Curious about how swim diapers work? Learn the essentials in our guide for a safe and clean pool experience!
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Swimming season is here, and it’s time to dip your little one’s toes into the pool! To make sure your child stays safe and healthy while enjoying a dip, it’s important to understand how swim diapers work. Swim diapers are designed specifically for swimming in public pools or water parks, as they help prevent the spread of germs and bacteria.
Whether you’re heading to the pool with a baby or toddler, swim diapers can be an essential element of your swim gear. Not only do they contain any accidents, but swim diapers also help keep pools clean and hygienic for all swimmers. But how exactly do swim diapers work?
Keeping Poop In, and Germs Out
It might sound funny, but it’s true: swim diapers are designed to contain poop and keep it out of the pool, but they let the pee flow right out of them like some sort of strainer!
So let’s talk about the mechanics of swim diapers. Swim diapers have an inner lining that helps keep in solid waste while letting liquid waste pass through it. But the real magic of the swim diaper lies in its outer layer. The outer lining of a swim diaper is designed to be water-resistant, preventing it from swelling and becoming waterlogged like a regular diaper would! This outer layer also helps prevent bacteria and germs from seeping through the swim diaper and into the pool.
In addition to keeping pools clean, swim diapers are also important for your child’s health. Bacteria in the water can cause skin and eye irritation, and it’s important to protect your little one from germs!
A Little Caveat for Exclusively Breastfed Babies
So the main idea of the swim diaper is to catch poop and keep it from going out into the water. But what if the poop is mostly liquid, which is the case for exclusively breastfed babies?
Well, you have to bear in mind that liquid waste can still seep through the swim diaper, so the best way to get around the liquidy poop is to use a combo of disposable AND reusable swim diapers.
Here is how I used to double up when my little one was exclusively breastfed:
- Use a disposable swim diaper as the first layer of protection.
- Put a reusable swim diaper like this one on top of the disposable diaper for extra containment.
- Change your baby’s diaper right before putting on their swimming gear, to make sure they’re not already wet by the time they get in the pool.
How to Use a Swim Diaper for Healthy Swimming
It’s no surprise that using and changing a swim diaper can be tricky, especially when you’re at the pool. That’s why it’s important to know what to expect when it comes to using swim diapers before heading to the pool.
Getting the Right Swim Diaper Size
First things first, make sure you’ve got the right size swim diaper for your little one! Check the sizing chart of any brand you choose and ensure that it fits snugly around your child’s waist and legs.
Usually, you’ll find that swim diapers have sizes ranging from Small to Medium to Large. Here is a quick breakdown of general swim diapers size charts:
- Size Small (S) is equivalent to regular diapers size 3. It fits babies weighing between 13 and 24 lbs (about 6 to 11 Kg)
- Size Medium (M) is equivalent to regular diapers size 4. It fits babies weighing between 20 and 33 lbs (about 9 to 15 Kg)
- Size Large (L) is equivalent to regular diapers size 5 and 6. It fits babies weighing 31 lbs or more (more than 14 Kg)
Put that Swim Diaper On!
Once you have the right fit, it’s time to put it on! The thing to keep in mind here is to put on the swim diaper just before getting your baby in the pool since the swim diaper won’t prevent your baby from wetting themselves on your way to the pool!
Most Swim diapers like the Huggies little swimmers can be put on like pull-ups. They also come with sides that you can easily open, making it hassle-free to take them off when poop happens.
Keep It Clean at All Times
It’s also important to keep your swim diaper clean at all times! Make sure you change your little one’s diaper regularly during swimming, especially if they’re still in diapers. A good rule of thumb is to change your baby’s swim diaper at least every hour, or right when the poop happens.
What to Wear Under Swim Diapers?
Nothing. That’s right! Babies don’t need to wear anything under a swim diaper.
How About Diarrhea?
If your little one has diarrhea or any other gastrointestinal illnesses, it’s best to keep them out of the pool until they’re feeling better. This is because diarrheal diseases can cause serious illnesses in pools and water parks that could affect all swimmers!
The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention warns that swim diapers can only delay diarrhea-causing germs from leaking into the water for a few minutes but ultimately it is not enough to keep those nasty germs from contaminating the pools.
Do Not Flush
When changing or disposing of Swim diapers, it’s important to remember that you should never flush them down the toilet! This is because swim diapers are not designed to dissolve in water and can actually cause major plumbing problems.
Instead, wrap used diapers and dispose of them in a covered bin away from the pool. This will help ensure that germs and bacteria stay out of the pool.
Always Bring Back up Swim Diapers
It’s always a good idea to have extra swim diapers on hand, just in case. This is especially true if your little one is still potty training and prone to little accidents! Having an extra pair of Swim Diapers can help you stay prepared for any unexpected messes that may arise during swimming time.
Final Thoughts
Swim diapers are an important part of keeping pools clean and healthy, and making sure your little one is safe in the water. Always make sure to get the right size swim diaper, put it on correctly before entering the pool, change it regularly during swimming time, and dispose of it properly afterward! With a few simple steps, you can keep your child’s skin safe and healthy, and make sure that everyone has a great time at the pool.
Most importantly, always remember to have fun in the sun! Swimming is an awesome activity for little ones, so enjoy some quality time in the pool with your family!
Happy Swimming!
The purpose of this article is informative and educational only. It’s not a substitute for medical consultation or medical care. We do not accept any responsibility for any liability, loss, or risk, personal or otherwise, incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, from any information or advice contained here. Babycious may earn compensation from affiliate links in this content.
