A guide to baby swimming skincare

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If you’re thinking of taking your baby swimming, go for it – going for a dip with your little one is a great bonding opportunity, and it can also build their confidence in the water. But if concerns about the chlorine in the pool are holding you back, there are lots of easy ways to take care of delicate baby skin when swimming.

Many babies love splashing around in the water and you can enjoy those special moments, too. “We found the perfect age to start was around four or five months,” says Emma, mom of two. “Our swim class offered some fun as well as basic techniques, which the baby picked up really quickly.”

But, like all new experiences, there can be lots to think about – especially how chlorine and baby skin go together. Unfortunately, it can sometimes cause dryness and make skin conditions like eczema a little worse – but that shouldn’t take away from you and your baby enjoying the experience of being in the water together. We asked parents and Baby Dove scientists for ways to help you protect their delicate skin, before and after swimming.

1
Pre-swim.
Wet skin is actually less absorbent than dry skin, so rinsing your baby in non-chlorinated water before getting into the pool should reduce the amount of pool water their skin absorbs. Try to make sure the water is warm, so you don’t give them a fright before getting in. After lightly patting them with a towel so they’re still damp, you could gently massage in baby moisturizer to create a protective layer to help keep their delicate skin moisturized when swimming (but before you do, check with the pool that you can apply moisturizer before a swim). The hypoallergenic Baby Dove Sensitive Moisture Lotion soothes and cares for your baby’s skin at its most sensitive, so it’s a good one to keep in your swimming bag
2
Post-swim.
“Chlorine isn’t ideal for your baby’s skin, so it’s best to make sure you wash off as much of it as you can,” says dad of one Sion. If you haven’t already, pack some body wash and shampoo, but it’s a good idea to make sure whatever you bring is as nourishing as possible to help protect their skin from drying out. Baby Dove Rich Moisture Tip to Toe Wash replenishes your baby’s skin and can help soothe the drying effect of the chlorine, while Baby Dove Rich Moisture Shampoo will help with the tricky job of removing chlorine from their hair to leave it soft and their scalp nourished