The Truth About Swim Diapers

Summertime is drawing near in Alaska, and many of you may be planning to take your little one to the lake or even the pool. Most of us in Alaska venture to the pool during the winter months or go on vacations to warm climates where playing in the water is a must! For those that have a child still in diapers, we all know that water and a child that is not potty trained, could lead to a disaster. That is why most public and private pools require these children to wear a swim diaper designed to catch any accidents that might occur.

 

The majority of families today are using disposable swim diapers when they take their child to the pool. It is even fairly common for me to hear that cloth diaper families are still using disposable swim diapers. But there is a little myth about disposable swim diapers that I usually have to dispel when a customer comes looking for a reusable swim diaper. The cold hard truth is that disposable swim diapers are not absorbent!! Most people put these diapers on their kiddo and think that it is not only going to contain the poop, but that it is also absorbing the pee. That is absolutely not true! The sole purpose of a swim diaper is to contain solid matter only. If the diaper actually absorbed urine, it would also be absorbing water. Now with that knowledge we can assume that a heavy, wet, soggy diaper might possibly be a drowning hazard for our little swimmer. Obviously not a good thing!

 

Disposable swim diapers are not only deceiving as to what they do, they are also a pain in the rear to use. They can be difficult to put on, and even more difficult to take off. Then once you take the diaper off your little one, you have to find a place to dispose of it. And then here we go again throwing money in the garbage! Disposable swim diapers are not cheap. How much money did you just spend on swim lessons and you are going to have to spend more money on a diaper that will end up in the garbage?

I believe a reusable swim diaper is the best way to diaper your little one when in the water. Besides saving you money they are adorable and when used properly can be incredibly effective at keeping poo from contaminating the pool. Keeping urine out of the pool is not really relevant because urine is sterile so it does not pose a risk. The poo though, can be responsible for the transmission of e. coli, so it is very important to make sure the swim diaper fits properly. 


Reusable swim diapers cost between $10 and $20. They come in sizes, so it is possible that you may have to buy a new one once or twice as your child grows. They are easy to wash and can be used over and over again. Reusable swim diapers do not contain any absorbency, but have a very soft fabric on the inside, making swim time comfortable and fun! Many people just simply use a regular cloth diaper cover as a swim diaper. This works fine, but just remember that if you choose to do this, keep that diaper cover only as a swim diaper. The chlorine or salt water can decrease it's effectiveness as a waterproof cover.