Potty Training & Swimming Pools

When you're potty training your child, you want to adhere to a schedule so your toddler can make it to the potty with ease. However, if the sun's out and you want to cool off, a trip to the pool might be in order, which can throw a kink in your potty-training routine. Taking precautions and understanding the obstacles the pool might present for your potty-training toddler is the key to a fun day of swimming without any accidents.

  1. Challenges

    • One of the keys to successful potty training is routine visits to the potty throughout the day. A trip to the pool can throw your routine off, which can lead to unexpected accidents. Furthermore, your toddler might be comfortable using his own potty, but he will not be familiar with the restrooms at the pool, which can offer additional challenges. While enjoying the pool, your toddler simply might not think to tell you he has to go to the bathroom, which increases the risk for accidents.

    Schedule

    • Maintain your schedule when you're swimming. Incorporate regular trips to the potty during your day at the pool. Keep an eye on the clock, and visit the restrooms around the time your toddler usually goes to the bathroom. At the same time, watch your child as she swims and look for behavioral cues that might tip you off that she needs to use the potty. Regularly ask her if she needs to use the potty, which can help to minimize potential accidents.

    Swim Diapers

    • Use swim diapers if your toddler is not yet fully potty trained. Although swim diapers are not 100 percent effective at keeping feces out of the pool, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, they are a level of protection in case your toddler has an accident. Regularly check your toddler's swim diaper to make sure he has not had an accident. If he has, remove him from the pool immediately, change his diaper away from the water and wash your hands before returning to the pool to minimize the spread of germs in the water.

    Tips

    • Most pools have specific rules for children who are not yet fully potty trained. Contact your pool to find out if it permits swim diapers and, if so, what type -- disposable, reusable or both. Minimize the risk of an accident by keeping your toddler out of the pool if she has diarrhea. You can also reduce accidents by choosing to swim at a time of day when your child usually does not have a bowel movement. Such strategies can make swimming enjoyable not stressful -- for both of you.

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