Swim diapers are a must whether you are headed to the beach or the pool this summer. In fact they make my list for both baby beach essentials and my toddler beach essentials because I never want to be caught without one. Here are all the pros and cons to disposable and reusable swim diapers plus what to do about swim diapers while on vacation.
The first important fact to know: regular diapers do not make a good substitute for swim diapers. Especially if you want your baby to stay comfortable in the water.
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Do Babies Need Swim Diapers
Yes, toddlers that are not potty trained and babies need to wear swim diapers anytime they enter the water. Poop actually carries several types of bacteria and parasites such as cryptosporidium. Cryptosporidium can cause disease in other people and is a waterborne disease (CDC). So in order to prevent the spread of disease all babies should wear well fitting swim diapers that will contain any possible poop while swimming.
How Do Swim Diapers Work?
Swim diapers are a fabric barrier between poop and water. They are not absorbent and do not absorb pee or water which makes them able to be worn in the water. Swim diapers are often tighter than regular diapers with elastic at the waist and legs to better prevent leaks.
Wearing a swim diaper is not a replacement for changing a poopy diaper however. It is still recommended that the swim diaper be checked frequently and changed as quickly as possible when a child poops.
What is the Difference Between Swim Diapers and Regular Diapers?
The biggest difference between swim diapers and regular diapers is their absorbance level. Regular diapers are very absorbent and so they stop pee and poop from leaking out. However, because of this they also absorb water which makes them swell up in water and become VERY heavy and uncomfortable.
Swim diapers on the other hand are less absorbent and will not absorb urine. Swim diapers are more to stop poop from leaking out into the water. This makes them great for swimming because they stay lightweight and in place when in the water.
Pro tip: Wait until you’re at your destination and ready to get in the water before putting on the swim diaper. Because swim diapers are not absorbent they do not hold pee and you could find yourself with a pee accident to clean up if you switch diapers too early.
Types of Swim Diapers
There are four types of swim diapers. The first split is reusable swim diapers vs disposable swim diapers. Then from there you have to decide whether you prefer pull down swim diapers or pull apart swim diapers. Let’s weigh the pros and cons below.
Disposable Swim Diapers
Disposable swim diapers are easy to use and usually come in large packs of 12-24. This way you have several on hand at all times. They also are definitely easier to clean up after if your child does poop while swimming. You can simply change the diaper like normal and dispose of the diaper in the trash can, super easy.
However, the biggest con to disposable diapers is that they go to the landfill after one use and you will continuously have to be purchasing more diapers as the summer goes on. A smaller issue, but one worth noting, disposable swim diapers are not cute and they are a one style fits all options whereas reusable swim diapers come in many prints and patterns.
Reusable Swim Diapers
If you are going to be swimming on any sort of regular basis then reusable swim diapers will save you money. One swim diaper costs about the same as a package of disposable swim diapers. So over time the savings will add up if you invest in a reusable diaper or two early on.
I know it sounds like a small detail but reusable diapers lead to less landfill waste. It is worth the small inconvenience to deal with a poopy diaper now and then to help decrease waste.
And of course reusable diapers are just so much cuter than disposable diapers. There are so many patterns to choose from for both boys and girls. Whether you decide to put the swim diaper on under the swimsuit like we do or use the swim diaper as the swimsuit bottoms it is just more fun when they’re cute.
The biggest con to reusable swim diapers is cleaning them up after a kid poops in them. You have to change the diaper, put the dirty diaper in a bag, take it home, dispose of the poop in the toilet, then put it through the laundry. Definitely a bigger hassle than simply tossing it in the trash.
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Snaps vs Pull Down Swim Diapers
Once you’ve decided whether reusable swim diapers or disposable swim diapers are right for you and your family now you get to choose between pull down swim diapers and pull apart swim diapers.
Pull down swim diapers are just how they sound, they pull up or down to get them on and off. I honestly feel these are no good. If your child poops while wearing one then it is a huge mess to get that diaper off. I mean it just smears things all over their legs. My vote: skip the hassle and get a pull apart swim diaper.
