The Athlete Approved Guide to Using Diapers for Swimming

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Having a relaxing day at the pool can be a very daunting task for parents, especially when their child is not potty trained. Luckily, swim diapers are available and can help you avoid any accidents from happening while at the pool or any body of water.

There are many types of swim diapers on the market and finding the right one can be overwhelming for parents. That’s why we researched the best options out there, so that you and your little one can have a great swimming experience!

Our Athlete Approved Guide to the best diapers for swimming includes:

Best Overall Diaper for Swimming: Beau & Belle Littles Nageuret Reusable Swim Diaper

The Nageuret Reusable Swim Diaper by Beau & Belle Littles is our best overall swim diaper. Parents are always looking for the perfect diaper to fit their baby’s unique shape. These deliver just that with durable materials and a variety of designs, making them 100% parent approved!

The elastic waistband features three snaps that provide for a more secure fit to catch and hold any messes as they happen.

The watertight seal prevents unwanted accidents by keeping all your baby’s solids inside the diaper. They’re soft, adjustable and best of all waterproof!

They are reusable, which saves you money and hassle. This swim diaper features comfortable and easy-to-wash internal nylon mesh coupled with a durable waterproof outer layer of polyester.

The unisex pattern is perfectly suitable for both your little boy or girl, so you can make them feel confident in the water from day one.

Best Reusable Diaper for Swimming: Green Sprouts Snap Reusable Absorbent Swim Diaper

The Green Sprouts Snap Reusable Absorbent Swim Diaper is a reusable diaper that is designed to give infants the comfort and mobility their parents want them to have when going on water adventures.

Their patented triple-layer design, which is breathable, absorbent, and waterproof allows babies to enjoy swimming without feeling like they’re wearing a heavy diaper!

This saves you money from not having to purchase a disposable swim diaper as well! To top it off, purchasing this product leads to less waste so our planet will thank you too!

This swim diaper features lock side snaps make it convenient and easy to put on and off. The UPF 50+ sun protection for excellent sun protection (think of it as built in sunscreen!).

Best Disposable Diaper for Swimming: Pampers Splashers Disposable Swim Diapers

The Pampers Splashers Disposable Swim Diapers are our top pick for disposable swim diapers. Swimming with a baby is already hard enough, so make it a little easier on yourself by simply discarding this swim diaper it into the garbage when finished.

Packing this swim diaper for the pool is the perfect way to give your little one fun in the water without worrying about leaks. These make swim time less stressful when it comes to changing diapers because the easy tear sides allow you to access your tot quickly and easily.

Its unique design features a 360°, gap-free waistband for ultimate fit and comfort. The all around leak-proof protection fits snugly on their legs.

You can trust diapers from Pampers. It is dermatologically tested, so you can rest assured it will be gentle on your baby’s skin!

Best Diaper for Swim Lessons: Finis Swim Diapers

Finis Swim Diapers are the best option for little kiddos in swim lessons. They have an elastic waistband that makes them easy to put on and provides the most important thing – a secure fit!

Swim teachers know how frustrating it is when diapers with snaps or velcro open during a lesson. If solid waste accidentally escapes it will immediately end the swim lesson for your little one, plus everyone else in the pool.

Finis swim diapers also protect babies from being exposed to harmful UV rays. They have a soft polyester lining and UPF 50+.

Best Looking Diaper for Swimming: Wegreeco Snap One Size Adjustable Reusable Baby Swim Diaper

The Wegreeco Snap One Size Adjustable Reusable Baby Swim Diaper will have your baby styling at the pool with this great looking swim diaper!

Searching for the perfect design to celebrate your kiddo’s new-found love of sea life? Then this is just what you’re looking for! Whether it’s a starfish, ocean, turtle or fox that gets your tot ready to swim ー they have it all. Our favorite has to be the deep sea design!

Not only does it look good, but it is also effective. For starters, its 3-snap system offers lots of adjustability so you can find your perfect fit. The hidden waist snaps protect delicate skin as well as providing extra comfort during swimming; plus the elastic band holds everything in place without restricting movement.

Best Budget Diaper for Swimming: Alvababy Swim Diaper

The Alvababy Swim Diaper is the perfect protection for babies on a budget! Do not allow the price to fool you, they are a great swim diaper.

Soft and comfortable, this watertight swim diaper provides a comfortable fit. The one-size allows you to easily pull them on-and-off. They are also adjustable with 3×3 snaps to adjust the size, as well as elastic at both edges of the swim diaper to fit each thigh area securely.

They are thrifty and reusable! This is a great diaper to not have to worry about leaks while you’re out swimming! They are also quite stylish and offer a variety of fun patterns.

The Best Adult Swim Diaper: Swimmates Disposable Adult Swim Diapers

The Swimmates Disposable Adult Swim Diapers are designed so that adults can swim worry free while keeping the pool clean from bowel incontinence. Swimming is such an amazing form of exercise and this product helps makes it available to all!

This adult swimming diaper features comfortably fitting inner-leg cuffs for maximum protection. They have minimal swelling and can be worn discretely under a bathing suit.

