How Do I Find the Best Swim Diaper?

Swimming with a diaper doesn’t have to be messy and confusing!

Babies as young as 3 months old can get in the pool and they can start learning to swim at 6 months old. However, this can be quite difficult when your little one is still in diapers. Many parents are confused or uncomfortable with the idea of dealing with wet and dirty diapers. This does not have to be the case though. Here is AquaMobile’s guide to help you find the best swim diaper for a happy swim session!

Overview

In general, swimming diapers are designed to hold solids in and let liquid escape. It is recommended and sometimes required in several states for swimmers to wear plastic pants over any type of swim diaper.  This is for extra security regardless of if they are reusable or disposable.

The Importance of Swim Diapers

Swim diapers are important for a variety of reasons. These are for safety, venue requirements and cleanliness. Three of them are listed below.

Regular diapers will absorb water and weigh your baby down. All public pools and most beaches require swim diapers. Pool cleanups after “number two” accidents are expensive and result in the pool being closed for many hours.

Reusable Swim Diapers

Most reusable swim diapers are lined with a polyester mesh layer. While others have built-in plastic (or swimsuit-material) pants over the diaper. A reusable swim diaper costs anywhere from $7-20 and comes in many colours and patterns. Most resemble regular swimsuits like i Play reusable swim diapers, which are budget-friendly. Flushable liners such as Bumkins Flushable diaper liners inside the diaper make cleanup much easier. This is the best economic option for frequent swimmers.

There are three main types of reusable swim diapers. Each one has its strengths and flaws.

Velcro Straps: These adjust easily to your child’s body, but can catch on to other clothing in the washing machine. Snap Closure: This type of swim diaper is not as adjustable as the ones with velcro straps. However, they are easy to put on and take off. Pull-On: Using this swim diaper is as the name says as easy pulling on and off. Be aware that it can be hard to take this off your child without spills.

A popular reusable swim diaper brand is the Swimmi by Bummis (~$16). It features velcro straps, which allow for maximum flexibility when it comes to your toddler's waist. This is important as swim diapers work best when they fit as snugly as possible. The smallest size for the diaper starts at 9 pounds, so even most infants can use it.

Swim Diaper Tip #1

Buy at least two reusable swim diapers. Although they are reusable, these swim diapers can get dirty pretty quickly. This also lets your child quickly change in and out of dirty diapers for an uninterrupted swimming session.

Swim Diaper Tip #2

Some pools have rules that prohibit rinsing reusable diapers in their washrooms. Always bring a plastic bag along to hold dirty diapers just in case.

Disposable Swim Diapers

Much like regular diapers, disposable swim diapers are thrown away after use. Disposable swim diapers do not swell up or weigh your baby down when exposed to water. Although they aren’t as aesthetically pleasing as their counterparts, parents prefer these for convenience. The patterns fade and wrinkle after use.

The most popular disposable swim diaper brands are the Huggies Little Swimmer and the Pampers Splashers. Prices range from 40¢ –60¢ per diaper depending on the size. They are generally sold in packs of 20. Parents usually prefer one over the other and others choose to buy whichever is cheaper.

Swim Diaper Tip #3

Plan things before you and your little one go on holiday. Bring at least 3 disposable swim diapers for each day you plan to swim together. Always have 3 backup swim diapers on hand as well.

Let’s Review!

Reusable and disposable swim diapers have their pros and cons. Reusable diapers are the better choice economically if you like to swim more often. However, they lack the convenience that disposable swim diapers have. While disposable swim diapers cost more in the long run, they are good for trips and occasional visits to the pool. In the end, choose the swim diapers that suit you and your baby’s needs!