Pull apart swim diapers act more like a regular diaper when you are changing them. Reusable swim diapers will have snaps or velcro on the sides that can be easily undone. The disposable swim diapers will go on like pull ups but then you can simply tear the sides apart when you need to take it off. This is so much more simple and cleaner.
Poop
In high school and a little ways into college I was a lifeguard at my local community pool. Every time a kid pooped in the pool and it leaked out of a diaper, we had to close the pool for 30 minutes. This was so that we could “shock” the pool with increased chemicals then the 30 minute wait time was to let the water run through the filtration system. As a high school kid getting paid minimum wage, I loved it.
However, from a business standpoint this could cost them a lot of business. So let’s cover some basic, good to know information about poop in water.
How Often Do Kids Poop?
How often does your child really poop? Maybe 3-4 times per day right? So if it is a short trip to the beach or pool then odds are really good that you won’t have to deal with any poop at all.
On the other hand, there’s always a chance. Your best bet is to check your kiddos diaper every 30ish minutes so that you catch it early if a bowel movement happens.
Breastfed Baby Poops
Babies that are exclusively breastfed actually have water soluble poop. Some people use this as an excuse to say little babies shouldn’t swim. I disagree because there are safe ways to handle poop. To be safe it would be a good idea to check their diapers more frequently.
Diarrhea
If anyone has diarrhea ever then they shouldn’t be swimming. Don’t swim while you currently have diarrhea as well as for up to two weeks afterwards. You could spread the parasite causing diarrhea to other people. And this is true for both adults and children.
How do you clean poop from a reusable swim diaper?
If your child does poop in their swim diaper then change it as soon as possible, bag it and deal with the diaper at home. Once home, start by emptying any poop on the diaper into the toilet. The more solid the poop the better in this case. If it is not solid then wipe it off as best you can with toilet paper. Being a parent is so fun sometimes isn’t it?
Next rinse the diaper out in the sink. From here most reusable diapers are machine washable so you can throw the swim diaper in with the rest of the wash and it will come out as good as new and ready to be used again.
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- Ultimate Baby and Toddler Summer Bucket List
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The Best Reusable Swim Diapers for the Beach or Pool
There are a lot of options out there for swim diapers so here are the tried and true options that either I’ve tried personally or come very highly recommended. It may take a little trial and error to find the very best option for your kiddo but this should steer you in the right direction.
Nageuret
The Nageuret by Beau and Belle is an especially attractive option for a reusable swim diaper thanks to its longevity. Thanks to its system of snaps this diaper is as adjustable as it gets. It can fit a child from 8 pounds through 36 pounds although some reviews say that they fit thinner babies better than chunky babies.
iPlay by Green Sprouts
The i Play swim diaper has amazing reviews online. It fits well, is machine washable and reportedly holds regular poop as well as newborn poop. The price tag makes these a really affordable option that anyone can use and they come in several different color options.
Alvababy Swim Diaper
Alvababy swim diapers are one of the most affordable options on the market. They come in two packs for under ten dollars. Not to mention they come in over a dozen colors and pattern options. The snaps are adjustable so they fit a wide range of sizes and will last more than one summer.
Best disposable diapers
Pampers Splashers
Pampers Splashers are a great option for disposable diapers. They pull on like a pull up, then when you are ready to change your kiddos diaper the sides pull apart. It makes for an easy, mess free diaper change. They hold up well, don’t chafe or cause diaper rash in our experience and do their job.
Huggies Little Swimmers
Another great option for disposable swim diapers is Huggies Little Swimmers. These name brand diapers also pull apart at the sides for easy diaper changes. They work well to hold in messes and stay comfortable all day at the beach.
Wet Dry Bag
A wet dry bag is a game changing item to bring along especially if you choose to use reusable swim diapers. But it can be useful when you use disposable diapers too. There are specific designated products you can purchase that will trap the moisture in (or keep it out) that work great. If you don’t want to spend the extra money right now then a gallon ziplock bag works really well.
With reusable swim diapers, after you use them you need somewhere to put them. Especially if your kiddo does poop in the diaper then you do not just want to toss that in your beach bag. Instead, having a wet dry bag gives you a clean place to put the swim diaper where it won’t contaminate anything else.
