Summertime is in full swing and that means lots of trips to the pool, beach, or local body of water!
While most parents will be packing their sunscreen, towels, and snacks, they often forget one essential item - swim diapers! Which, beyond being super trendy among folks, are more comfortable and safer for your little bum
So, if you have a little (or bigger) one gearing up to take a dip this summer, make sure you read our tips on how to make swim diapering as easy (and fun!) as possible. Trust us, with these tricks up your sleeve, you'll be ready for anything the swimming season throws your way!
First things first: How do swim diapers work?
Swim diapers are designed to contain solid waste *aka poop* and prevent it from entering the water. They are made to be quick-drying and comfortable for your child to wear. Additionally, swim diapers come in a variety of styles and sizes so you can find the perfect fit even if your child is 5 years or older.
There are two types of swim diapers: disposable and reusable. Disposable swim diapers are easy to use and must be thrown away after each use. On the other hand, reusable swim diapers require a bit more maintenance, but they are more environmentally friendly and can save you money in the long run.
All in all, choosing the best swim diaper depends on how many times you are planning to go to the pool with your kiddo. Why? Because if you are not a fan of water and won’t go anywhere near it regularly, you can totally go for a disposable swim diaper. However, if you want to enroll your little one in swim lessons, then a reusable swim diaper will be your best option.
3 Life-Saving Tips On Swim Diapering For 5 Years Old’s & Up
Your kid is 5 years old and still hasn’t passed the potty training? It doesn’t matter! With swim diapers, you won’t have to let your older kiddos miss out on the fun of swimming this summer!
Here are some life-saving tips to protect your children without thinking too much about diaper changes:
1. Choose the right swim diaper for your child
The type and size of swim diapers you need to buy will depend on the weight and size of your child. There are many different types of nappies, but all have one common goal: keep the poop in.
As mentioned before, you can choose disposable diapers if you are a busy mommy that doesn’t have time to wash a swim diaper or just doesn’t go to the pool on regular basis.
On the contrary, if you are one of those swim diaper moms, getting a reusable swim diaper *or many to match them with your kid’s swimsuit* can not only save you from the headache of buying disposable swim diapers regularly but also they are environmentally safe and won’t generate more waste.
Choosing the right swim diaper depends on you and your kiddo’s needs, just remember not to let them inside a pool with a regular diaper! This can cause a nasty accident that you won’t want to experience.
2. Use a swim diaper cover on top
Some parents may believe that it is okay to dive with their kids wearing regular diapers while they are protected by a swim diaper cover on top, but this is not true. While a cover is a cloth or disposable waterproof material, that doesn’t mean it will keep normal diapers safe.
You can totally combine a swim diaper with a diaper cover as an extra layer of protection, but a cover alone won’t do much for a regular diaper.
This extra cover is not really necessary, since reusable diapers have straps to adjust around waist and tummy and won’t allow any leaks, but people like to add covers over nappies.
3. Wear a swimsuit over swim diapers
One thing you may not know is that swim diapers can be combined with swimsuits for many reasons: first, the aesthetic *because some moms love fashion and we totally support them*, and second to add another layer of protection when the kiddo is wearing disposable nappies.
On the other hand, and if you don’t want your children to wear swimsuits, you can find reusable swim diapers with many patterns and styles!
Let’s have the dirty talk: Poop!
Even though many parents think that swim diapers hold urine, this is a big misconception. In fact, they are meant to keep fecal matter from entering the pool because, when kids are not potty trained, they could do “number two” almost everywhere, and no one wants to see a little something floating around public pools.
But what happens with diarrhea? Or, how much poop can a new swim diaper hold without making a big mess?
Let’s get our hands dirty *not literally*!
How many times a day do 5 year olds actually poop?
A five-year-old may poop once, twice, or even three times a day *a lot, right?*. It really depends on their diet and how active they are.
Swim diapers vs. diarrhea
Even if your kid is not a breastfed baby with almost liquid poop, 5 years old can still suffer from diarrhea. And, if you are still wondering if swim diapers can hold all that… Well, they can’t.
It is true that reusable swim diapers can hold almost-liquid poop when they are fabricated with quality cloth, however, this doesn’t mean you can leave your kid to run around the pool with diarrhea.
And yes, we know that sometimes this condition comes out of nowhere, but the best you can do is get your bum out of the pool ASAP. Children with diarrhea are almost always prohibited from being in the pool. Diarrhea means they may not be feeling well and need to be hydrated or resting.
Again, if your child is experiencing diarrhea, please do not let them go swimming.
How do you clean a pooped reusable swim diaper?
Washing a swim diaper doesn’t have to be a nightmare! Here are our 5 easy steps to wash a swim diaper and not die trying:
- Rinse off the reusable swim diaper as soon as possible after use. This will help to get rid of most of the solids *aka poop* and make them easier to clean.
