One of the easiest swaps to make is a reusable swimming nappy. If you’re looking to give reusables a try, but are a bit nervous or not sure where to start, then this is such a straightforward swap you’ll be wondering why you didn’t do it sooner. You will start saving money to pay for those expensive baby swimming classes right away.

I first swapped to reusable swim nappies in 2014 when I started Water Babies with my daughter at 4 months old. The cost of a pack of Huggies Little Swimmers was an astronomical £5 in those days (I’m assuming because baby swimming was in high demand pre-pandemic and they were imported).

Being able to wash and re-use a swim nappy just made more sense to me. And saved me a small fortune over the years.

Swim nappies are simply designed to contain solids

Swimming nappies are not supposed to absorb liquid. Otherwise they would become waterlogged and heavy. The idea sometimes needs a bit of effort to get your head around, but if you pick up a “disposable” swimming nappy you’ll soon realise there is nothing really to the padded section, no absorbent gel that you find in Pampers, they are just a few layers that lets water flow through; and that’s enough to do the job intended.

When your baby wees in any swimming nappy whilst in the water, it just gets washed away. And this is normal and fine with today’s levels of chlorine in our pools.

The important thing is that any poo is fully contained, which is why most pools require babies and toddlers to wear a reusable “Happy Nappy” as well. Which holds any accidents.

A quality cloth swimming nappy will do exactly the same job but ten times better. They are generally designed like a set of swimming trunks or bottoms, but made of PUL so they are able to contain solids and liquid, but also fitted with a soft inner lining and stretchy elastics around the waist and groin.

A few more benefits

Here’s a few more plus points if you’re not yet convinced:

• Reusable swim nappies have strong elastics that are designed to keep in any accidents and they do this way better than any disposable. Much less risk of a poonami!

• They are way more robust and you won’t find them tearing apart at the seams as you struggle to fit them onto your little wriggler (why are disposables made so poorly that every other one gets wasted?)

• Neoprene Happy Nappies are only really suitable under 18 months and grow too tight far too quickly.

• Reusable swim nappies are much more adjustable size wise, meaning you can get around 2 years usage. Some come with a draw string at the waist, so you can gradually adjust the size as your baby grows.

• They even come sized from birth, see my Baba & Boo reusable swim nappy in stock, which fits down to 5kg.

• Reusable swimming nappies are way more comfortable for your baby and toddler. They are made from super soft fabric, and the edges are finished with comfort in mind.

• They are so much better when potty training - your child can easily pull them up and down by themselves. Just like pants.

• When you’re on holiday, you only need to take one nappy and not a full pack, saving space in your suitcase.

• They are on hand every time your child gets into the paddling pool. And this is practically every day during the summer now with our recent temperatures the last couple of years. No more wasting a disposable just to get in, get cold, and then come out again after 2 minutes.

• You can either wear them alone or hide them under swimming shorts, a swimming costume, a wet suit or a sun suit. Or you can pair them with a rash vest or tankini top. There are no rules here. Except remember to use a high factor and full spectrum child friendly SPF plus hat in the sun.

• They will last for multiple kids - the one in the photo was bought in 2014. And it’s still in use today!

• Reusable swimming nappies are super cute. All of your mum friends will want one. Trust me.

Practical tips

What if my baby has an accident wearing one I hear you ask? This could happen. But it’s a rarer occurence than you might think. There is something about being in water that seems to help a baby to hold back. I’ve done swimming lessons with 2 babies and I can genuinely say that neither of mine ever did a poo whilst swimming. And that’s 100% true.

If the worst does happen, try to knock the poo off into your nearest toilet, and then put it in a wetbag to deal with when you get home.

I had 2 swim nappies so I always had a spare one. They’re pretty cheap themselves after all. But if you don’t then you can still keep a disposable in the bag just in case. Even if you never have to use it.

Or remember your baby can always wear their neoprene “Happy Nappy” on it’s own, despite what the baby swimming schools say. Yes - I know!

Of if you are a cloth bum mum you can always use a pocket nappy without any inserts. Containment is all you’re looking for here.

Help guides

For more straight forward practical tips on how to switch to reusable nappies, have a read of my further blogs:

• Wash routine

• What about poo?

• How many reusable nappies do you need?

• The importance of having a varied “stash”

• The best ways to heal and prevent nappy rash