How do you feel about public swimming pools for young children?
lexiky asked:
I’m a little concerned about my 9 month old catching something or the chlorine being too strong? Am I just being crazy? How do you feel about it?
Braden
I’m a little concerned about my 9 month old catching something or the chlorine being too strong? Am I just being crazy? How do you feel about it?
Braden
August 4th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
I always took my kids…..Chlorinated water is essentially sterile…..that is the purpose behind the chlorine. And the amounts are generally kept at safe levels.
August 6th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
nothing wrong with babies “swimming” in public swimming pools
August 8th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
You are not being crazy, just concerned
)
) Not that an ear infection is a little thing, but Im sure you know what I mean!
My daughter has used public swimming pools all her life (she is now 7) & has picked up 2 seperate ear infections. Thats in 7 years, not too bad. There are special caps you can buy for your baby that cover the ears for extra precaution. Whatever your fears, donot stop teaching your baby how to swim, that is more important than so many other little things
Also keep in mind that the chlorine kills off most of the bacteria in the water. There is never too much chlorine i the water as before any is added, the water is tested. If you have any concerns, just speak to your local swim centre & ask them about their policies. They are one of the most safest places to teach your child to swim, they have life guards on board & are trained to handle any situation that arises. Much safter than a backyard toddler pool!!!!!!
After a swim, give baby a wash under the showers provided & rub some baby oil or cream into their skin to keep it from drying out.
August 12th, 2008 at 12:43 am
I’d be more concerned about whether they have the proper safety devices on the intakes than about catching something. However, given Giardia is quite serious in a toddler, I’d stick with a backyard pool from Kmart.
August 15th, 2008 at 9:46 am
I am the same way with my baby, It bothers me that the pools do not clean out the pools frequent enough so the chlorine builds up and its just to much. I dont think your being crazy. I think if you walk into a pool and the smell knocks you off your feet its not a good idea to put yourself or your baby in it. I would suggest doing outdoor pools and even asking how frequent they clean the pools because last year in our town we had an outbreak of a germ in the local pools because the owners never cleaned them and just dumped more chlorine in so I am paranoid. I will take my baby to pools this year where there are less people like private pools or family pools. I know many parents that just buy the small pools for your own yard and then you know that the water is safe. Good luck hope this helped you.
August 17th, 2008 at 12:19 am
Ask to see the chemical tests and the health department grades.
Beyond that, I would try to make sure there arent a ton of people when you take your baby, but other wise fine.
August 17th, 2008 at 6:00 am
I took my kids when they were about five months. Remember you’re not going to be in the pool that long anyway, and you will be near your baby so you can make sure nothing happens.
The idea of chlorinated water is to prevent illnesses from spreading.
August 18th, 2008 at 3:56 am
I am a water safety instructor, pool manager and a mother of two. Both of my children have been swimming in public pools since they were about 3 months old. In any decent public pool (like a community pool – maybe not an indoor hotel pool) they chlorine should monitored carefully everyday. There are state regulations as to what chemical levels are safe and if the chemicals fall out of the range, they have to close the pool until it returns to normal range. So don’t worry about chemicals.
As for catching something, there are a few viral type things your child COULD catch, but that not likely be from the pool itself, but from the deck or locker room. To avoid this, wear pool shoes and wash hands after using the bathroom (normal for anytime you use the washroom I am sure).
One last thing, don’t submerge your baby under water until 6 months, and even then only submerge your baby 2 or 3 times per session. They do ingest some water.
Have fun swimming with your baby
August 18th, 2008 at 6:07 am
I wouldn’t worry about it. Public pools test their water each morning before they open to make sure everything is balanced.