i have an eight month old son and iam 7 months pregnant i am considering trying a bit of swimming to relax me as i have a constant sore back and legs. anyway my question is should i take my son with me or leave him with his grandma for an hour? would it be wise to take him and get him used to the pool, before i put hi in swimming lessons? it's an indoor pool!
2006-08-20 11:26:32 · 37 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Other - Pregnancy & Parenting
YES!
YES YES YES YES!!!!!!
Take all of the proper precautions, of course, even if it means having someone else there with you to help out, but this sounds like a fantastic opportunity to spend some quality time with your child before your new bub comes along. It is a wonderful way to enjoy some fantastic, low-impact excercise (which will be so beneficial for you for soooooo many reasons!), and lets face it, it is FUN!
My daughter is the absolute epitome of the Australian surfie chick, and she's only 14 months old!! She absolutely adores the water, we had her in a baby (shallow) pool by 2 months, we had her in an adult pool by about 4 months, and she was in strong-ish surf by 10 months! We got a few worried glances to start with, but you just had to look at the absolute fearless joy on her little face to realise that it would be wrong to DEPRIVE her of this wonderful experience!
Of course, when I talk about her being in pools and in the surf, we (myself, or her Dad in the stronger waters) are holding her, and we use our own discretion with floatation devices. Sometimes they seem to aide her a little (when she's feeling lazy!), but they usually get in her way and prevent her from kicking/paddling very well... she's only a small girl, so maybe this would not be such a problem in bigger children, I can only speak from what we've experienced!
Introducing your children to water, and teaching them how to SWIM from an early age is a skill that might well SAVE THEIR LIFE one day. I cannot stress just how vital a skill it is for children. We have nursery learn to swim classes run in my area from 3 months. Mind, the pool is more like a big, warm bath!!
Maybe Australia is particularly vigilent with water-safety awareness for children, as it is such a tradition to go to the beach, or even just to hop in the pool (every other house has one) during our long, hot summers! Either way, it is a concern I fear is not taken seriously, or even addressed with many parents who refuse to allow their children in the water, forgetting that their children might JUST END UP in the water one day!! I sure as h*ll know my little girl would be kicking away, floating on her back, doing everything she could, not just freaking out because she's never even BEEN in water before!!
I realise that I may seem a little, well, obsessed! But as I said before, it is an issue of great concern in my part of this country at least, and I fear that not enough people are even willing to acknowledge the fact that more children die in family pools than in oceans, rivers, lakes etc. etc. every year. It is such a responsible move as a parent to introduce your child to water and the joy of swimming at such a wonderful age, when he will be so open to new experiences, and so adaptable to new ideas.
Congratulations on your precious boy and good luck for your impending joyous arrival. xx
2006-08-20 13:54:34 · answer #1 · answered by Lucy Goosey 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can take him to the pool with you, provided that you have a good floatation device. You can both have some wonderful time together. My son is 8 months, and we've been swimming together and enjoying that very much, but given the fact that you are 7 months pregnant, i believe this might be a lot of effort for you to take care of him, and play along with him. I think if you are feeling ok you can do that, but please stay in the shallow area. I think you should also consider asking your gynecologist about the effort. I also think that swimming lessons for babies don't start until they are 3 or 4 years old. Good luck.
2006-08-20 11:57:18 · answer #2 · answered by Sweet Sue 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There's a guy here in Australia who used to train the Commonwealth and Olympic swimmers who now runs kids swimming programs who recommends you get your kids in the water as young as possible. If you're going swimming to relax and help your back and legs, you might prefer to leave your son with his grandma or take a friend with you who can keep an eye on him while you spend some time off relaxing. Otherwise, getting your kids used to the water, and even giving them some basic lessons is probably a good thing!
2006-08-20 20:11:10 · answer #3 · answered by Bratfeatures 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a great idea. I took mine to TinyTots swimming at the age of three months. I would recommend that you don't do it alone and that you take your child to an actual swimming program. It will be very relaxing for you aswell and you will meet other parents in the same situation. Just remember, make sure you go to a pool that is the right temperature for you. Too hot at your stage of preganancy, can bring on early labour. Wishing you the best of luck!
2006-08-20 14:40:47 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
We have a pool and a 6 month old daughter. She loves the pool, doesn't mind getting splashed, goes under water, all of it. She will be swimming early. She already knows to kick her legs when she wants to move, ( I know that all babies kick their legs, but she does it when we hold her in a layed out position on her stomach with her head and face out of the water.) We have her in sunscreen from head to toe, keep a hat on her, and has a shade screen on her baby float, and she is never out for more than 30 minutes a day.
Take him swimming, this is some of the last time that you will be able devote to him, because once your new baby comes, your time will be taken up with them.
2006-08-20 11:37:13 · answer #5 · answered by whatelks67 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Perfictly fine. Humans instinctively know to hold their breath under water, it doesn't matter if they are 5 months or 15 years. At 8 months he has spent more then half of his existence floating around anyway. My nephew was in the pool a few months after he was born and he had a ball. Of course every child is different, if he doesn't like it, don't take him again. But as long as you are confident in your ability to watch him go for it.
2006-08-20 12:56:27 · answer #6 · answered by quickone86 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We Australians are thown in the water at a young age. With strict supervision, very young children love to swim. It is their natural instinct (from swimming in the womb) to close their mouth. However, a word of warning; find a pool that runs classes for pre natal and for babies - it is too much risk for you to act alone. Swimming will definately ease your back, gently aerobics for pregnant ladies is very popular here, as is teaching babies to enjoy the water.
2006-08-20 22:55:10 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it's a great age for him to go swimming, swimming is a natural thing for babies, after all they spend the first 9 months of the life just chilling in the placenta. Just keep an eye on him at all times.
2006-08-20 22:04:43 · answer #8 · answered by Tattooed 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No i dont think so. Just make sure the chlorine levels and all that arent too high and all that sort of stuff. I have had many sore ears from the level of chlorine and that. Maybe start off in the bath with bub so he gets comfy in water and then take him to the baby pool and so on.
Good luck with your pregnancy i hope all goes well :)
2006-08-20 13:15:13 · answer #9 · answered by FroomeSTAR 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
of course i took my 5 month old to swimming lessons and she loved it she didnt really understand but at 8 months hes gonna have a blast. go for it but maybe have someone else with you just in case becuase you are 7 months pg. My daughter had never been swimming before so hell be fine.
have fun I know he will
2006-08-20 11:34:40 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