The Essential Guide to Reusable Swim Nappies
What Are Swim Nappies and How Do Reusable Swim Nappies Work?
Reusable swim nappies are dedicated nappies your little baby wears when swimming, be it at the beach or in the pool. These reusable nappies work in the same way as a disposable swim nappy, but without the waste going to landfill, or solids leaking into the water!
Please note a swim nappy is only designed to hold solids and wee will escape as there is no absorbency in swim nappies. They do not have absorbency built in as they would simply soak up the water your baby is swimming in and weigh them down. Parents are often disgusted by this little known fact about all swim nappies, be it disposable or reusable. Rather, all swim nappies are designed to catch solids and any good reusable swim nappy we stock will contain every type of poop.
Reusable swim nappies usually have elastic at the leg cuffs to aid containment, and can be used as a two-part nappy system.
What Should I Look For When Buying Reusable Swim Nappies?
Swim nappies are often two-part systems, and many knowledgable swim schools and pools insist on a two-part swim nappy system; this is an internal piece covered with a top layer for extra containment but you may need to enquire if this is the requirement where you and your little one will be swimming. You will also need to make sure you get the right size swim nappy.
Some reusable swim nappies are one-size which simply means they are designed to fit most children and can be adjusted using the rise snaps at the front. Other swim nappies are sized, usually in increments of months or weights just like children's clothing. If you see this just be mindful of how quickly your baby will grow as you don't want to purchase swim nappies only to need a larger size within a few weeks.
How Many Reusable Swim Nappies Will My Baby Need?
If you want to give reusable swim nappies a go, you only need one or two as you can wash and reuse them over and over - that is the beauty of reusables! Most parents typically have two or three in case of poos when at the pool or beach, especially for younger children. If you do have younger children then a two-part nappy system with a separate swim nappy liner is a really sensible choice. For additional peace of mind you should consider using a spare disposable liner in the nappy and simply swap them out in the event of an accident!
How Do I Wash Reusable Swim Nappies?
When it comes to washing your reusable swim nappies it is always important to follow the manufacturers instructions, as is always the case with cloth nappies. You should not use fabric conditioner and it is usually recommended to avoid the use of a tumble dryer for your nappies as this will reduce their lifespan. We recommend picking up a waterproof storage bag, or wet bag, to store your swim nappies and other swimwear in after you've finished in the pool. This bag and the contents can then be opened and tossed into your washing machine, or hand washed, on a low heat with a bio washing powder. You can then hang your swim nappies to dry.
Note that if your baby has worn a swim nappy in a chlorinated pool, try to rinse or wash the nappy as soon as possible.
If your little one does dirty their swim nappy, you can simply pop any solids into the toilet, rinse off if needed, and pop the nappy into wash. Please note that common advice is to flush your disposable liners, but this is untrue. Please dispose of them in your general waste bin after knocking/scraping off any solids.
What is the Best Reusable Swim Nappy?
There isn't one single best nappy. Always consider size, quality, warranty, and manufacturer disclosures (where they're made, the causes they support, quality of materials, etc) when making a purchase decision and we will be glad to answer any questions you may have to help guide you.
The best reusable swim nappy may also differ from child to child, and you may find one that works wonderfully for your three year old but not for your three month old!
In general, the majority of parents opt for a two-part swim nappy system due to the versatility and need to have them for swimming lessons. Add in some disposable liners and you have a perfect system of pool days and beach days. If your little one is a bit older and you are a little more confident there won't be any accidents then a one-part system can be considered.
If you need any further advice just let us know and we'll be thrilled to guide you.
