A hot tub is soothing and relaxing for adults, but it can kill children, especially babies. Protecting your baby from the dangers of a hot tub begins during your pregnancy and extends until your child is old enough and tall enough to enjoy the hot tub safely.
Pregnancy
Protecting your baby from hot tubs begins in your womb. Sitting in a hot tub while pregnant can cause your baby to develop malformations in the first trimester because of the heated fluid in your body. Later in pregnancy, it can cause you to overheat quickly and put your baby under physical stress. If you are going to be in a hot tub while pregnant, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology Jeanne-Marie Guise at Oregon Health & Science University recommends that you keep the water temperature under 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Heat Dangers
It's dangerous to take your baby into the hot tub because of the heat. Your baby cannot regulate his body temperature well and can overheat in a hot tub quickly. Overheating can make him extremely uncomfortable and cause his heart to race. In some cases, overheating can cause death.
Bacteria
The high temperature in a hot tub makes a thriving environment for bacteria and microorganisms. In addition to suffering physically from the heat, your baby can also contract a virus or bacteria from the hot water, causing an ear infection or upset stomach.
Safety
Take steps to make sure that your baby does not accidentally crawl or roll into a hot tub. Consumer Reports recommends enclosing the hot tub area with a four-sided fence that has a self-locking gate. Keep the hot tub covered when it is not in use, and supervise your baby closely when he is near a hot tub or any other water source.
When is it Safe?
According to the website Babycenter, it is not safe to take your child into a hot tub until she is at least 5 years old and is tall enough to stand in the middle of the hot tub and keep her head above water. If she has long hair, pull it up and back to prevent it from getting caught in the hot tub grate or filter.
