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The Little Lilypad is a lifestyle blog mostly written by a mum to two beautiful, cheeky and entertaining daughters. It is sometimes written by the Man on the Pad or by one of our baby bloggers. Occasionally we accept guest posts too. There is frequently talk of sustainable living, saving money, lifestyle and travel. It is hopefully helpful, sometimes funny and always honest.
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Can you take your baby swimming after having their injections?

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Is it safe to take a baby or toddler swimming after having their injections?

This is a conversation starter that I have had numerous times at playgroups and with fellow mums and as a parent, I am not sure that there is a definitive answer. The Water Babies website tells us that NHS guidelines say you can take your baby swimming at any time, regardless of whether they’ve had their injections. The high quality of the water required in public pools makes the likelihood of transmitting infections very unlikely; plus, the diseases against which your baby is inoculated can’t be carried in chlorinated water anyway. 

The toddler had her second round of MMR injections recently and I was unsure how she was going to react to them. 

Water Babies Mar 15

She was giving her instructions to me from the side, so I think it is fair to say she was fine.

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She has mastered getting in and out of the water safely and loves being able to jump in and swim to me now. She will swim independently around me too, her confidence growing week on week.

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Swimming every week has made a noticeable difference in her own confidence and ability. Typically with children, we don't make it every week because little ones get poorly, that's life. The Water Babies team understand if you have a bit of a cold but if either you have any significant illness, including ear infections, (the dreaded) chicken pox, or vomiting/diarrhoea, it is not fair on you, your child, the other families, your teacher, or indeed the pool. We have been there when the pool has had to be emptied as a result of a "poo" incident and it only leads to disappointment for lots of people.

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So going back to the debate of whether children should go swimming after having their injections, should you or should you not go swimming? The Water Babies team tell us that they have had lots of little ones who’ve been for their jabs in the morning, come swimming in the afternoon, and had no problems at all. In fact in some ways it may even help them a little, since the warm water can soothe grizzly nerves or stiff little arms or legs.

Ultimately, you know your baby or toddler best, so if you think they are okay to swim then do as our little one does and just take the plunge!

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Comments

  1. We really need to get back into swimming now we have moved. It is on my list and I maybe need to bump it up a bit. We were meaning too but we all seem to have been constantly stricken with colds this winter :(.

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  2. You've reminded me that I need to look into swimming for baby V. I really wish I'd taken the boys earlier.

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  3. michelle twin mum

    Oh nothing I had ever even thought about but as you say at the end the parent always know their own babe best. Mich x

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  4. Sophie loves swimming too and I never worried about taking her after her jabs. I think its one of those times when you need to trust your instincts.

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  5. Erin swam from five weeks old - before injections and Im glad we did. her ability to swim made healing after hip surgery easier. She has always relaxed and done her physio in the water.

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  6. Aw bless her, getting them to jump in confidently is such a result and they love it once they've got it. We never saw ill effects from injections until a day or so later, and then only briefly, so it's good to know the official line supports this :)

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  7. Great post. People have very little idea what they can and can't do after injections. But I always think swimming has so many benefits - and it looks like your little one has no fear of the water

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  8. Ah i always thought you couldnt! Minmd you its been a while

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