Apartment Swimming Pool & Your Baby: 4 Safety Tips

Swimming with your baby in a swimming pool can prove a positive bonding experience and help cool her down on hot summer days, so long as you take the proper precautions.

1. Baby Swim Equipment

If you’re taking your baby to the pool, even if you don’t plan on taking her in the water, make sure she’s wearing baby swimming pool equipment. This is in case she falls in the pool for a split second when you’re not looking, but especially if you plan to take her swimming, you want to make sure she stays afloat. Swim diapers will keep her waste contained to the diaper, so you don’t pose a bacterial risk to the other pool users. She should also be wearing a brightly colored swimming vest so she can float and easily be spotted. Arm floats round out the ensemble and will help keep her balanced above the water. You should also invest in a baby swim ring seat so that you can keep a better grip on her.

2. Apply Plenty of Sunscreen

It’s easy to forget about the less immediate baby swimming pool dangers, particularly the sunburn your baby may come down with later in the day. Keep baby’s skin free from a damaging, painful sunburn by applying sunscreen liberally—and don’t forget the top of her head. The sunscreen should be waterproof with SPF of 30 or higher. A sunscreen formulated for babies will be gentler on her skin. Don’t forget to reapply the sunscreen every hour or so if you stay out in the sun.

3. Bring Toys for Entertainment

Pool toys appropriate for your baby can make swimming a much more positive experience and they can also help keep your baby safe. Babies who are new to the swimming experience can become upset and panic when in the water; having inflatable and water-safe toys can help distract your baby and make her become more accustomed to the experience. Toys can also teach her the early basics of swimming by having her kick her legs to move toward a toy (keep your hands on her the whole way, though).

4. Teaching Pool Etiquette and Safety Rules

It’s never to early to teach your baby swimming pool etiquette and safety rules. If she can walk, always hold her hand when around the pool and instruct her that she must walk and never run near the pool. To be on the safe side, walk with your baby further from the pool than you, in cease she tumbles. Tell her that she must never approach the pool without you knowing, even if other children call to her to play or she sees a toy. Don’t leave toys behind, either.

Don’t forget that baby swimming pool safety is just as important when you’re not using the pool if you live in an apartment complex with a pool. Keep an eye on your child at all times and never leave her unattended; if you leave a sliding glass door open, for example, and step away for a moment, your baby might walk or crawl outside toward the pool.