They come in sizes from youth (80lbs) through adult (250+ lbs).

What is a Swim Diaper?

Swim diapers are made specifically for water usage: pools, lakes or oceans. They have one job and that’s to keep all the poop in!

Experienced parents know that the best swim diapers are designed to hold in solids, but not liquids. They have elastic around the waist and legs to help contain 💩.

Swim diapers are made to not absorb liquid, so they do not weigh your swimmer down. For this reason it is best practice for parents to change kiddos into a swim diaper right before getting in the water.

Otherwise if your kiddo pees in the car or on land, there will be an icky mess on your hands!

Swim diapers should be comfortable for your little one to wear so they can have a good time in the water without feeling restricted.

Can I Use Regular Diapers for Swimming?

You should NOT use a regular diaper for swimming.

Since a regular diaper is not waterproof, it will become much too heavy and uncomfortable when wet.

Normal diapers are designed to be super absorbent. When you mix that with pool water, it’s a bad combination!

Your baby’s behind will feel like an anchor dragging them through the depths of any body of water they’re in. Non-water-proof nappies will also keep them from learning to swim properly!

The worst part is that they do not work…

Don’t be that guy/gal who lets your child’s hershey-squirts close the pool down. The judging eyes of other parents will have you coming back to this article wishing you picked up a proper swim diaper.

You will also scar your new little swimmer into never wanting to show their face at the pool again.

What Do Pools Do When There is Poop in the Pool?

Pool guys call this a “code brown”.

The CDC has guidelines for cleaning poop out of the pool. After the baby ruth bar is removed, facilities need to keep the free chlorine concentration at 2 parts per million and PH at 7.5.

Then the closure time is surprisingly only 30 minutes.

If you don’t know what that means, then no worries. The lifeguards and pool manager will handle it.

The tricky part for pools is when the poop is not solid. In that case, the closure could result to be much longer.

What Do Pools Do When There is Pee in the Pool?

To be honest, there is not too much we can do about pee in the pool.

Most pools have a designated kiddie pool. Those pools come with the risk that there may be more pee in that pool than the others.

When we did a poll on how many competitive swimmers pee in the pool, the results came back at 100%. Yes, all competitive swimmers pee in the pool. We are not going to put a #AthleteApproved on that statement, but it is true.

The good news is that chlorine is incredibly effective at sanitizing water!

While we are on the topic, the smell that you think is chlorine are actually chloramines. The smell means that chlorine is working hard – so there is likely urine, sweat, body oils or other goodies in the pool.

There is an old wives tale that pools add chemicals to the water that turn your pee into another color. This is meant to discourage people from urinating in a pool.

Our team has searched far and wide finding no evidence of this. We have deemed this an urban legend. If you have any more information, please leave a comment below so we can get to the bottom of it and end our study.

That is a joke. In all seriousness, please go to the bathroom in the bathroom. Don’t be gross.

Two Types of Swim Diapers: Disposable and Reusable

There are two types of swim diapers for swimming: disposable and reusable.

Disposable swim diapers have many benefits for parents because they can be thrown away after use – no more worries about washing them! However, one downside is that these need to be replaced for each swim.

Reusable diapers have their benefits. They can be reused for each swim and hold up well over time (so your investment will pay off!).

They both have pros and cons, use the below specs to determine which is best for your swimming needs.

Disposable Swim Diapers

  • Easy to throw away
  • Need to buy more when you run out
  • Will cost more over time if you swim regularly

Reusable Swim Diapers

  • Cost a little bit more up front, but in the long-term they’re cheaper
  • Have to take home with you to wash
  • Better for environment
Best Disposable Diaper for Swimming: Pampers Splashers Disposable Swim Pants underwater
Disposable Swim Diaper
Best Fitting Diaper for Swimming: Nageuret Reusable Swim Diaper underwater
Reusable Swim Diaper

Water Safety for Children

While this may be slightly off topic for an article on swim diapers, we can’t emphasize enough the importance of water safety for children. We will take every opportunity we have to spread awareness because this topic deserves it.

Drowning is a silent killer of children. It can happen in seconds and without any warning, which makes it one of the more frightening and leading causes for death among youngsters.

You can help save a life when pool safety is a priority. The next time you are at the pool, be sure to keep children supervised at all times.

Additionally, you should be in the water within reach of any child who is not water safe. The American Red Cross defines water safe as the ability to swim 25 yards unassisted and tread water for 1 minute.

Even if they are wearing a flotation device, you should still be in the water with your child.

If you are going to use a flotation devise, look for the kind that are “Coast Guard Approved Life Vests“. We also like Puddle Jumpers.

Conclusion on the Athlete Approved Guide to Diapers for Swimming

We hope that by reading our Athlete Approved picks for the best diapers for swimming your little one can have an enjoyable time at the pool or beach!

We’ve researched the best swim diapers on the market, so that you don’t have to. It’s important to find out which one will work best with your child before purchasing any swim diaper because there are many types available!

If you read through this article, congratulations-you’re now ready for some fun in the sun with your family!

*Equip yourself for success with our Athlete Approved Guide to Lap Swimming Equipment!*

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