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The Best Swim Diapers You (and Everyone Else) Will Appreciate

Because no one wants a floater in the pool.
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By Martina Garvey, E-Commerce Editor
Updated May 10, 2019
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Image: Primary
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Diapers are designed to absorb—that’s how they work! But this ability to soak up liquid means a regular diaper is more of a hindrance than a help when it comes to swim sessions with baby. Put one in water, watch it expand and suddenly you’re faced with a major case of bubble butt! (Or just a soggy sack that won’t hold anything in.) Going diaperless is also not an option, unless you want to deal with your kid’s little accident causing a sudden pool evacuation. So what’s the solution? If you’re not familiar, let us introduce you to swim diapers.

Swim diapers are specifically designed for use in water, and won’t inflate as soon as they come into contact with H20. The best swim diapers look like a regular baby bathing suit, but keep solid waste secure so you aren’t faced with an embarrassing mess. The only caveat? Most won’t contain pee (or anything else liquidy—beware). So once baby’s back on land, be sure to switch into a normal diaper again. Note that newborn swim diapers aren’t really a thing, since newborn poop is typically more watery.

Ready to dive in? Here find a breakdown of the different types of swim diapers, key features to look out for and an explanation of how they actually work. Then browse a few of our favorite options available now.

Does Baby Need a Swim Diaper?

Yes, if your little one isn’t potty trained they need to wear a swim diaper in a public pool to prevent poop from entering the water. With that said, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stresses that young infants or children with diarrhea should not enter a pool or public body of water even with a swim diaper, as swim diapers cannot contain loose feces and germs, which may contaminate the water with nasty bugs like cryptosporidium.

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How Do Swim Diapers Work?

Typically, swim diapers have a waterproof outer layer and a snug fit at the waist and legs to prevent solid waste from escaping. And unlike regular diapers with an absorbent core, most swim diapers don’t soak up liquid, meaning that while pee can pass through swim diapers, they won’t become waterlogged and slip off in the pool like a normal diaper would.

It’s important to note that swim diapers are not a substitute for frequent diaper changing and bathroom breaks. The CDC recommends parents check baby’s diaper frequently at a changing facility away from the poolside—and don’t forget to wash your hands afterwards!

Swim Diaper Types

There are two main types of swim diapers: reusable and disposable. Below find a brief description of each type:

  • Disposable swim diapers. If you don’t swim often or can’t be bothered with a reusable option, disposable swim diapers should do the trick. This type is easy to put on and often has tear-away sides so you can remove them with minimal fuss. Plus, they can be tossed in the rec center’s trash bin as you leave the pool. While disposable swim diapers are cheaper, the fit is not as easy to adjust meaning they can be less mess-resistant.
  • Reusable swim diapers. Cut down on waste—well, at least one kind—with reusable swim diapers. Reusable swim diapers tend to be more durable than disposable options and can be washed and reused. Simply flush any solid waste down the drain then toss them in with your next load of laundry. This type is best if you attend a weekly swim class or like to hit the pool on a regular basis. While reusable swim diapers are slightly more expensive, they are often adjustable and offer better cost per wear than their disposable counterparts.

What to Look for in the Best Swim Diapers

Whether you opt for a disposable multipack or a reusable pair, the best swim diapers should have a snug fit and safely contain solid waste. Here are a few other factors to consider when shopping.

  • Adjustable. In order to prevent accidents, it’s a good idea to go for a swim diaper with an adjustable fit. Many reusable options have adjustable snaps or velcro fasteners at the side that can be tightened or loosened as needed.
  • Waterproof outer layer. A waterproof shell will prevent baby’s swim diaper from becoming waterlogged and heavy.
  • Snug fit. Swim diapers essentially act as a barrier that prevents solid poop from slipping out. To that end, it’s important to find a swim diaper with a secure fit at the legs and waistband.

The Best Swim Diapers for Babies and Toddlers

Ready to shop? Browse our picks of the best reusable and disposable swim diapers on the market, so no matter which style you prefer, you’ve got protection.

Best overall swim diaper

Best overall swim diaper
Image: Green Sprouts
What We Love
  • Triple layer protection
  • Easy to fasten side snaps
  • UPF 50+ material
Things To Consider
  • Fit is not adjustable

This Best of Baby award-winning swim diaper checks a lot of boxes. Snug fit? Check. Side snaps? Check. Cute print? Check. But the real standout feature is the patented triple-layer design: A moisture-wicking liner to prevent diaper rash, an absorbent inner layer that won’t puff up or weigh swimmers down and a waterproof outer layer to keep mid-swim messes fully contained. It’s also made from recycled material and is reusable so it’s an eco-friendly option to boot.

Size range: 6M to 4T | Material: Polyurethane and polyester | Type: Reusable

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Best pull-up swim diaper

Best pull-up swim diaper
Image: Primary
Buying Options
Primary|$8.25
What We Love
  • Affordable price point
  • UPF 50+ fabric
  • Slim fit
Things To Consider
  • Pull-up design isn’t adjustable

Pull-up swim diapers are a good option if you don’t want to mess with fiddly fasteners. This pair by Primary comes in a range of summer-ready shades and offers UPF 50+ sun protection. The non-bulky design means you can layer them underneath a swimsuit or over a regular diaper on your way to the pool (just don’t forget to take the regular model off before your little one takes the plunge). Most importantly, stretchy elasticated seams at the legs and waist ensure a secure fit that’ll contain poop while baby splashes about.

