First Birthday Party with or Without Infant Swimming Pool

My son's birthday is July 31st and his 1st birthday was a water baby party. All the babies loved it and it is a great idea. The water does get dirty pretty fast, so maybe just use one pool at a time. Plus all the parents stay and are responsible for watching their own child. I read some of the other responses and trust me, no responsible parent drops their 1 yr old baby off at a birthday party, so you should have lots of help. Maybe some pizza for the adults too?

I had a little pool party in the back yard on my son's 1st birthday last year. We had 7 babies and all the parents were there. It was only 1 pool, but it went fine. I would push the 2 pools together so the parents can watch them all in one area. I hope the parents are coming too! Have fun!!

My son will be 1 in July as I too like the water idea because it will be so hot I went a different rout. I found a park with a splash pad at it. So it is safer because there is no standing water just all different kinds of sprinkler type things that the kids can run through and get sprayed by. But on the other hand if the child’s parents are there and they watch their child it should be ok. But maybe for less hassle do some different types of sprinklers. Have fun and enjoy!

I think with proper planning you could do this(very shallow water, parent watches own child, etc.) but have you considered having a "mock" pool party? You could still go the pool theme but fill the pools with those balls for ball pits! Many babies don't always care for water anyway and this would be just as fun and less risky! You could hide some small(age appropriate) pool toys like rubber duckys or boats, etc. for the little ones in the ball pool and they could play to their hearts content....what liitle one doesn't love balls? Then invest in an at home ball pit for your child so they don't go to waste, my son & niece LOVED those when they were little! Just an idea so you cuold be safe and have a fun pool party!

Do the kiddie pool(s) as long as you have LOTS of parent supervision; everyone should be responsible for their own kid.

honestly, I would probably turn down the invite.

birthday parties can get to be very busy, with the number of people and the number of kids...there might be more people around, but usually that means other people assume someone else is watching so-n-so....

B.,

If you were to consider it, I would make it clear that every parent is expected to stay the entire party and they are responsible for their own children. And then I would still have another adult eyeing the pool all the time.
Call me paranoid, but you can't be too safe when you mix babies and pools.

Good luck,
S.

I think it's a great idea - just make sure you have adequate supervision! You are lucky to have a summer birthday - both my kids are in November and there is not much to do outdoors so all parties are inside - take advantage of the weather! Have fun!

I'm with N. J. and Jill, I'd skip it too. Experts say that statistically toddlers are at the highest risk of drowning in "shallow" water because of the way their bodies are proportioned at this age.

During the early years, toddlers heads are usually the biggest and heaviest part of their body, and this makes them prone to drowning. Because their heads are so heavy, they tend to fall head-first, add shallow water to the mix and they're often not strong enough to pull their "heavy" heads out and can accidentially drown.

Statistically toddlers have a higher incidence of accidental drownings in commonly overlooked danger spots like ice-filled pop/can coolers after the ice melts, toilets, pails and wading pools.

Here is an article that explains more:

http://www.fisher-price.com/us/prepare/article.asp?c=bg_s...

Prevent Drowning

-- Karen Sokal-Gutierrez, M.D., M.P.H.


Young children are naturally drawn to water. They're curious about the sound of flowing water and how light shimmers on its surface. They want to look at it more closely, touch it with their hands, and feel it splashing on their bodies.

Water play is fun for children, but it can also be deadly. Drowning is a leading cause of death in children under age 5. Young children can drown in as little as a few inches of water. Although we tend to supervise our children more closely on outings to the ocean or lake, we often let our guard down at home where children can drown in a swimming pool, spa, bathtub, toilet, and even a bucket of water. Children can drown silently…they can slip underwater and never have the chance to scream or splash. And they can drown quickly…in the time it takes to answer the phone, go to the bathroom, or run out to the mailbox.

Follow these measures to help keep your child safe around water:

Bathtubs: When bathing your baby, stay within arm's reach at all times. Don't rely on a bath ring…they can slip and tip over. And don't rely on another young child to watch the baby in the bath…they can never be as responsible as an adult.

Containers of water: Infants and toddlers can drown in toilets, 5-gallon buckets, ice coolers, and wading pools. When they lean forward to look in, they can fall in and be unable to get their head out. Don't leave your young child alone in the bathroom. Keep toilet covers down when not in use, and consider putting on toilet seat locks. Always keep the bathroom door closed, and consider putting a doorknob cover on the outside. Empty buckets, coolers, and wading pools after you use them, and store them upside down.

Swimming pools and spas: Between 60-90% of drownings in children under age 5 occur in home swimming pools. Be within arm's reach of your child at all times when they're in or near pools and spas. Don't rely on flotation devices like inflatable rings, wings, or rafts…they can slip off or deflate. If you have a home swimming pool, install a four-sided fence to completely enclose the pool…this prevents a child from wandering out the back door of the house into the pool, and can cut the risk of drowning in half. The fence should be at least 4 feet high and have a self-closing and self-latching gate, with the latch above the child's reach. A rigid, latched pool or spa cover and an alarm are also helpful. Prepare for emergencies by having rescue equipment (shepherd's hook, safety ring, rope) and a telephone by the pool, and by posting emergency numbers and safety/CPR instructions. When you leave the pool area, remove the steps from above-ground pools, and remove pool toys and balls, tricycles, and wagons that children might try to retrieve when you're not looking.

Ponds, lakes, rivers, and oceans: Waves, currents, undertows, plants, and underwater debris make swimming very unpredictable. Swim only in designated areas marked by signs or buoys. If you take your child boating, sailing, or canoeing, make sure everyone wears the proper life jacket. Children's life jackets must be the right size, fit snugly, and be fastened correctly with all the straps, belts, and clasps. Also, don't mix alcohol with swimming or boating.

