Pools. Beaches. Sprinklers. Water parks. Splash pads. These are just a few of the ways that you can keep your baby cool this summer, and there are plenty more!
Before you stretch out on the sand, however, it’s important to outfit your baby properly for water activities. This includes a swim diapers, which is very different from a regular diaper, and which is doubly different if you’re using a reusable cloth diaper rather than a cheap and disposal one.
What are reusable swim diapers? How do they work? Even more importantly, where can you find high-quality ones for summertime fun with your baby?
First, let’s look at 8 reusable cloth swim diapers currently on the market, then answer some questions you might have.
I Play by Green Sprouts Snap Reusable Swim Diaper
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If you’re looking for a trusted name in swim diapers, I Play is a bestseller on Amazon with a 4.6/5 rating and more than 11,000 total reviews. Folks just can’t get enough of these cute, retro-style swim bottoms!
There are three layers to each diaper: an internal wicking layer to pull moisture away from delicate baby skin, a middle absorbency layer to prevent leaks, and an outer waterproof layer to stop external moisture from seeping in.
Other benefits of the diapers include side snap buttons and a sun-blocking fabric with a 50+ UPF rating.
If you don’t know where to start with reusable swim diapers, try the most popular name in the game. Thousands of parents have bought, loved, and blogged about I Play Swim Diapers.
Pros
– Available in multiple colors
– Side snaps for easy changing
– Three layers for maximum waterproofing and moisture wicking
– UPF 50+ fabric
– Machine washable
Cons
– Runs small
– Some reviewers report chafing with all-day use
Nageuret Reusable Swim Diaper
The Nageuret Reusable Swim Diaper is another popular name in swim diapers. Not only is it outfitted with multiple snap enclosures on the legs and waist, but its durability and flexibility gives it an adjustable, multi-year fit. It can be worn by your baby from three months to three years old. Now that’s long-term value!
Did we mention that it’s cute as heck? Its patterns include fish, fruit, nautical anchors, and fantastic sea creatures like narwhals. Your little one won’t even need a swimsuit with such a cute and colorful diaper.
Choose the Nageuret Reusable Swim Diaper if you’re looking for something that’s stylish but also budget- and eco-friendly. A truly reusable diaper is one that can be worn for years, and that’s exactly what you get with the Nageuret.
Pros
– Adjustable fit for 8 – 36 pounds (roughly 3 months – 3 years old)
– Multiple layers, including a waterproof layer
– Cute and patterned design
Cons
– Can leak, especially if not adjusted snugly to a growing baby
Charlie Banana Reusable and Washable Swim Diaper
Though it has a plainer look than many of the diapers on this list, you shouldn’t underestimate the Charlie Banana Swim Diaper.
For starters, it’s made with a soft and breathable rayon material that’s easier on baby skin than the harsh, crinkly materials of disposable materials. It also boasts two layers: an internal waterproof liner and a cushy external one with both elastics and drawstrings to prevent leaks.
The last, most important thing about the Charlie Banana Swim Diaper is that it’s reusable, so you can just throw it in the washing machine after a day at the lake. Swimming with your tater tot has never been easier!
Pros
– Multiple layers, including a waterproof liner
– Snaps, elastics, and drawstrings ensure the perfect fit
– Machine washable
Cons
– Plain style
– Can be somewhat absorbent
ALVABABY Multi-Pack Swim Diapers
Adorable right down to the ruffles, these colorfully patterned bottoms prove why ALVABABY is a bestseller in reusable swim diapers.
Each diaper is made with an elastic waist, waterproof exterior lining, and soft lycra bindings around the legs. They’ll keep your baby light and buoyant as they splash, but they’ll also trap messes between sturdy and leak-resistant layers.
The ALVABABY Swim Diapers are also fully adjustable from 0 – 2 years, so even though they come in multi-packs, you won’t have to replace them as your baby grows. The extra bottoms are just a convenience, not a necessity. Pick them based on whether you like pirates, sailboats, or sea creatures more!
Pros
– Cute and colorful prints
– Adjustable, one-size-fits all design
– Comes in packs of two or three
– Money back guarantee
Cons
– 100 percent polyester
– 3 x 3 button lines are easy to get crossed
Splash About Happy Nappy Swim Diaper
If you’re looking for total coverage, the Happy Nappy is your best bet. It has a high back and extended fabric around the thighs to provide complete protection against urine and fecal leaks. It’s also made with a one-millimeter thick neoprene material, which is stronger and more elastic than the polyester blends usually employed by swim diapers.
The Happy Nappy is so great that it’s the diaper of choice for more than 30 swim schools around the country!
The one downside of this diaper is that you’ll need to replace it as your baby grows; it isn’t adjustable at all. However, the full coverage and tight seal provided by its fit is second to none.
Pros
– Made of thick neoprene material
– Full coverage around the waist, legs, and back
– Wide range of sizes
– Assorted colors
Cons
– Not adjustable
Thirsties Reusable Swim Diaper
Say goodbye to leaks. The Thirsties Reusable Swim Diaper is designed with maximum protection in mind, including double leg gussets and hip snap closures to prevent drooping. It’s about as foolproof as you can get with a swim diaper!
