What's the youngest age a baby should be able to handle being in a swimming pool? Is there a guideline for it?

I first took my daughter to a public pool at 4 months old. She was fine. We were only in the pool for 30 minutes. The swimming classes I go to admit children from 6 weeks, suggesting that they wear a baby body warmer suit to help control their temperature, and they seem to be fine.

My bigger issue with public pools isn't the chlorine so much as the fact that you're around a LOT of people in what amounts to a big pool of germs. Likewise, non-saltwater bodies of water like lakes and rivers are full of all sorts of nasty germs. I wouldn't feel comfortable having a kid in a lake, river, or public pool until at least half a year if not older.

Ocean water (if your baby can stay warm enough to tolerate it) is fine (as oceans cannot sustain much in the way of bacteria humans are at risk of contracting), and your own pool or a friend's pool is also fine.

Great question I want to know this also.