Size range: 3M to 3T | Material: Nylon, spandex and polyester | Type: Reusable

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Best disposable swim diaper

Best disposable swim diaper
Image: Walmart
What We Love
  • Perforated sides
  • Stretch waistband
  • Dual leak barriers
Things To Consider
  • Work best when layered underneath a swimsuit

Best disposable swim diaper Pampers Splashers Swim Diapers Of all the disposable swim diapers on offer, Pampers Splashers are the best in class. Why? A super-stretchy waistband and leg cuffs with dual leak-guard barriers guarantee a snug fit. Plus, the pull-on style is easy to get on a wriggly baby and perforated sides means they’re easy to take off, even when sopping wet.

Size range: S to L | Material: Wood fluff pulp, polypropylene and spandex | Type: Disposable

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Best adjustable swim diaper

Best adjustable swim diaper
Image: Amazon
Buying Options
Amazon|$16.97
What We Love
  • Adjustable fit
  • Waterproof outer shell
  • Elasticated legs and waist
Things To Consider
  • Some parents say the sizing runs small

Beau and Belle Eco-Friendly Reusable Baby Swim Diapers Looking for a reusable swim diaper that grows with your child? Check out this clever option by Beau and Belle. Thanks to snap fasteners along the waist and legs, this swim diaper offers three levels of adjustability and fits kids between 8 and 36 pounds. This swim diaper also boasts a waterproof shell and a super-soft mesh lining that won’t rub baby up the wrong way. Once your baby is ready to go up a size, swap this swim diaper out for the larger size, which fits tots up to 45 pounds in weight.

Size range: Diaper size N to 5 | Material: PUL polyester and mesh | Type: Reusable

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Best plant-based disposable swim diaper

Best plant-based disposable swim diaper
Image: Walmart
What We Love
  • Soft material
  • Elasticated cuffs and waist
  • Hypoallergenic
Things To Consider
  • Pull-on style
  • Some parents say the perforations were hard to tear

Like the convenience of disposable swim diapers but want something more sustainable? Hello Bello is here to help. Available in three sizes, Swim Dipes feature a plant-derived fiber core that prevents swelling (so you can say goodbye to bubble butt!). The slim-fit flexes with your child’s body—so it feels more like swimwear than a bulky diaper—but is still snug enough to keep hazardous waste safely under wraps. Advanced leak guards at the legs provide another layer of protection and the quick-tear sides mean pool-side changes are quick and convenient. Oh, and did we mention that these swim diapers are hypoallergenic and free from latex, parabens and phthalates?

Size range: Diaper size 3 to 6 (16 to 40 pounds) | Material: Unknown | Type: Disposable

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Best toddler swim diaper

Best toddler swim diaper
Image: Target
What We Love
  • Adjustable fit
  • Waterproof shell and soft mesh lining
  • Leg gussets help keep dirty messes contained
Things To Consider
  • Hand-wash only

Even potty-trained toddlers have accidents every now and again, so it’s worthwhile using a swim diaper just in case. Thirsties come in three sizes with the largest comfortably accommodating a child up to 55 pounds. Better yet, handy snap fasteners let you adjust the fit and foldover wings prevent the diaper from drooping on the smaller settings. Other features we love include the waterproof shell and signature leg gussets, which prevent poop escaping.

Size range: Diaper sizes 1 to 3 (6 to 55 pounds) | Material: Polyester | Type: Reusable

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Best one-piece with a built-in swim diaper

Best one-piece with a built-in swim diaper
Image: Amazon
What We Love
  • Cute, one-piece design
  • Leg cuffs and snug waste prevent leaks
  • Approved for use by many international swim schools
Things To Consider
  • Tight fit makes it difficult to put on

Last up on our list of the best swim diapers is this innovative bathing suit by Splash About. Yep, that’s right this pretty pink swimsuit has a built-in diaper. Designed to move with your baby as they kick and splash, the neoprene bottom fits snugly on the waist and thighs and a specialist fabric lining creates a secure seal that holds in solids. Meanwhile the top is made from soft and stretchy Lycra with built-in UPF 50+ protection.

Size range: 3m to 3T | Material: Neoprene and Lycra | Type: Reusable

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How We Chose The Best Swim Diapers

Sometimes kids go potty at the most inconvenient times—like during a busy mom and baby swim class for example. So having a reliable swim diaper is a must.

To streamline your decision-making process, our goal is to do the bulk of the research for you, so you don’t have to spend hours scrolling through online retailers. We do this by considering a list of criteria when sourcing products, including ease of use, absorbency, durability and, most importantly, reliability. This way you can count on getting the best bang for your buck, while also having a dependable swim diaper that meets your child’s needs.

To decide which swim diapers are the best on the market, we leveraged our familiarity with leading baby brands to make sure items are from reliable manufacturers. We read user reviews to get the low-down on how these products work for families, and didn’t consider anything with less than an average four-star rating. To understand how swim diapers work and explain the essential features we consulted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) safe swimming guidelines.

Interested in learning more about our editorial process? Read about how our team develops and reviews all articles here.

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