Other perks include a soft mesh interior, an adjustable fit, and a breathable design that will prevent rubbing and chafing after long hours of use.
If you’re looking for great reusable swim diapers, put the Thirsties Reusable Swim Diaper on your shortlist. It’ll provide hardcore protection with a soft and gentle product.
Pros
– Leak-proof fit and materials
– Adjustable fit for babies from 8 – 40 pounds
– Cute colors
Cons
– Only one size available
Wegreeco Baby & Toddler Three-Pack Reusable Baby Swim Diapers
Coming in packs of three, the Wegreeco Baby & Toddler Swim Diapers are great for busy, on-the-go parents without the time and energy to fuss over swimwear. Just toss on a diaper and hit the water!
The breathable fabric will keep your little one comfortable. A snug fit will prevent leaks. The diapers are available in multiple sizes depending on your baby’s stage of development, but they’re also equipped with snaps on the front and waistline, so there’s some wiggle room in terms of adjustment.
When the sprinklers are calling, you don’t have time to wait. Choose the Wegreeco Baby & Toddler Swim Diapers and get to splashing.
Pros
– Soft and breathable fabric
– Semi-adjustable fit
– Comes in a three pack
Cons
– Not the most durable
– Occasional leaks
Hudson Baby Unisex Swim Diapers
Is there anything more adorable than seahorses prancing on a background of sea shells? With the Hudson Baby Unisex Swim Diapers, you can make your little one Instagram-ready with no more than a pair of swim bottoms.
Of course, there’s more to these swim diapers than just their cuteness. They’re also made with a nylon/spandex blend that’ll provide a firm fit while remaining well-ventilated. Their UPF 50+ sun protection is a boon, too!
Choose the Hudson Baby Unisex Swim Diapers if you’re looking for equal parts fun and fashionable in your baby’s swimming gear. It’s never too early to become a social star media!
Pros
– Snugly fitting fabric
– Available in multiple colors and patterns
– Comes in a two-pack
– UPF 50+ sun protection
Cons
– Not adjustable
– Somewhat pricey
What is a Reusable Cloth Swim Diaper?
Swim diapers are diapers that can be used in water, including at pools, beaches, water parks, and other splashy places. They’re made in both reusable and disposal form, but since we’re eco-friendly here, we’re only talking about cloth-based reusable swim diapers.
How Do Cloth Swim Diapers Work?
Unlike regular diapers that are designed to absorb liquids, most swim diapers allow liquids to pass through them. In other words, they don’t catch the pee, only poo.
It might sound a bit messy, but it’s a necessary evil: Can you imagine your baby wearing a water-absorbent diaper in a swimming pool? They’d puff up like a penguin the second that they hit the shallow end!
Another thing to note is that reusable swim diapers aren’t the same thing as regular reusable diapers. The latter is usually just cloth while the former is made with multiple layers of waterproofing materials as well as snaps, elastic bands, and other ways of ensuring a tightly sealed fit.
How To Choose Reusable Swim Diapers?
With so many swim diapers on the market, you might feel like you’re drowning in sharks and sea shells patterns. Here are just a few ways to cut through the riff-raff and find the products worth buying.
Styles
Just like regular diapers, swim diapers come in a variety of styles. They can look different, have different fits, and come with different enclosures such as snaps, buttons, and Velcro strips. There are also different designs for different stages of potty training. A full-coverage baby swim diaper won’t look the same as a pullup-style toddler swim diaper.
Materials
Reusable swim diapers can be made from polyester, rayon, neoprene, spandex, polyurethane, and more. They’re often designed with multiple layers or fabric blends that combine materials. If they have liners, the liners are usually made with something different than the softer inner layers.
Elasticity
Some swim diapers come with elastic bands to prevent leaks and hold them in place even if the diaper gets heavy. They’re also common on adjustable, multi-age diapers that are designed to accommodate a growing infant over time.
Adjustability
Are you on a budget? Or do you just hate shopping for diapers? Many swim diapers come with adjustable fits that can be worn over months or even years. Some of the longer-lasting brands can survive your child’s entire infancy!
Sun Protection
Certain types of fabric can offer sun protection. Just like sunscreen, they’re measured in ratings like UPF 30, 40, 50, and so on. Other types of sun protection from swimwear can come in the form of shaded bucket hats and long sleeve onesie-style suits. These can be combined with swim diapers for the highest amount of UVA/UVB protection.
Do you put a diaper under a reusable swim diaper?
Nope, don’t do this! A swim diaper is specifically designed to be non-absorbent; that’s why it doesn’t puff up from the water of a swimming pool. If you put on a regular, absorbent diaper underneath a swim diaper, you’ll just be adding a layer that’ll get heavy and soggy over time.
How to wash cloth swim diapers?
Swim diapers can be washed just like any other cloth diapers. Depending on the fabric, this might mean tossing them in the washing machine, soaking them in the sink, or scrubbing them by hand. It all depends on the brand that you buy.
Here’s more information about how to wash cloth diapers.
Conclusion
Reusable swim diapers can take a lot of stress out of family outings to the beach. They’re cute, easy to use, environmentally friendly, and just as clean as any other kind of swim diaper. Embrace summertime fun with cloth swim diapers for all of your wee ones!