As both a pediatrician and a former water safety instructor and lifeguard I
just wanted to add my two cents on the swimming with baby issue. I disagree
with the academy that you have to wait until three. Babies can have a great
time with their mom's in the water (and mom's with their babies) so its
great if they both enjoy it. I do not think that mom's should feel that they
HAVE to take these lessons. Children can learn just fine to swim at a later
date (adults to for that matter). The key is that kids should learn to like
water - and the bathtub is a great place to start. Two important points for
teaching babies in a pool is that there must be CONSTANT HANDS ON
SUPERVISION and the time should be limited to about 1/2 an hour to prevent
hypothermia (take the baby out sooner if they are starting to shudder or
"their lips are blue") and to prevent overexposure to chlorine.
As far as breastmilk in the pool water - I am sure that an analysis would
reveal far more urine that breastmilk in the average pool!