Is it safe to take baby swimming when baby cannot indicate water in their ears?

Kate CP - posted on 09/15/2011

Well, you can't just ramp up the chlorine in a pool because more people swim in it. That makes the water unsafe. There has to be an ideal balance of chlorine, bases, acids, and alkalinity for the pool to be safe to swim in.

Brittany - posted on 09/15/2011

My daughter has been in the pool since 6 months and hasn't ever had an ear infection. At the same time I do know one child that would always get them; her sister did fine. Each child is different. You are more likely to get sick with anything in an unchlorinated pool/river/lake.

I think it is more important for a child to be safe around water. If the pool is properly regulated then there shouldn't be any extra chlorine. If there is a contamination they should evacuate the pool and shock it; then keep people out until the levels are back down.

It takes years to have an issue with the chlorine and most of the time it is because the filtration system and the ventilation for the building is wrong.

Lora - posted on 09/15/2011

I worked at a pool and came down with a bad ear infection that took three rounds of antibiotics! I stayed out of the water and did my routine on the deck after that. There are many seniors programs now, and many of these kind people are sadly incontinent. As a youngster, I have to admit a couple of times in all those years of swimming, I did not make it to the bathroom.



I know babies are suffering from more ear infections,(treated with antibiotics that kill all the good bacteria in babies tummy), way more than they were five decades ago. Many children I know now have tubes. No one I know in the 50 - 60 range has. Why? There must be a reason.



FYI: With so many more people in the pools, chlorine has to be ramped up. The more we stay in the pool, the more chlorine our bodies will absorb. Remember, our skin is our biggest organ and we get more oxygen that way than via our lungs. That means we are 'breathing' chlorinated water through our skin.

Kate CP - posted on 09/14/2011

Nope. My son LOVES to go swimming and loves his baths. He giggles and laughs when he splashes himself in the face. Hasn't had an ear infection yet.

Brianna - posted on 09/14/2011

i dont agree.,, ive been takin my daughter swimming twice a week since she was 2 months old and she never has had a ear infection

Sharon - posted on 09/14/2011

You can buy special head bands that cover the ears and keep the water out.

Elfrieda - posted on 09/14/2011

@Sherri
Good tip, thanks!

Sherri - posted on 09/14/2011

No I don't agree. I see no problem with chlorine in the least I took mine as early as 8 wks in pools, lakes etc.

Also if you worry about water in the ears when they are done you take a Q-Tip dipped in rubbing alcohol and rub it in their ears. It dries up any left over water in their ears.

Amy - posted on 09/14/2011

Wow there was a whole lot of typos in my post "excuse" should of said "because", and "ny" should of been "my"!

Amy - posted on 09/14/2011

Both my kids were born in the winter spring months and we took them swimming that first summer so they would of been 4 months and 5 months the first time they went swimming. I didn't see it as a problem excuse as you pointed out they had taken baths, but with that being said I've never submerged either of my kids in water when they were infants. I should also add that neither of ny children ever had a problem with ear infections!

Elfrieda - posted on 09/14/2011

I always try to keep my son's head out of the water, be it a bath or swimming pool or lake, and he's already 21 months old. I really hate ear infections.

Michelle - posted on 09/14/2011

Here in Australia you can start swimming lessons at 6 months. I think the earlier they learn to swim the better but we spend a lot of time around water so I see it as a safety tool.
If you wash them after they have been in the pool the chlorine isn't an issue (I have 1 that has sensitive skin) and I have never had a problem with water in the ears.

Nikki - posted on 09/14/2011

I was never a fan of newborns swimming in pools, not just because of their ears, but their sensitive skin, their eyes and if they happen to swallow any.

Each to their own I suppose, although I would never take my newborn swimming in a pool I am sure millions of parents do it without any problems.

I did take my daughter swimming, well more like paddling in the ocean when she was a newborn, but her head was never submerged.