How Do Swim Diapers Work?
If you are getting ready to start swimming with your baby, you are most likely going to need plenty of swim diapers. But you might wonder how do swim diapers work and why you need to use them.
Swim diapers are diapers specifically designed for using in the water. Like regular diapers, they can be either disposable or cloth.
However, swim diapers don’t work the same way as regular diapers; they are not designed to catch urine at all.
So, what is the point of swimming diapers?
Below we tell you everything you need to know about how do baby swim diapers work and how to use swim diapers effectively!
What is the Point of a Swim Diaper?
The purpose of a swim diaper is to stop solid waste from making its way into the pool. The CDC recommends that all public swimming facilities require swim diapers for infants and toddlers. They decrease the spread of fecal bacterial contamination and E. coli.
While your backyard pool might not be a public swimming facility, chances are you don’t want your baby pooping in your pool. That means you have to take time to clean out your poop and put more work into getting all of the bacteria out of the water.
Why Do You Need Swim Diapers?
So, why should you use swim diapers rather than regular disposable diapers?
Disposable diapers aren’t designed for being immersed in water; swim diapers are. If you put disposable diapers into a pool, they will quickly absorb as much water as possible. It will sag heavily, making it uncomfortable for your baby to move. Eventually, the diaper will explode, sending gel crystals all over the place, including on your baby’s skin.
You don’t have to worry about any of this with a swim diaper. They have minimal absorption qualities, and they’re easy to take on and off while wet.
How Do Swim Diapers Work?
Swim diapers don’t work like regular disposable diapers. A regular diaper absorbs urine; the pulp in the middle of the diaper is super absorbent. It pulls liquid away from your baby’s body so that they feel dry while containing solids.
Swim diapers don’t absorb liquid. If they did, they would suck up the entire pool!
Instead, swim diapers contain solid messes, allowing liquids to pass through them. Yes, that means your child pees right through a swim diaper. It goes into the pool when you’re swimming, letting chlorine do its work to keep the pool clean.
Instead, the purpose of swim diapers is to catch poop rather than letting it go into the pool. No one wants to swim with poop; pee is better than a poop!
Should I Buy Reusable Or Disposable Swim Diapers?
Since swim diapers don’t absorb urine, is there is not much added benefit in using disposable swim diapers over reusable ones unless your baby poops in it.
Generally, parents are aware of their baby’s pooping habits, so are probably going to avoid swimming with an imminent poop on the way.
Given that, reusable swim diapers are a better choice opposed to disposable swim diapers for babies, especially if your baby is swimming on a regular basis. For example, if you have your own pool or are attending regular swimming lessons.
The reason behind this is they become more cost effective the more you use them. A pack of disposables costs over $10 for 12 or so swim diapers. Where, as a reusable diaper is typically $10-15, but once you have two or three, you never have to buy them again. Plus, just like swimsuit, once your baby has out grown it you can save it for future babies or pass it on.
Not only do reusable swim diapers save you money, but they are a mean that less waste ends up in the landfill. That’s a win for everyone!
Washing reusable diapers is easy; if your baby has not popped in them, simply wash them out in the sink and then place them in the wash with your baby’s towel and clothes.
If your baby does poop, dump out any poop into the toilet, rinse, and then wash them in the washing machine.
FAQS On How To Use Swim Diapers
No, you do not need to put a disposable diaper under a swim diaper. However, a swim diaper will not hold urine, so it is recommended you only replace your disposable diaper with your swim diaper just prior to entering the water to prevent any leaks.
No, swim diapers don’t hold urine. They have minimal absorption qualities which enable them to be immersed into water. Their main goal is to stop solid waste from making its way into the pool. You will need to put a regular diaper on your baby once you have finished swimming.
Yes, swim diapers work! Although not designed to absorb urine, they effectively stop solid waste from making its way into the pool. They are specifically designed to be immersed in water with your baby and they’re easy to take on and off while wet.
Final Thoughts On How Do Baby Swim Diapers Work
It turns out that swim diapers don’t work the same as disposable diapers, and you should know the difference. Make sure you don’t use them interchangeably; they’re not the same. If you try to, you’ll end up with a soaked baby, so it’s worth knowing how swim diapers work so you don’t make a messy mistake.
And if you’re looking for more great diapering guides, then check out these guides on diaper buying guide, best wet bag for cloth diapers, different uses for diaper rash cream, and what to do with extra diapers.