- Fill your sink or a bucket with cool water and add a little detergent. Swish the water around to create suds.
Important: avoid hot water at all costs!
- Soak the swim diaper in the suds for about 15 minutes.
- Gently rub the soiled areas with your fingers.
- Rinse off the swim diaper under cool running water. Squeeze out any excess water before hanging to dry.
Some parents prefer to also sundry their swim diapers, as this can help to disinfect them. This is because UV rays act as a natural disinfectant, helping to destroy harmful bacteria and microorganisms, that’s why it is better to sun dry your swim diapers
FAQ’s: Everything you actually need to know about swim diapers
The swim diapering techniques may do wonders for you and your little swimmers, however, we know you are still worried about some things: can a 5 years old really use a swim diaper? Which type is the best for them? Can they get a diaper rash? Let’s unwrap this:
1. Swim diapers for older child: do they really exist?
Just like a regular diaper, swim diapers- no matter if you go for reusable diapers or disposable swim diapers- are for everyone, including older children.
In fact, there are many different types of swim diapers on the market today. You will want to choose one that is closest to your child's size and fits snugly.
2. What type of swim diapers should I use?
A five-year-old can use disposable swim diapers or reusable swim diapers, but that depends on you.
All swim diapers work the same, however, if you go to public pools regularly and your child poops a lot, it is better to go for reusable swim diapers since they are more economical in the long run. Additionally, if your kiddo goes to swim lessons, they may ask you to buy swim diapers, so it is better to have them.
On the other hand, if you don’t go to pools as often or just don’t want to clean soaked poop, you can totally go for a disposable swim diaper without feeling guilty.
Finally, if your kiddo can go to the bathroom alone, they can also use regular underwear in the pool. We do not recommend using training pants or pull-ups in the pool as they will fill up with water and become heavy.
3. How do I put a swim diaper on my five-year-old?
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First, put the swim diaper on your child. It should fit snugly but not be too tight. If it's too tight, it will be uncomfortable and could also cause health problems. In this sense, most swim diapers are adjustable, some have Velcro straps while other swim diapers have snaps, so you just have to make sure the swim diaper is snug against your child's body and no poop can escape.
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As an extra step, some parents like to use a waterproof adhesive to attach the swim diaper to their child's bathing suit. This adhesive can be found at most sporting goods stores or online.
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Now you just need to check the swim diaper every few hours to ensure that it isn’t full yet!
4. Do swim diapers hold urine?
Something you can’t forget is that swim diapers, unlike regular diapers, don’t hold pee! It doesn’t matter if they are reusable swim diapers or disposable swim diapers, none of them can absorb urine.
This means that, when your kid pees, the urine goes right through the swim diaper and into the pool. Meanwhile, when your baby poops, the diaper holds it and doesn’t let it go out *thanks, God*
5. What do I do if my child poops in the pool?
Accidents happen and swim diapers are not mighty enough to hold all the poop in the world!
If your child poops in the pool, you will need to take them out of the water and clean them up immediately. Now, if your kiddo used a disposable swim diaper, throw it away and use a new one. On the contrary, if your kid had a reusable swim diaper on, just wash the nappy and put it on again.
Or refresh with the spare swim diaper you brought!
If your kid has diarrhea, you will need to take them out of the pool immediately, inform the authorities, and call your doctor. Diarrhea can contain bacteria that can cause illness if swallowed while swimming.
6. Can 5-years-old use the same swim diapers as breastfed babies?
Just like regular diapers, swim diapers come in different sizes that can fit any kid. So a 5-years-old could use the same model as a breastfed baby, but with a different size.
7. Can my kiddo use a regular diaper in the pool instead of disposable or reusable diapers?
While you can use a regular nappy in the pool, it is not ideal. The absorbency of a regular diaper will likely be too much for the pool water and it will end up becoming heavy and soggy.
Reusable swim diapers and disposable swim diapers are specifically designed to be lightweight and quick-drying, which makes them perfect for swimming. Plus, they’re made to prevent leaks, so you can rest assured that nothing solid will go out of the nappy
If you do choose to use a regular nappy in the pool, we recommend using a swim diaper cover as an extra layer of protection.
Reusable swim diapers for all sizes: Where to find them?
So, there you have it! Every swim diapering trick in the book of 5-years and older kiddos!
Are you feeling prepared to take on the swimming pool this summer? Remember, practice makes perfect, so be sure to get in plenty of water time before your big trip.
And if you’re looking for the best reusable swim diapers that will keep your little one safe and comfortable, we’ve got you covered.
Visit our shop today to find the perfect reusable swim diapers for your kiddies. Thanks for following along and happy swimming!