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Even caregivers who have been using cloth since birth ask quite frequently ‘But what do we use in the pool?’ The thought of having a diaper leak at the pool is understandably stressful.
Last summer, Thirsties introduced us to the new Swim Diaper! Naturally, my first instinct was to tear into the box and compare it to every Thirsties product on the shelf.
So, in this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about the Thirsties Swim Diaper:
- Sizing
- Fiber Facts
- Prep and Use
- Fit Features
- Care
Let’s start with sizing.
Choosing a Size
The Thirsties Swim Diaper is similar to the Thirsties Duo Wrap in cut and design. If you have a good idea of which Duo Wrap size fits your baby best, choosing a Swim Diaper size will be easy.
The best way to begin choosing a size for your baby is by having a good idea how much your baby weighs.
Size One: The Size One Swim Diaper is recommended for babies 6-18 lbs
Size Two: If you are approaching the toddler stages, don’t worry. The Size Two Swim Diaper is recommended for babies 18-40 lbs
When compared to the cut of the Duo Wrap, you will notice that the Swim Diaper is cut more narrow and shorter than the Duo Wrap design. This is because the Swim Diaper is designed to be used without absorbency, if you so choose, while the Duo Wrap is designed with the addition of inserts and prefolds in mind. The wings of the Duo Wrap are also wider than the Swim Diaper for the same reason.
The Swim Diaper can also be used over a disposable swim diaper as a waterproof cover, if needed. Remember, if you choose to use your Swim Diaper this way, you should still plan to wash your Swim Diaper with your other cloth diaper laundry.
#ThirstiesTip If you decide to add a disposable swim, make sure to double check that the material of your disposable swim is completely contained inside your Thirsties Swim Diaper to prevent it from absorbing pool water. You can do this easily running your finger around the edges of the leg and waist elastic and tucking any extra material into your cover. This will ensure that there is no absorbent material outside your waterproof TPU and will keep pool water out of your baby’s diaper.
Fiber Facts
The outer shell of the Swim Diaper is 100% Polyester with waterproof TPU laminate and the inner is a 100% Polyester mesh.
What does all that actually mean in the cloth diaper world?
This means that your adorable cloth diaper will contain the dirty messes and let you swim worry free. The inner mesh will make cleaning a breeze and because there are no layers of absorbency attached, drying will be quick and easy.
It also means that prepping your Swim Diaper will be slightly different than your normal cloth diaper prep, so let’s move on to prep and use.
Prep and Use
Because the Swim Diaper doesn’t have the layers upon layers of Thirsties absorbent material, prep is simple. Just give it a wash and dry to make sure it’s clean and you’re ready to go.
Have I ever cheated and grabbed a new swim on the way to the beach with no time to wash and dry?
Yes. BUT, your local Thirsties retailer was at least several stops into your diaper’s journey to your hands, so it’s really best to wash first.
Throw your swim in with your next load of towels, hang it over your vacuum that you forgot was still in the middle of the hall and call it a day. (Or use the giant Lego tower in your living room or that weird lamp your brother-in-law gave you that you can’t get rid of… you do you. You’ll find zero judgement here.)
Fit Features
Getting a good fit on your cloth diapers, no matter the style, is essential. Swim Diapers are no different and there are so many fit features on the Thirsties Swim Diaper that make getting a great fit quick and easy.
Double Gussets: If you are new to Thirsties, you may or may not be familiar with the double gusset design. The Thirsties double gusset can be seen on Duo Wraps, One Size Pockets, Covers and now Swim Diapers.
The double gussets help protect against leaks, which is especially important on pool days.
You never ever want to be the parent at the pool whose baby ruined everyone else’s pool day…
Two Rise Settings: Both sizes feature two rise settings. Although this is the standard for many Thirsties products, I mention it because getting a great fit on a Swim Diaper is so important.
You may be using your swim diaper without any absorbency inside, which will make a less than perfect fit not only obvious, but prone to leaks as well. Two rise settings allow you to adjust your diapers easily as baby grows and get a great fit every time.
#ThirstiesTip Adjust your rise settings first. You will spend less time adjusting your waist snaps to find the perfect fit if you are already starting on the best rise setting for your baby.
Hip Snap
The hip snap feature is new to Thirsties products and helps to prevent wing droop on your Swim Diaper. Sagging diapers are no fun in the pool!
The hip snap was added to the wing in addition to the double waist snap and together, they make fit a breeze. The waist snaps on the swim are also slightly closer together than some of the other styles, like the pocket, allowing for a more exact fit.
#ThirstiesTip Snap your hip snap before your waist snaps when fitting your Swim Diaper. This will allow you to get a more precise fit and ensure your waist elastic is flat across baby’s back.
Care
How do I wash my Thirsties Swim Diaper after our pool day is done?
Throw it in with your normal cloth diaper laundry! Your wash routine may vary depending on your water, washer and your lifestyle. In general, here’s a simple and effective wash routine that will help you keep your swim diaper clean and ready for summer:
- Pre-wash in WARM water
- Wash in HOT water
- Rinse in WARM water
- Hang dry
Remember to dump any solids before adding your Swim Diaper to your diaper laundry and store your diaper laundry in an open diaper pail or wet bag.
What if I accidentally throw my Swim Diaper in with my other pool laundry?
Again, add it to your next load of cloth diaper laundry. You want to ensure that all the chlorine, ammonia and waste is removed from your diaper, so you’ll still need to do your normal cloth diaper routine.
