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What Does a Swim Diaper Do?

Keeping your baby comfortable and the water clean

by Coterie Team

Swim diapers are more comfortable for babies not potty-trained because they do not swell and sag when saturated with water. They also play an important public health role by greatly reducing potentially dangerous bacterial contamination from leaking into a pool after an underwater bathroom accident.

Swimming With Your Baby

When taking a dip in a pool or the ocean with your baby, your little one should wear specially designed, reliable swim diapers that keep their bottom securely covered. It’s not just about being considerate of your fellow swimmers–the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends swim diapers for all infants and toddlers who enter swimming facilities to protect against E. coli and other infection-causing bacteria.

Most swim clubs, country clubs, and public swimming spots also have rules about which pools young children can use. Along with designated swim areas, these facilities often have specific requirements about the type of diapers a baby or toddler needs to wear in the water.

Some public and private pools allow disposable or reusable swim diapers. Others may require that a baby wear two types of swim diapers for extra protection. These rules are designed to avoid accidents and keep everyone who uses the pool safe and healthy. Check with management before entering the water if you’re unsure about which rules apply to you.

Why Swim Diapers Are Better in Water

Swim diapers look like regular diapers, but they are not designed to absorb liquid. They are designed to prevent solid messes from entering the water. For this reason, they don’t swell or get super heavy like regular diapers when immersed in water. Regular diapers are uncomfortable when soggy and can’t prevent solid waste from entering a pool.

Using a regular diaper with a swim diaper is not recommended. The weight of a regular diaper overloaded with water could be uncomfortable and dangerous for little ones to wear in a pool.

Coterie recently introduced a stylish, pull-on swim diaper called The Swimsuit. Unlike other swim diapers that can feel plasticky, The Swimsuit has a stretchy waistband made of a soft, breathable material. Reinforced, leak-guard leg cuffs ensure a secure fit and prevent blowouts and floaters.

Be Mindful When Using a Swim Diaper

A swim diaper should fit snugly around your baby’s waist and thighs without leaving a red mark. That said, check your infant’s swim diaper every thirty to sixty minutes. Also, it’s a good idea to ask your newly potty-trained toddler to use the bathroom every thirty to sixty minutes to prevent accidents.

When a swim diaper is soiled, change it as soon as possible. A swim diaper is not designed to hold waste for long periods of time. Change the diaper away from the pool area. Regularly changing swim diapers also helps prevent diaper rash and chafing.

Swim diapers may not be effective with young, breastfed babies who commonly have loose stools. Of course, a child with loose stools should be kept out of the water until they feel better.

When your child is done playing in the water, change them into a regular diaper so they’re properly protected. Coterie diapers are high-performing and extremely soft. They are 70% more absorbent and keep your baby’s skin three times drier than other leading brands.

Keep Your Baby Healthy and Happy

Like our other products, Coterie’s Swimsuit is hypoallergenic, dermatologist-tested, cruelty-free, and made with a plant-based core that won’t swell or sag when wet. The adorable, artist-illustrated designs are also printed with skin-safe inks. None of our diapers contain any materials from animal sources–all of our products are sustainably sourced and free from more than 200 potentially harmful chemicals.

Once a child is fully potty-trained and you’re confident in their ability to get to the bathroom before an accident happens, you can stop using swim diapers. However, if you want some extra piece of mind, swim diapers are available for children up to forty pounds.

The Swimsuit will give you the confidence to bring your child to any pool, beach, backyard sprinkler party, or waterpark adventure. Subscribe with Coterie today to elevate your diapering experience. Diapers are delivered to your doorstep, and you can have your diapering essentials sent automatically with our auto shipping option!

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