This isn’t so much a necessity when you’re using disposable diapers because you can just toss the diaper after using it. A wet dry bag is still a really handy place to put the wet swimsuit when you are done for the day. Especially if you plan on going out afterward!
Swim Diapers While Traveling
Using swim diapers while traveling is not that different from using swim diapers at home. You will want to bring 2-3 diapers for each full day you plan to be in the water. Just remember to check the diaper frequently even while you are out having fun.
If you do not have easy access to doing laundry on a consistent basis then I recommend using disposable swim diapers on vacation rather than a reusable swim diaper. Even if you use a reusable swim diaper at home there is no denying the ease of being able to throw away a dirty diaper immediately after the fact.
So if you cannot wash your reusable diapers every other day or so then you have to think about logistics like where are you storing dirty diapers, how many swim diapers can you pack, how are you going to clean them regularly. It may be worth using disposable diapers to save yourself the hassle and to save space in your suitcase.
More on Traveling with a Baby:
- How to Travel with a Baby: Everything You Need to Know
- 17+ Baby Travel Essentials to Simplify Family Travel
- Top Tips to Help Your Toddler Sleep on a Plane
FAQ’s
Can you use swim diapers as regular diapers?
No, a swim diaper doesn’t absorb pee so it does not work as a regular diaper. In fact even for short periods of time such as on the drive too and from the pool I wouldn’t trust it. You never know when your baby or toddler will pee and it is no fun to have to wash the car seat.
Can babies swim in regular diapers?
No, not in an ideal situation. Regular diapers fit more loosely around the waist and legs so they can leak more easily in the water than a swim diaper. But the bigger issue is actually the fact that they absorb liquids. When a regular diaper gets soaked, such as in a pool or in the ocean, then it balloons up as it tries to absorb as much as it can. This makes the diaper become VERY heavy and extremely uncomfortable. In a pinch and while playing at a splash pad or shallow pool for a short period of time it will do the job.
For longer trips and especially if your child will be swimming, you are going to need a swim diaper.
Can a cloth diaper be used as a swim diaper
No, a cloth diaper cannot be used as a swim diaper. Although they won’t swell up as much as a disposable regular diaper they are still designed to absorb liquids. So they still become heavy and may chafe your child’s sensitive skin. Swim diapers will work better in the long run.
Are swim diapers necessary?
Yes, swim diapers are necessary when an unpotty trained child goes swimming in order to prevent the spread of fecal borne diseases.
Do swim diapers go over regular diapers?
No, a swim diaper is a diaper on its own. Regular diapers absorb water and swell up, becoming uncomfortable to wear. So you won’t want one under a swim diaper as that would just be really uncomfortable.
Do swim diapers hold urine?
No, most swim diapers don’t hold any urine. A few say they hold some but it is not a significant amount. Because swim diapers don’t hold pee they will leak if you put them on before getting in the water.
Do swim diapers hold poop? Newborn Poop?
Yes, that is the entire purpose of a swim diaper. To hold poop and keep it from entering the water until you can change their diaper. Newborn poop is water soluble which makes it harder to contain, the solution is to check your child’s diaper more frequently so that you can change it as quickly as possible.
Do babies need to wear diapers in the pool?
Yes babies should wear diapers in the pool or near water at all times just in case they poop. You never know when they’ll go so you should always be prepared. It is for the health and safety of everyone else swimming.
Are swim diapers worn under a swimsuit?
Swim diapers can be worn under a swimsuit or as a swimsuit it all just depends on the style you purchase. Disposable diapers will almost always be worn underneath the swimsuit. Many reusable swim diapers can also be worn underneath a swimsuit as well. However, some reusable swim diapers are designed to be the swimsuit itself. Additionally, if you choose to have your child wear the swim diaper by itself as the swimsuit then you can.
Shop Swim Diapers
Guide to Reusable Swim Diapers
Now you should have everything you need for a fun summer filled with pool days and beach trips knowing your child is comfortable. If you have any other questions leave them in the comments and I’ll answer them as best I can.
