Pool and beach time with babies and toddlers can certainly get messy. But when your little one has a swim diaper that fits well and keeps messes inside (while also providing sun protection), the drama and fear factors are (mostly) diminished. Read on to see our recommendations for washable, poop-in-the-pool-proof, reusable swim diapers and swim diaper covers that your infants and toddlers can wear again and again.
1. Beau & Belle Littles Swim Diaper Suit
This Colorado startup with adorable prints and patterns is the brainchild of a couple who couldn’t find a good swim diaper-style bathing suit that would grow with their kids. So, they decided to make one! Beau and Belle Littles suits have a genius design, with adjustable snaps that allow you to modify both the waists and inseam lengths of the suits as your little one packs on the pounds and height. The company’s Nageuret Premium Reusable Swim Diaper fits most babies between the ages of one and two months, up to three years. When worn correctly, the suits fit snugly in the creases of your baby’s thighs and keep anything inside from escaping. They come in cute prints, such as flamingos and anchors, and rinse off easily so you can clean up and get back to your beach or pool day.
Related: 4 Best Natural Sunscreens for Babies, According to a Pediatric Dermatologist
2. iPlay Swim Diaper
Parents love that the ever-popular iPlay brand lets you choose from different styles that feature built-in swimsuits covered with swimming trunks for the boys and cute bottoms for the girls. And iPlay’s soft cloth swim diapers are absorbent and have snaps down one side to make them easy to pull on and off. While the sizes won’t grow with your kids, the suits are fairly inexpensive, so you can just upgrade to a new size as your child grows. You’ll find a good range of solid colors and prints for both boys and girls.
3. Apple Cheeks Washable Swim Diaper
Another solid entry in the washable swim diaper world, Apple Cheeks swim diapers makes it a breeze to let your kid go swimming without worrying about a potential accident closing the pool or leaking its way onto the sand. Two different sizes are designed to fit babies between seven and 20 pounds and 18 and 35 pounds, so you’ve got a lot of growing room with each. The design is based off the brand’s popular envelope diaper covers, with two layers of 100-percent polyester mesh that allow liquids to flow through and solids to stay put. The swim diapers have snaps at both the waist and the thigh, so you can adjust them to a perfectly snug, yet comfortable fit.
4. Splash About Happy Nappy Swim Diaper
Crafted from a lightweight favorite that won’t have your baby dragging his or her little bum along the sand during beach playtime, Splash About Happy Nappy is a strong contender in the washable diaper niche. The brand is known for its swim gear, so it’s no surprise they’ve developed a great swim pant, too. The leg cuffs are designed to be leak-proof when worn correctly, and are very efficient at keeping solid messes inside.
Related: Best Bathing Suits for Infants and Toddlers
5. Cressi Babaloo Swim Diaper
Cressi, the Italian wetsuit designer, makes a surprisingly efficient swim diaper. What we really like is how easy-on/easy-off the Cressi Babaloo is—you literally just pull the swim diaper up or pull it down, with elasticized leg bands and a drawstring tie at the waist to keep everything tucked out of sight inside. The fit is similar to a regular diaper, so chances are your infant won’t even notice the difference, and the UV 50+UPF keeps rays at bay around your baby’s most sensitive areas. The low price point makes Cressi’s options appealing, too.
6. Bummis Swimmi Cloth Diapers
Koi fish, anchors and bubbles are among the many adorable patterns Bummis Swimmi Cloth Diapers bring to the table. And once you get past the colorful designs, you’ll be glad to know these washable diapers are up to the ultimate poop-in-the-pool possibility, too. The Montreal-based brand’s diapers feature a trim design, with cloth on the outside and a sandwiched, coated nylon layer that works magic at keeping messes inside. The look is similar to the brand’s wildly popular cloth diapers—with the signature wrap design on the outside—and parents love the fact that all materials used are lead-, phthalate- and BPA-free.
7. Alvababy Washable Swim Diapers
Mermaids, palm trees, sea turtles and sharks are among the many fun motifs that decorate Alvababy’s popular washable swim diapers, designed to grow with your baby from newborn to two years (10 to 40 pounds). It’s a one-size-fits-all scheme that works, with a series of snaps you can use to adjust the size on the leg openings and waist of the diapers. The outer shell is 100-percent waterproof polyester and the inside a polyester mesh that makes clean-ups a cinch. Just adjust to fit your baby’s body and the two of you will be off and swimming in seconds.
8. Babygoal Reusable Swim Diaper
The Babygoal reusable swim diaper does not contain an inner absorbable layer so it won’t fill with water and weigh your baby’s bottom down. This swim diaper is specifically designed to hold solids, making it poop-in-the-pool proof. The elastic around the legs and waist prevents chaffing and the stylish prints will have your baby sporting the best poolside styles. Recommended for ages 0 to 2 years.
9. Huggies Little Swimmers Disposable Swim Diapers
If reusable or washable swim diapers just aren’t for you or your baby, try the Huggies Little Swimmers disposable swim diapers. Available for children up to 32 pounds, these swim diapers are designed not to swell with water and feature leak-proof guards and re-closable side tabs. When you’re done swimming for the day, just throw them away.
What To Do If Your Baby Poops in the Pool
Although these swim diapers should protect your baby, accidents happen. If the situation arises, the first rule of thumb is to remain calm. If you start to panic or yell, it could cause embarrassment to your child, which you don’t want. Instead, take your child out of the pool and calmly tell the lifeguard or another worker at the pool. If it’s not a public pool, gently tell everyone to get out so the poop can be removed and fresh chemicals can be added to filter it out. Otherwise, it’s best to gently tell anyone nearby; otherwise, just tell the person in charge, and they can make an announcement. If you have a bucket or a cup you can use to scoop it out quickly without making a fuss, do so, but you still need to get everyone out of the pool so proper cleanup can take place!
Longtime travel writer and adventurer Terry Ward lives in Florida with her husband and young son and daughter. She’s constantly on the lookout for the next Scandinavia Airlines Kids Fly Free deal to save money on flights to Norway, her favorite place to visit both in the winter (Northern Lights!) and summer (Midnight Sun!). A travel writer since 2001 (read: long before the kids came along), she’s written for such publications as Endless Vacation Magazine, Conde Nast Traveler and Scuba Diving Magazine, among many others. Find Terry on her website, Terry-Ward.com.
Swimwear for the Whole Family
Baby Boy’s Water Park Outfit
Baby Girl’s Water Park Outfit
Women’s/Mom’s Chill Beach Outfit for Summer
Men’s/Dad’s Chill Beach Outfit for Summer
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