Swimming Tips - From Diapers to Swimmer’s Ear

Kids Today asked Michelle Petterchak, RN, MSN, PNP, Answer Line nurse at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, for some of the most frequently asked questions about swimming that parents raise during the summer. Here are the top three: 

Should babies be allowed in pools?

As long as they wear swimming diapers, it’s okay for small children to wade in the pool with a parent in arm’s reach of them. If your child has diarrhea, however, swimming diapers are not effective and can spread germs that cause illness.

Can swimmer’s ear be prevented?

Parents can help prevent swimmer’s ear by keeping their children’s ear canals as dry as possible. After swimming, tip your child’s head side to side to drain any excess water. If your child is prone to recurrences of swimmer’s ear and does not have ear tubes, rinse the ears with equal parts white vinegar and rubbing alcohol for one minute after bathing or swimming, and limit the amount of time he spends in the pool.

Under what circumstances should my child not swim?

Children should not be in the water if they feel lethargic, have an open wound, have diarrhea or are running a fever above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit. They should also stay out of the pool for 24 hours after a fever breaks. Children with ear tubes should follow instructions from their pediatrician.