Swimming is a great sport for children and if you are thinking of enrolling your little one in classes, you will be identified with these questions!
Is it okay for a diaper baby to splash around in the pool? Can your child have a cast or ventilation tubes in the water safely? Can bacteria in the pool or lake make your little one sick? Consider the practical suggestions of Dr. Jay L. Hoecker, a pediatric specialist emeritus at Mayo Clinic.
Can babies and toddlers wear diapers in the water?
The shorts and diapers for swimming repel water and gently adjust the child’s thighs and waist, but they are not waterproof. If your child defecates in the water, the stool may leak out of the diaper.
A dirty diaper can contain germs that cause diarrhea and contaminate the water in the pool or other bathing places, including the cryptosporidium parasite. In healthy people, cryptosporidiosis infection causes diarrhea. The consequences can be more serious in people with weakened immune systems.
Urine in water is less dangerous than a stool, but it is difficult to separate the two when the child wears diapers. If you allow your child to swim in diapers, take breaks to change his diaper in the bathroom or to use the toilet. Do not allow your child to enter the pool if he has diarrhea.
Is it dangerous for a child to swallow water in the pool?
Your child will undoubtedly swallow water in the pool at some point, especially when learning to swim. Swallowing a little water in the pool is usually not a concern, but swallowing a lot of water can cause illness. Encourage your child to spit out any water that gets into his mouth.
Can a child swim with a cast?
Depends on the type of plaster:
- Gypsum splint. If your child has a cast splint on a cloth wrap, it should be kept out of the water. In general, there is no effect trying to protect the plaster splint with plastic bags.
- Fiberglass splint. If your child has a fiberglass splint that is lined with a water-repellent coating, there is generally no downside to swimming as long as the doctor has authorized it. After swimming, it is important to thoroughly rinse the inside of the splint with clean water. In general, you can allow the splint to dry from contact with air.
Can children swim with ventilation tubes in the ears?
If your child has ear tubes (small cylinders that are placed in the eardrum to drain fluid and allow air to enter the middle ear), ask your doctor about what hearing protection you need to swim. Some doctors recommend that children with ventilation tubes in their ears wear earplugs when swimming to prevent bacteria from entering the middle ear. However, routine use of the plugs may only be needed when children are submerged or when swimming in untreated water, such as lakes and rivers.
What should be done with red eyes after swimming?
Exposure to chlorine can cause redness in children’s eyes. To ease discomfort and lessen redness after swimming, wash your child’s eyes with a sterile eye solution or artificial tears. To avoid red or puffy eyes, recommend that your child wear googles while swimming.
Can children swim when they are sick or have cuts or scrapes?
Children who have colds or other minor illnesses can swim as long as they feel well enough to do so. Similarly, it’s okay for children to swim if they have cuts and scrapes, as long as the wounds don’t bleed.
Is it appropriate to swim immediately after eating?
Swimming is appropriate immediately after consuming a snack or light meal. However, if your child feels powerless after consuming a heavy meal, recommend that he take a break before swimming.
Are hot tubs safe for children?
Young children can quickly get hot in a hot tub or steam bath. If you allow your child to use a hot tub or steam bath, make sure that he stays in it for a short time, is always supervised, and does not allow your child to dip his head in the water. Long hair can tangle in the grate of an uncovered hot tub and cause choking.