Baby swimming advice

[Purplekali77]

Hi
My baby is 10 months old and has been going to waterbabies since he was 3 months old. He's always enjoyed it but the last few weeks he's been upset after going underwater and carried on crying the rest of the class. He's not generally a cryey baby and usually calms down quickly. The class teacher thinks it might be developmental but I'm wondering if his ears are bothering him as he fiddles with them quite a bit and had an ear infection a couple of months ago. Has anyone else had a similar experience and what was the cause? Also can anyone recommend any brands of baby ear plugs or covers? Thanks

[AddictedToRadley]

It certainly sounds like his ears if he's pulling at them poor lamb. I've never seen ear plugs for babies but I have seen a headband sort of ear muff device which is meant to do the same job in the young ones. I've no idea what they're called but try searching for baby ear muffs or baby swimming muffs or similar and you'll probably find them. You could put them on then secure them by putting a swimming hat over the top to stop the water going in. After I'd had a bad ear infection I remember it being excruitiating to go under water but thankfully I was 8 years old so could use ear plugs and swim hat. You could always ask your GP or health visitor for advice.

Hope you get it sorted.

[AddictedToRadley]

Here's one to try: Baby headband ear covers

[SLN89]

My little girl was the other way around - she hated water and bath-time when she was little (up to five months or so) but loves it now. She's getting really confident in the water but I'm sure there'll come a time when she panics a little and sets herself back a bit. It could be a temporary thing but definitely worth checking the ears again.

If he's not settling at all in the water now it might be worth going back to a trainer seat for a bit (such as www.simplyswim.com/products/Speedo/SwimSeat-Orange.aspx) until he's confident in the water again.

You can get ear bands too which might help. Found this one here: www.amazon.co.uk/Konfidence-AquaBands-Bands-Blue-Child/dp/B003D5QI6O/?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21