Swimming lessons: At age 4 or 5, most children are ready to begin swimming lessons. Lessons can help your child feel more comfortable and be safer around water, but they don't guarantee that your child is safe from drowning. Always make sure an adult supervises your child in and around water. And teach your child to swim with a buddy.

CPR: In the event of a drowning emergency, the sooner CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) is administered, the greater the chance of survival. Get CPR training and keep your skills updated through your local recreation department, adult education program, fire department, hospital, American Red Cross, or American Heart Association.

When my son (who will be 5 in August) had his first birthday, we had a wading pool at his party. There were probably only about 7 little ones (2 and under) there, and it was a huge hit. All the parents helped their kids in the water and played with them, so I wasn't sorried about adequate supervision at the time.

However, knowing what I know now, I wouldn't do it again. It just seems like there's too much risk there, and I wouldn't be able to personally guarantee the safety of every kid who might play in the pool. But I think we'll definitely have a sprinkler this year; I've been eyeing this one: http://www.littletikes.com/toys/toys-detail.aspx?Product_.... And the kids love it on hot days when I just grab the hose with the sprinkler attachment and they creep up toward me. When they get close enough, I squirt them (usually on the "mist" setting so no one gets super wet or scared) and they squeal and run away. It's perfectly safe, and they adore it!

I've attended a party like this in mid-august. It was a blast!

I think that sounds fun. Another idea is to fill one with water for "swimming" and fill the other with balls as a ball pit. We did that for my daughter's 1st birthday party last year and the little ones loved it.

Congratulations on your 1st year of motherhood!

I don't think a pool at a first birthday party is a good idea. It is way too much responsibility and liability. Not to mention that, then you have a bunch of wet kids that need to be changed and dried off. Not like that is too big of deal, but I say it is too much of a risk.

I would skip the pool - and if I was invited, I would probably skip your party as well. Parties just very hectic and it only takes a second to turn your head and have something bad happen. Not to mention, wet babies, change of clothes, applying sunscreen are always a lot more work when you are just trying to focus on the birthday party.

Hi B.,

I would personally skip the pool idea ans go with perhaps a sprinkler or water game.

Pools are too much of a liability.

You can have fun with a wiggle sprinkler system or some type of water game.

Good luck,

It's just my opinion.

J.

It sounds like it could be a lot of fun, but a concern for any uninformed parents. If you decide to have the pools be sure to let the parents know that there will be pools, how many kids have been invited, and what you have done to make it safe and easy for the parents (ie: umbrellas, towels, little swimmers, sunblock, etc.) and that the parents will need to watch their own child and bring whatever you cannot supply. Good luck and have fun!
J.

I had a baby pool at my daughter's first birthday and it was a huge hit! As far as safety goes, the mom's just naturally sat right next to the pool and played with the kids and chatted. Two words of advice: 1) make sure you fill the pool a while ahead of time to let the water warm up a bit (we learned that the hard way). 2) make sure to schedule the party so that your daughter gets a nap at some point in time (so schedule the party either way before her nap, or better yet, after her naptime. Have fun!

I did the same when my son turned 1 and it was a big hit with the babies and parents. I also put a huge beach umbrella out for extra shade for the babies.
Obviously every baby will have a parent there so there would be no safety concern. Just make sure that every baby has a swim diaper!
Have fun!

As long as the parents of these children are there and watching them you will be just fine. It's the parents risk if they are not watching their own child. Just don't fill the pools, a good rule of thumb is to not fill higher than a babies belly button (as their noses are higher than the belly button). Enjoy.

I am planning the same thing for my daughter's 1st birthday party. She has a lot of cousins of all ages and her bday is in August - HOT! We are going to have a few kiddie pools, a sprinkler, and a slip & slide so there is something for all ages to keep them busy. There will be at least one parent with each kid - so they can be in charge. Have fun!!

well, that sounds fun, but, are you ready for all the different kids developmental stages and... the possibility of drowning? i mean, i know there will be supervision, but it does get hectic with other kids and the party atmosphere... i would proceed with caution or maybe only have the pool out for a half hour to an hour and then put them away. you dont want any kids being in them unsupervised....

i agree with the sprinkler idea, and a bubble machine. that would be the best 10$ you would ever spend for the young ones. my 18 month old gets HOURS of enjoyment out of the bubble machine. make sure to buy a big jug of bubble mix for when the little jugs run out!

soudns like great fun though!

It is a fine idea, but it will be VERY important that adults are there at the pools watching the babies at ALL times and to watch the pools when the pool time is done to make sure no one ends up back in the water. During the excitement of a party, it is easy for a little one to end up under the water without anyone noticing. These kinds of accidents happen all the time, but they are easily preventable.

Hi B.. I am a 26 year old first time mother. My daughter just turned 1 year about 3 weeks ago. I think that the idea of a pool party is great! It keeps all the tots (and the mess) outside, and everyone gets to have fun and enjoy the weather. I would recommend that you have the pool area shaded and pleanty of sunscreen on hand, since those little ones tend to burn easily! It may even be a good idea to have a few little swimmers diapers handy for those guests who don't have one for their children. You don't want anyone swimming in pee pee water :) I hope your child has a great birthday! Good luck and have fun.

N. T.

Sounds like a lot of fun, B.. Just make sure the parents all know to watch their children closely! Depending on the age of the guests, sidewalk chalk is also fun. And you could fill one of the pools with those plastic ball-pit balls instead of water.
Have fun!