Baby scared of pool!

Sara - posted on 06/30/2011

Last summer, my son LOVED the pool! He was in it just about every single day. (He was between 6-8 months old at this time.) Now, he is terrified. I was thinking of just getting him a kiddie pool so at least he has SOMETHING he can splash in. Maybe this will help him get over the apprehension he has of the "big" pool.

Sara - posted on 06/30/2011

Last summer, my son LOVED the pool! He was in it just about every single day. (He was between 6-8 months old at this time.) Now, he is terrified. I was thinking of just getting him a kiddie pool so at least he has SOMETHING he can splash in. Maybe this will help him get over the apprehension he has of the "big" pool.

Keria - posted on 06/29/2009

My daughter gets a little apprehensive from time to time with the pool too but we developed a strategy that seems to work well. First, we just let her play on the edge while one of us holds her (she likes to splash the water) and then we get in and let her play on the top step for awhile (here she can still touch the ground so she doesn't feel so helpless) and once she gets comfortable with that I usually pick her up and walk her out into the deeper water while I am holding her so that she gets more used to the water temperature. Then we put her in her little floaty raft and sometimes she needs like a pacifier or my finger to suck on til she really gets calmed down but it normally doesn't take long for her to calm down. I would also suggest trying to find out if anyone does water exploration courses for babies. Other than that, some babies just need time. Hope it all works out for you!
~Keria

Toni - posted on 06/29/2009

I live in Australia and being water-wise is huge here. We decided we wanted an early baptism so I started my son in a normal bath tub and shower at about 3 weeks of age, even just to get used to water over his head. since then he has gotten used to this and more, we have a lot of fun at bath/shower time, creating a routine that Brian has just thrived in. He is now a bit over 5 months and gets really excited about his bath time! I would say to take it back to bath time, and leave the pool a little bit longer. I believe that if the pool idea is pushed your little one may be scared for longer then necessary. Create a strong routine for bathtime, with toys that she can play with and get used to that space. Once she is having fun in the bath, put her into the clothes/outfit you will have her in at the pool so she is used to this also (the less 'foreign' things at the pool the better). Be in the bath and shower with her, fill up the bath further and further each time - but be in there and stay watching all the time! Soon she will be splashing about and be a lot more 'ready' for her time to shine in the pool! Good Luck Ekaterina :)

Bridget - posted on 06/29/2009

Sit on the first step with her on your lap but make sure she isn't in the water. Let her see you kick your legs and put your hands in the water. Ask her if she wants to try it. Talk about how much fun your having and how good it feels. She will come around and soon you won't be able to keep her out of the water.

Crystal - posted on 06/29/2009

when you bring her in the pool try holding her right up against you (facing you) so as her feet get wet you are getting wet too, the closeness may also reassure her. Also i know if the water is too cold my son wants nothing to do with it, no matter how hot it is out. hope that helps!

Sabrina - posted on 06/29/2009

Just let her go at her own pace. Maybe even buy some of the floaties let her pick them out. Just to help introduce her. And when she finally goes around the pool even just to put her feet in make sure no one splashes her that could scare her and then you will have to start all over. Hope this helps. Unfortunately I dont have the same issue as my kids are fish. I cant keep them away from water.