When taking your little one to the swimming pool for the first time, there are many things as parents we must consider:
• What little one needs to wear?
• What do you need to take to the pool?
• Where do you start?
However, one thing we must consider is safety, so I wanted to share with you some useful safety tips which will hopefully make you feel more at ease when taking your little one swimming.
1. Ensure the pool you will be going to is between 30-32 degrees Celsius to make it a pleasant experience for you and your baby. If your baby is below 12lb or 5.4kg, then I would suggest putting the baby in a fleece-lined wetsuit to increase their body temperature.
Temperatures between 32 and 34 degrees Celsius is a lovely temperature for a baby and are fine also for you! You can always ring the pool handler before you plan to go to make sure the pool is ok for your little one, so you can plan accordingly.
2. Ensure the pool is shallow so that you can stand up in the water, ensure you are aware of the pool depth, if you are not sure speak to your lifeguard.
3. Enter the pool from the side, do not use the steps or ladder in case you may slip whilst holding your baby. Here is a safe way you can enter the pool:
• Start by laying baby down on the floor with their feet at the edge of poolside and head away, this will ensure that when baby starts to roll, they won’t roll into the water, so please make sure baby is not lying horizontally to the pool.
• Sit down next to your baby, and whilst keeping eye contact, slowly turn onto your front and slide into the water.
• Once your feet are firmly on the ground, you can then face your baby
• Sit baby up and gently lower them into the water whilst holding them around the torso.
4. Exiting the pool is the same as entering the pool, only in reverse. You may not like lying your baby on a wet floor. However, it is the safest way to enter!
You can use a roll-up changing mat to lay the baby on, or you could use a float if you feel that would be more comfortable for them. Once the baby is out of the pool, they will soon be smiling and happy.
