How Do Swim Diapers Work?

Swimming with the diapered set poses some basic problems for both baby and other swimmers. Swim diapers offer one way to comfort others in the pool, but the diapers aren't a foolproof solution to preventing disease transmitted through feces. Swim diapers incorporate features to help delay the release of fecal residue into the pool water. Due to the basic design of all diapers, however, dangerous micro particles still sneak out into the pool water. A 2009 study conducted by the National Swimming Pool Foundation found that swim diapers were most effective within the first two minutes of a diaper contribution.

  1. Theory and Design

    • The theory behind swim diapers is that they keep baby fecal matter in the diaper instead of allowing it to float free from conventional diapers and into the pool water. Swim diapers come in two designs -- disposable and reusable. The design incorporates a water feature of elastic around the waist and tight elastic around both legs. Baby doesn't feel comfortable with tight elastic binding or with elastic that interferes with general circulation. Loose leg elastic offers comfort, but the elasticity also increases that diapers will release their contents into the water. The design of swim diapers allows urine to flow freely through the diaper materials.

    Problem Potty

    • Baby diarrhea poses the risk Cryptosporidium infections because the swim design allows liquids to flow more freely through the diaper materials, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Crypto germs cause diarrhea, and the outer shell of the germ can live for days in pools --- even with the correct chlorination, the CDC reports. Young children, pregnant women and people immunity problems have more risk from Crypto compared with other swimmers, but the germs can make anyone sick. The CDC recommends keeping children out of swimming pools when diarrhea strikes.

    Best Practices

    • The National Swimming Pool Foundation suggests parents use a combination method to prevent contamination of pool water from baby's diaper. Removing your child from the water for regular bathroom breaks is the best practice to avoid pool accidents. Swim diapers should serve only as a backup in case of accidents. Don't wait until your child signals to go to the bathroom. Check diapers frequently and set regular diaper breaks so children learn to use the facilities, not the swimming pool, as a toilet. A routine also allows parents time to replace a soiled diaper on babies too young to use the bathroom.

    Diaper Dump

    • Proper disposal of disposable swim diapers in plastic garbage bags far from the pool area and thorough cleaning of reusable swim diapers reduces the incident of waterborne and pool deck contamination. The CDC recommends using a clean swim diaper and washing baby with soap and water when changing swim diapers. Avoid allowing wash water to contaminate the pool area when changing baby's diaper.

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