How many of you moms out there have to answer your kid’s questions about when the pool opens . . . year-round . . . and not just one or two times but more like 100? As soon as spring starts to fade, the kids get antsy about when they can throw on their bathing suits and get some sun and pool time. I love the summer and all the fun and relaxation that comes along with that time of the year, but as a pediatrician, it is one of the scariest seasons as well. So here are some tips to make sure your kids stay healthy and safe at the pool.
Keep Your Kids Healthy and Safe at the Pool
1. Use Sunscreen
There are tons of articles out there about the worst and best sunscreens for kids, and the sheer number of differing opinions can be overwhelming, so I keep it easy and stick with one that has zinc oxide. Don’t bother with the brands that have other stuff that you can’t pronounce. A few good brands are Badger, Neutrogena Pure Baby, Blue Lizard, and Baby Bum. They are thicker to apply, and your kids may resemble Casper the Ghost, but they work!
2. Have Them Take Swim Lessons
Infant survival and lessons for older kids are a great idea, and I highly recommend them, but that is not a ticket to allow your kids to swim unsupervised. All kids should be watched in a pool, no matter their age. Drowning is a silent event, and many older kids can tire in a pool. even the best swimmer can succumb to the dangers of swimming in deep water, so never leave a child unattended in a pool. It’s good practice to be in the pool with your kids, but if you have older kids that can swim and you are going to watch outside of the pool, make sure there are no distractions–that means no books, no phone, nothing that can take your eyes off your kids. And never assume floaties will prevent drowning!
3. Take a Bath or Shower
Pools can carry many germs, so please be kind to others, and if your little one has had diarrhea or has been vomiting, they should not be in a pool for one week AFTER the resolution of all symptoms. It is best to shower your kids before getting into a pool to prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses. And always shower them after they swim!
I’m also a big fan of probiotics. If you do not give them to your children daily, it is a good idea to give them after they swim to prevent a stomach virus.
Enjoy these fleeting few weeks of summer with your kiddies safe at the pool!
