A swim diaper is made to hold in solids while your baby is in the water. It is not made to soak up liquid the way a regular diaper does, and that is the one idea to keep in mind before your first swim. This guide explains what that means, what a regular diaper does in water, and when to put the swim diaper on.
What a swim diaper is for
A swim diaper is a snug layer between your baby and the water. Its job is to catch solids so they stay out of the pool, lake or splash area. That is why many pools and water-play areas ask babies and toddlers to wear one.
There are two kinds. Disposable swim diapers are used once and thrown out, like Huggies Little Swimmers Disposable Swim Diapers, Size 3 Small, 12 Count. Reusable swim diapers are rinsed, washed and worn again, and they close in different ways: the Charlie Banana Reusable Swim Diaper with Snaps, The Whale on White, Small is one example. You can see both kinds in the swim diapers collection.
Why it does not absorb like a regular diaper
A regular diaper is built to take in liquid and hold on to it. In water, that same quality works against you: a filling that drinks up water gets heavy and sags. A swim diaper is designed not to balloon with water, so it depends on a close fit at the waist and legs to keep solids in.
The trade-off is that a swim diaper does not hold urine the way a regular diaper does. Think of it as a layer for time in the water, not as protection for the car ride, the stroller or a nap.
What happens to a regular diaper in water
A regular diaper that gets soaked tends to show the same problems:
- The absorbent filling swells and the diaper becomes heavy.
- It slides down at the hips and leaves gaps around the legs.
- Bits of the filling can work loose and drift into the water.
- It is not designed to keep solids in once it is waterlogged.
This is why many pools and splash areas ask families not to swim in regular diapers.
When to put the swim diaper on
Put it on shortly before your baby goes in the water, not hours earlier at home. Because it is not built to soak up liquid, wearing it for the trip to the pool can mean a wet car seat or stroller before you arrive.
Sort out the size before swim day. Depending on the maker, sizes are given as small, medium or large, or as an age or weight range, so a medium from one maker may not fit like a medium from another. Weigh your baby, use the diaper sizing guide as a starting point, and let the size range on the swim diaper's own pack or product page have the final word.
At the pool, the order is short:
- Take off the regular diaper and clean your baby's bottom as you normally would.
- Put the swim diaper on so it sits snugly at the waist and around each leg, with no gaps and no deep marks on the skin.
- Check the leg openings again once your baby has been moving around, since gaps can appear.
Follow the fitting steps on the pack or the maker's page for your particular swim diaper.
Shop this guide
- Reusable Swim Diaper with Drawstring, Floriana, Size L (22-34 lbs) (ships via Amazon)
- Pampers Swaddlers Diapers, Size 5, 100 Count (ships via Amazon)
- Spofor Youth Reusable Swim Diaper for Special Needs, Black, 8-10 Years (ships via Amazon)
- Pampers Cruisers 360 Diapers, Size 6, 76 Count (ships via Amazon)
- See all: Swim Diapers
- See all: Baby Diapers & Training Pants
Prices are on each product page. Free shipping on orders of $100 or more within Canada.
Do you wear anything over or under it
Under it, nothing. A regular diaper underneath would soak up water and bring back every problem described above, so leave it off.
Over it is a different question. A swimsuit or swim shorts can go on top, as long as they do not drag the swim diaper down or pull the leg openings out of place. Some facilities also ask for a second, snug swim layer on top of a disposable swim diaper, and others accept one layer. That rule belongs to the pool or water-play area you plan to visit, so ask them before you go.
Changing out of it afterwards
Change your baby soon after getting out of the water. A wet swim diaper is not made to be worn for long, and a dry regular diaper is more comfortable for the trip home.
- Disposable: check the pack for how to take it off. Some pull-on styles have sides that open, which is easier than pulling them down over wet legs. Wrap it up and put it in the garbage.
- Reusable: rinse it as the care label allows, then seal it in a wet bag until you can wash it.
- Either kind: dry your baby's skin well, including the creases at the legs, before putting on a regular diaper.
If you notice redness, sores or a rash that does not clear up, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. If you use a diaper rash product, follow the label.
Common questions
Can a swim diaper replace a regular diaper?
No. It is meant for time in the water and is not built to hold liquid. Switch to a regular diaper as soon as you are out. The baby diapers and training pants collection has options for the rest of the day.
Does a swim diaper stop every leak?
No diaper can promise that. A swim diaper is designed to contain solids, and a good fit helps it do so, but it is not a watertight seal and it is less reliable with loose stool. If a leak does happen in a shared pool, tell the staff and follow their instructions.
Should I choose disposable or reusable?
Disposable ones need no washing but are thrown out after each use. Reusable ones can be worn many times, but they need rinsing and washing after each swim, and you will want a wet bag to carry them home. Which suits you depends on how often your family swims.
How old does a baby need to be to go in the water?
That is a question for your doctor or public health nurse, and for the pool, which may have its own age rules.
Not sure which size or style to choose? Send us a note through our contact page and we will help you pick. We reply within one business day.