in the water – but when is a child actually allowed into the water?
Should babies already be introduced to the cool water and if so, from what age? This article explores the question of how many months babies should swim in the pool or even the swimming pool. Furthermore, various security measures are discussed.
When are babies allowed into the pool?
Stay in the pool or swimming pool should be taboo for the first six months. During this period, staying in the water is too dangerous, according to leading pediatricians.
Diseases can occur because chicco travel high chairs the little ones are susceptible to them because the immune system does not yet function properly. If the baby is about half a year old, getting used to the water (be it in the pool or the swimming pool) can be started.
What dangers lurk in the water?
The greatest danger is drowning. Babies and small children can drown in puddles just a few centimeters deep. The reason for this is the disproportionate size of the head to the rest of the body.
This can come faster due to imbalance under water. There, a shock reflex closes the glottis and this ultimately ensures that a baby or toddler drowns if help does not come in time.
Another problem is found in the form of germs, viruses, etc. in the water. These can make the baby sick.
When floating tires or similar things are used, it is still necessary to make sure that the baby’s head remains afloat. It can easily happen that the tires tip over – and then it becomes really dangerous.
Parents are advised to attend a first aid course. In this, they learn the necessary measures of first aid for a baby. This allows the time until the arrival of the rescue forces to be bridged.
The temperature must be right
Whether in the swimming pool or the home pool. When it comes to the first steps in the water, the temperature must be right.
Therefore, the legal guardians should make sure that the water is around 32 degrees warm. This temperature ensures that the babies do not cool down. In many baths, this temperature is not found in the swimming pools.
However, there are often children’s pools or baby pools. In these, there is a higher temperature than in the rest of the swimming pools. From a swimming pool point of view, this would be a good start to getting the baby used to the water.
In the domestic pool, the pool owners can independently adjust the height of the temperature so that 32 degrees are reached.
Don’t forget sun protection
In addition to all the thoughts around the pool, sun protection must not be forgotten. For babies, special sunscreens are available in stores.
With these, the little ones should then be lubricated. Especially for babies and toddlers, the sun is very dangerous. The sunscreen reliably prevents sunburn.
A sun hat or similar is also part of the standard equipment. If the head remains in the shade of the hat, sunstroke can be prevented. In the water, the headgear can remain on the head. That in itself is not a problem.
The midday heat should be avoided at the pool and in the outdoor pool. Between 11 am and 3 pm it is too hot for the little ones by the pool! Before or after, the time for bathing is better. On particularly hot days, the morning should be avoided, as the babies should sleep when it is finally cold enough outside to be able to go into the water.
On land, a parasol is mandatory. The adult pool or bathers already thank this. But for a baby, the whole thing is many times more important. When you are back on land, you can rest safely under the protection of a parasol then.
What is the best way to get a baby used to water?
If all other safety precautions fit, the essential must not be forgotten. How do you actually get a baby used to staying in the water? The purpose of this section of the article is to answer this question.
In the run-up to the first visit to the pool or swimming pool, it should be discussed with the responsible pediatrician whether there are skin diseases or other impairments that would prevent a water visit.
If the doctor gives the green light, it can already start. Despite all parental zeal, the child must not be overwhelmed under any circumstances.
This can lead to babies developing a fear of visiting the pool or swimming pool later on. Parental care and tact are the top priority here.
If you have a pool or other private body of water at your disposal, it’s best to start here. The environment should be quieter than in a convivial swimming pool.
If this is not possible, it is best for parents to visit the swimming pool at a time when not many people bathe, go. Weekdays in the morning would be appropriate in this context.
Sun protection, floating wings, and Co. should be in use. After slowly going into the water, the baby comes into contact with the situation “swimming pool” for the first time. The time in the water is not too long to choose at the beginning.
If the baby screams or otherwise makes his displeasure clear, the whole thing should be canceled again and postponed to another time.
The habituation phase is only successful if the baby also feels comfortable. In all other cases, only the fear of staying in the swimming pool is promoted.
Alternative baby pools
In the best case, a baby pool is accessible to the baby’s parents. This is where the habituation can best succeed. The reason for this is the much smaller pool size of the baby pool.
This relieves the parents of a lot of tension and makes them look more confident. Young children clearly feel the insecurity of their parents.
That can be a problem with such a sensitive topic. Experience has shown that in a playful phase of splashing around, you make the best progress.
Result
With the right concept, best fold up baby swings you can get babies used to staying in the pool or swimming pool early. This should not be started before the sixth month of life.
If you pay attention to sun protection and a swimming aid, you can make your baby’s first steps in the water relatively fun. A lifeguard vest is therefore recommended in any case.
Nevertheless, the danger of drowning should never be forgotten. The more present this is, the sooner such a misfortune can be prevented.