If your swim accidentally takes a trip through your washer with your towels and suits, it’s okay. Just remove it from the load when your cycle is done and add it back to your dirty diaper laundry.
#ThirstiesTip If you are headed to a chlorinated pool, do a quick rinse in the sink before you leave. This will prevent the chlorine smell from lingering and make cleaning even easier. If you have any solids present, take a second of relief to remember that they are in your swim and not in the pool (winning). Then dump the solids and rinse before your swim heads to your wet bag.
#Momrealness
Some aspects of parenting can seem overwhelming. Taking four kids to the beach? If you are doing this on a regular basis, you’re incredible.
The thought of taking all four of them to the grocery store alone is just… I’ll go ahead and pour another cup of coffee just thinking about it. The snacks, the random four jars of Kalamata olives I bought last time because my toddler thought we needed those, it’s always such a hot mess.
Ditching disposable swims and making the switch to cloth swim diapers makes pool days so much easier. Thirsties Swim Diaper has so many great fit features and that double waist snap/hip snap combo? That one might be my favorite.
You can shop Thirsties Swim Diapers at your local retailer or online with Thirsties. For more Thirsties updates and info, you can visit Thirsties on Facebook or join the online community, Thirsties Groupies.
Do you need a new Thirsties Swim Diaper? The official launch of the new Swim Diaper prints, Hala Kahiki and Main Squeeze, is July 5th!
Do you have a favorite fit feature of the new Swim Diaper? Share it with us in the comments or give us your favorite #ThirstiesTip
I LOVE my Thirsties Swim diapers!
This was extremely helpful thank you!
You’re welcome Stacey!
I really like these reusable swim diapers that have snaps rather than pulling on. Having rise adjustments is nice as well, since babies grow so quickly.
This Swim Diaper was so thoughtfully designed. I love the perfect fit too!
This was so helpful! I need to order some!
We are so glad you found some great information here Alexis. You can visit our retailer locator to find your local retailer here: https://www.thirstiesbaby.com/where-to-buy/buy-thirsties-cloth-diapers
What a great read. Love thirsties swim. You can’t beat those double leg gussets. Thank you for making an amazing product!
Very helpful
Thank you Robin! Have you tried a Thirsties Swim Diaper yet?
Very helpful.i think I will order Size 2
We are glad we could help Hollie!
We used our swim diaper this last week at the pool and it was so much fun,and so little hassle. Love them!!
I just found out my babies gender about 3 hours ago. I can’t wait to shop for this kind of stuff now!
Congratulations Ashley!
Yup, i BEG my 5 month old son to ‘go before we go swimming!’ I’m always so worried about accidents and i honestly strongly dislike the prints of the disposable swim diapers. I had no idea you guys had a swim diaper but now that I know, it makes total sense! Such cute new prints for swim too!!
I love the thirsties swim diapers.
When they came in I was so worried about fit because they seem so small but they’re perfect!
The look of the fit is slightly deceiving because we are so used to leaving room for absorbency. However, they really are the perfect fit! Did you snag one of the new Hala Kahiki or Main Squeeze prints?
I’m about to jinx it by saying I’m thankful the 21 mos. old has never pooped in a swim diaper…yet. I love our Beach Party swim diaper!
When it happens, you’ll be thankful for double gussets 🙂
These things sound amazing! I already love cloth swim, so I would love to try Thirsties!
I would love to try one of these swim diapers!
Be sure to let us know what you think when you do Dandi.
Thanks for the great info! I’m looking forward to getting one for lo this summer.
Thanks Rebecca! Have you tried any other Thirsties products with double gussets? They are essential for extra leak protection!
the best swim diapers out there!
What would be the purpose of putting on s disposable swim under the cloth swim? Just double assurance?
Some swim instructors or public pools actually require that baby wears both a disposable diaper and a protective reusable swim diaper as a cover. You may want to check on the regulations of your pool to be sure.
the patterns are just so cute and I love them so much more than the disposable types
Which is your favorite? I am loving Hala Kahiki right now.
I didn’t realize the sizing was the same on swim diapers as duo wraps. That’s super convenient to know, since we’re a duo wrap family!
Really excited. First baby on the way and living in hot California the pool is a must.
Congratulations Tania! Do you plan to cloth diaper as well?
That’s wonderful your swim diapers have double gussets! The ones I have don’t. I guess i do need more swim diapers lol….
The extra leak protection is so needed on pool days! Have you tried any other Thirsties styles with double gussets?
These are so cute, the whales are just too much!
Hi Meaghan! Have you seen the new Tortuga and Palm Paradise swim prints? Or the most recent Hala Kahiki and Main Squeeze release? They are so cute!
What’s the difference between PUL and TPU fabric for outside shell?? And do both materials work for swim purposes? Thanks!
Hi Anita! PUL and TPU are very similar and serve the same functional purpose (so yes, both work). The difference is in the bonding process of the fabric and waterproof layers. PUL is bonded using a chemical process, but TPU is bonded using a heat process. #Thirstiestip This is the reason that you will frequently hear Laura recommend to throw your Duo Wraps in the dryer for about 15 minutes at a time to reseal the waterproof TPU as a way to prevent delamination!
I didn’t realize the wash routine for swim diapers, good to know! I always just washed them with my other swim laundry.
I’m glad you found some useful tips in this article Katie!
This summer is the first time I’ve tried a reusable swim diaper. Brilliant! Way better than the throw-away kind.
We’re so glad you’re loving reusable swim diapers, Stacey! Are you currently using cloth diapers?
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