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Children's swimming: Keep health risks at bay
Is it risky for children to swallow pool water?
Your child is bound to take a few gulps of pool water at one time or another, especially when first learning to swim. A little swallowed pool water isn't cause for concern, but drinking too much pool water can make a child ill.
What's the best age to begin swimming lessons?
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends waiting to enroll children in swimming lessons until after age 4, since younger children may not be developmentally ready to learn to swim. If you want to put your infant or toddler in a swimming program, choose one that doesn't require placing his or her head underwater. This will limit the amount of water your child may swallow.
Can children swim when they're sick or have cuts and scrapes?
It's fine for children who have colds or other minor illnesses to swim, as long as they feel well enough to do so. Likewise, it's OK for children to swim with cuts and scrapes — as long as the wounds aren't bleeding.
What about swimming after eating?
It's OK to swim immediately after a light meal or snack. If your child feels lethargic after eating a heavy meal, encourage him or her to take a break before swimming.
Are hot tubs safe for children?
Children can quickly become overheated in a hot tub. Don't let your child use a hot tub until he or she is tall enough to keep his or her head above water while standing in the middle of the hot tub. Even then, hot tub visits should be brief — and never allow your child to submerge his or her head in a hot tub. Because high temperatures encourage the growth of certain microorganisms, an earful of water from a hot tub can lead to an external ear infection. Far worse, long hair can get caught in a hot tub grate and cause drowning.
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- Six "PLEAs" for healthy swimming: Protection against recreational water illness. Centers for Disease Control and Protection. http://www.cdc.gov/healthyswimming/6_pleas.htm. Accessed Jan. 30, 2009.
- "Swimmer's ear" (otitis externa): Protection against recreational water illnesses (RWIs). http://www.cdc.gov/healthyswimming/pdf/swimmers_ear.pdf. Accessed Jan. 30, 2009.
- Parenting corner Q&A: Water safety. American Academy of Pediatrics. http://www.aap.org/publiced/BR_WaterSafety.htm. Accessed Jan. 30, 2009.
- Spas, hot tubs, and whirlpools. Consumer Product Safety Commission. http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PUBS/5112.pdf. Accessed Jan. 30, 2009.
- Swimmer's ear. American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery. http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/swimmersEar.cfm. Accessed Feb. 2, 2009.
- Ear tubes. American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery. http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/Ear-Tubes.cfm. Accessed Feb. 2, 2009.
- Irritants (chloramines) and indoor pool air quality. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/healthyswimming/irritants.htm. Accessed Jan. 30, 2009.
- Care of casts and splints. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00095. Accessed Feb. 11, 2009.
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- Hoecker JL (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Feb 19, 2009.
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- UV safety. American Academy of Ophthalmology. http://www.aao.org/aaoesite/eyemd/upload/July.pdf. Accessed Feb. 11, 2009.
