Going to the pool with your baby and not sure what to do about their diaper? The answer is swim diapers. Swim diapers, or swim pants, are a specially-designed diaper that is meant to be used only in the pool or ocean to make sure that your little one’s bum is covered and contained. This guide will go over the types of swim diapers that are available and why swim diapers are essential for babies to wear.

Purpose and Importance of Swim Diapers

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all public swimming facilities require the use of swim diapers on infants and toddlers. Their reasons for this are as follows:

• Swim diapers prevent bathroom "accidents" in the pool.
• Swim diapers significantly decrease the spread of fecal bacterial contamination.
• Swim diapers prevent waste from spreading bacteria like E. coli.
• Such infection-causing bacteria can be dangerous and potentially lethal to individuals in and around the pool facility.

Many parents prefer using swim diapers as opposed to regular diapers because they:

• Do not swell-up like normal diapers in the pool.
• Are easy to use on a pool-day.
• Come in easy-to-find, various sizes.
• Keep their child healthy and safe.
• Keep other near-by children and individuals healthy and safe.
• Can add a cute style to the baby’s swim outfit.

Why Wear Swim Diapers and Not Regular Diapers?

Swim diapers are specifically made to be worn in the pool or at the beach. Their purpose is to prevent the diaper from swelling up, becoming uncomfortable, and losing its ability to perform its intended function. Below explains the differences between a swim diaper and a normal diaper if used at the pool:

Swim diapers:

• Have minimal water absorption to prevent adding extra weight.
• Are easy to put on and take off while wet.
• Have fun swim-friendly designs.

Regular diapers:

• Do NOT restrict any water absorption, thus adding unnecessary weight to the baby’s diaper
• Will sag when wet.
• Are uncomfortable once they swell with water.
• Will not retain any urine or feces once in pool.
• Are sturdy enough to stay on while in wet pool.

Reusable Swim Diapers vs. Disposable Swim Diapers

Both reusable and disposable swim diapers are good alternatives, but public pools may only allow one type. Be sure to check with the public pool facility before entering the pool. The following are the benefits and features of both disposable and reusable swim diapers:

Disposable swim diapers:

• Need to be changed as soon as they are soiled.
• Must be changed away from pool area.
• Cannot be used again after changing.
• Easily fit a pack of Huggies® Little Swimmer® in purse or bag.

Reusable swim diapers:

• Need to be cleaned as soon as they are soiled.
• Must be changed away from pool area.
• Can be used again after fully cleaning in the wash.
• Must bring extra reusable diapers to change into after one is soiled.
• My Pool Pal swim diapers come in cute, reusable styles.

Features to Look For

Two of the best swim diapers out there are the Huggies® Little Swimmer® Swimpants (disposable) and the My Pool Pal swim diaper (reusable). Both contain the following ideal features for swim diapers:

Huggies® Little Swimmer® Swimpant:

• Reliable swim diaper with adorable designs.
• Tear-away tabs for easy removal and disposal.
• Unique absorbent material won't swell in water.
• Special leak guards help protect fecal leakage.
• Stretchy sides for a comfortable fit.
• Back label helps kids tell back from front.

My Pool Pal swim diaper:

• Reusable swim diaper that must be thoroughly cleaned after each use.
• Reliable swim diaper combined with the function and style of an adorable swimsuit.
• Can be pulled on and off just like underwear.
• Minimal water absorption to prevent adding extra weight.
• Sell matching accessories, like sun hats, rash guards, etc.

How to Use Swim Diapers

• Put swim diaper(s) on infant or child.
• OPTIONAL: Put swim bottom over swim diaper.
• Check swim diaper for soiling every 30-60 minutes.
• For toddlers, take them on bathroom breaks every 30-60 minutes.
• Once soiled, change child or infant in a bathroom, away from pool.
• Change to a new swim diaper.
• Throw away used disposable swim diaper OR clean reusable swim diaper and store.
• Wash reusable swim diaper in washing machine at home.

Every public swimming facility may have its own specific rules for swim diapers, but the main idea is always the same: keep the pool and surrounding area clean and safe. Some public pools require the use of any sort of swim pant. Other pools may have strict rules where they require the baby to simultaneously wear two types of swim pant for extra safety precautions.

Before heading to the pool, be sure to call the facility ahead of time to check what their requirements are. The standards for healthy swimming at each public pool facility are determined both by the CDC and by the individual pool regulations.

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