If you love the water, swimming with your child is probably something you look forward to, but the first outing can be a little confusing. But the first outing can be a little confusing. There are so many questions that arise between wanting to be safe and wanting to make sure your child enjoys the experience. We love swimming and playing in the water with our little ones, and we want to help you have fun with your children. That's why we have put together this guide to help you get off to a good start.

When can you start swimming with your baby?

Babies naturally love water and you can take them to the pool at any time, but right after birth, it is the mother who is most concerned. Wait two to six weeks after delivery, otherwise, there is a risk of infection after birth. Postpone swimming until the cervix has closed completely and there is no more bleeding or fluid leakage.

In addition, even well-maintained public pools contain more germs than private pools and have a higher chlorine content. Chlorine can irritate a child's delicate skin and upper respiratory tract. It accumulates in the air of indoor pools. Therefore, make sure the pool area is well ventilated.

Tips for a happy first swim with your baby

1. developing the child's confidence in the water at home.

Before taking your child swimming for the first time, play with water at home to develop cognitive skills and build a bond with water. Try playfully pouring warm water on the child's skin, splashing gently, and using various toys or household items such as plastic cups and sponges to scoop, pour, and play.

Set up a wading pool in the backyard. If you don't have room for a pool, you can fill a bucket with warm water and bath toys to play with. Take a dip first and have some fun. For slightly older kids, spray play provides hours of water fun, or invest in a water table with funnels, sprinklers, and waterfalls.

2. Plan ahead before taking your child to the pool.

Visiting the pool before swimming can help your child learn how to swim. This way, the child gets used to the atmosphere and makes it his/her own. Give him/her lots of encouragement and cuddles.

Make sure the child has eaten about an hour before swimming, and try not to pick the child up too close to naptime. Being hungry or tired is not helpful.

If you can, take a friend along for moral support. This will also help you relax, even if your child begins to protest in the water.

Choose a pool suitable for children so the water is warmer. Children like to be warm and sheltered.

3. calmly go swimming for the first time.

Always let your child be your guide. Once in the pool, cradle your baby close to your body and move carefully in the pool, keeping your feet firmly on the bottom. When you both feel comfortable, gently bob the baby up and down in the water. Then try moving the baby from back to front and front to back.

Start with short sessions. 10-20 minutes is more than enough. Try to swim regularly so that they get used to swimming together.

Sometimes it is enough to accept that the child is not in the mood. If you have tried to play with him or distract him, but he still can't swim, then let it go and stop while you still can.

4. Bring a bathrobe or poncho towel for your older child.

If you are taking your newborn to bathe, a large towel with a hood to wrap them in will suffice. However, if you have an older child with you who will strip off the towel, choose a robe or poncho. You can pull the poncho towels over the children's heads so they don't slip.

Keep the robe or poncho by the pool. That way, you can remove the top layer as soon as they get out of the water. In the poncho or bathrobe with a diaper underneath, they'll be happy and warm for five minutes until you're done.

5. Find out about baby classes at the local pool.

If you do not attend an organized class, most pools offer classes for children and teens. They make swimming with your child a little easier and a lot more fun than regular swimming with steady swimmers.

6. Swim diapers are a must

No child will have fun in the pool if he or she is soaked with water in his or her regular diaper. Most pools do not allow them to be worn anyway.

Instead, buy special swim diapers available at most supermarkets or grocery stores and a suitable swimsuit, pair of shorts, or wetsuit. Then you are ready to go.

How long should you plan to swim with a child?

The length of time a child spends in the pool depends on a number of factors. The environment makes a big difference, and you need to consider the water and air temperature, as well as direct sunlight. It is also important to know whether you will be outdoors or indoors. 

In addition to planning the duration of the trip, there is also the question of how long a child can stay in the pool. The answer largely depends on the temperature of the water and air. The recommended temperature is 85-87°F, but caution is advised on cold days, even in a warm pool.

If your child begins to shiver, you need to take him out of the water and wrap him up, possibly drying him off immediately, because when we are wet, we are colder. Also make sure to put a dry diaper on him, because a swim diaper stays wet inside.

The age of the child also affects the duration of the stay. Young children tire quickly and burn very easily, so they need to stay longer in sunny pools.

If the weather is mild and the sun is not too strong, you can spend more time in the pool, but be sure to take breaks between swimming and water games. Take your child out of the water and put on dry clothes and a regular diaper so he or she can rest between water sessions. The child can also take a nap while you relax in the pool.

What you can do with a child in the pool

The most important thing you can do when taking a child to the pool is to have fun! 

It is also important that the child feels comfortable in the water so that he or she will not have problems learning to swim later.

Children who are comfortable in the water have far fewer problems when they learn to swim and float. Being in the pool should be a fun time for everyone. Here are some of the things you can do with your child:

Bubbles - Bubbles are fun, and when your child imitates you by putting their mouth in the water, they learn not to be afraid to put their face under the water and gain an advantage in swimming.

Reach for floating toys - Another fun game to develop the skills that lead to swimming is to put an object in the water in front of the child and ask him to grab it. This way he is moving and focusing on the object and not worrying about the water or holding onto you. If your child is too attached to you to enjoy the pool, an attractive toy can be the distraction he needs to relax a bit and have fun in the water.

Splash water - Anyone can splash, so playing with water itself is a simple thing that doesn't even require equipment to handle. Kids often hate having water splashed in their faces, which is common in the pool, but if they can splash themselves, it's more fun than harmful.

Bouncing - Bouncing in the water is good exercise, but it's much easier than jumping on land! Kids love to bounce with you, and this is a great way to get exercise while having fun with your child.

What to look for in a swimsuit for babies.

An adorable baby swimsuit will inspire everyone's admiration for your precious little treasure. Baby swimsuits come in a variety of sizes, colors, prints, and styles to suit all ages and needs