Sauna with children

There is no correct age. There is no precise information on when the first sauna session is allowed. If the conditions are right, healthy babies can go to the sauna from the age of 4 months. However, it is much more relaxing for parents to take a sauna with infants who are no longer wearing nappies and who are already talking and therefore expressing their needs in concrete terms.

It should be noted that babies and toddlers have a much smaller body surface area than adults. This means that they heat up more quickly and also cool down. A visit to the sauna is therefore more strenuous for children than for adults - which is why parents should not be too ambitious when taking a sauna. Excessive heat or very long sauna sessions are also more of a strain on the child. Families should therefore approach taking a sauna together slowly. If you listen carefully to your little one's signals and plan rest periods for your child in good time, you can also enjoy a healthy sauna with a baby or smaller child.

The child should know in advance exactly what is going on in the sauna and how sauna guests should behave in general. The following things should also be taken into account to ensure that a sauna session with children is a success.

Plan for the urge to move
Unlike adults, small children in particular cannot sit still for long. The natural urge to move should therefore be planned for so that parents can also relax. In the sauna, children should remain seated as quietly as possible, as they heat up more quickly when they move. A little game to see who can sit still the longest helps them to persevere. Between sauna sessions, trips to the terrace, splashing around in the shower and small snacks help to ensure that children do not get bored in the sauna. The older the children get, the longer sauna sessions are possible and the resting time on the loungers can also be gradually extended.

Choose the right sauna
For small children, choosing a sauna with an adjoining swimming pool is a good idea. Here, swimming and splashing around are allowed in between, so that the quiet sauna sessions are easy to endure.

If you follow these tips and advice, a visit to the sauna with children will be a great experience for everyone:

Slow beginning
A maximum of two sauna sessions of 5 minutes each are sufficient for children under 3 years of age. Older children with more sauna experience may sweat for up to 10 minutes at a time.

Hydration
Children sweat more than adults and should therefore replenish their fluid deficit directly after each sauna session.

Cool down properly

After each sauna session, the child should cool down properly. A lukewarm to cold shower is better than a bucket or a plunge pool. In the sauna itself, ice cubes provide some cooling and help the child to last longer.
Warmth after the last sauna session: For perfect relaxation, a portion of warmth is ideal at the end. A warm water pool makes children pleasantly tired after the sauna.