Your complete guide to reusable swim diapers, how they compare to disposable swim diapers, and how to pack a cloth diaper bag for the beach, pool, or lake.
There is nothing more fun than a baby's first (or second!) summer. Watching their eyes light up as they splash around at a water table or take their first dip in the pool is pure magic. And for cloth diapering parents, summer is THE best time to show off your baby's cloth diaper covers — who needs shorts when their diaper is this cute? Simply match their top to your favorite Outer and they're ready to go.
In this post, we're covering everything you need to know about reusable swim diapers — how they work, how to use them, and how they compare to disposable swim diapers. Plus, we'll share exactly what to pack in your summer diaper bag so you're ready for the beach, the pool, the lake, or the park sprinklers.
What to Know About Reusable Swim Diapers
What do swim diapers do?
Do Swim Diapers Hold Pee?
Swim diapers are a must for any water adventure — but here's the thing most people don't realize: they're not actually absorbent. Not even a little! Swim diapers are designed to let water (and yes, pee) flow freely in and out. That's not a flaw — it's the whole point. If a swim diaper were absorbent, it would soak up the entire pool and weigh your baby down, which is a real safety hazard.
A reusable cloth swim diaper works by using a snug-fitting, waterproof cover — with no absorbent insert — to contain solid waste while allowing water to pass through freely.
So What Do Swim Diapers Actually Do?
One word: poop. Swim diapers exist to catch solid or pasty poop and keep it from escaping into the water — which is why they're required at most public pools and splash pads. And while disposable versions do exist, we're a little biased: reusable swim diapers are more cost-effective, better at containing messes, and waaaaay cuter.
Unlike disposable swim diapers — which you use once and toss — a reusable swim diaper can be rinsed, washed, and used all season long, making them a smarter choice for your wallet and the environment.
CAN YOU USE A CLOTH DIAPER AS A SWIM DIAPER?
Yes — with one important distinction. You can't use a fully assembled cloth diaper (with an absorbent insert inside) as a swim diaper, because the insert will absorb water and get extremely heavy. However, a waterproof cloth diaper cover — used on its own without an insert — works perfectly as a reusable swim diaper. That's exactly how Esembly Outers work: snap it on without an Inner, and you have a snug, cute, effective swim diaper ready to go.
How to use a reusable swim diaper?
Do Swim Diapers Go Over Regular Diapers?
Nope! Swim diapers replace the regular diaper while your baby is in the water — they don't layer on top. Best practice is simple:
- Keep your baby in their regular diaper right up until you're ready to get in the water
- Swap to the swim diaper right before you go in (for Esembly families: remove the Inner from your Outer diaper cover and use the Outer on its own — that's your swim diaper!)
- The moment you get out, swap back to a fresh regular diaper
Since swim diapers aren't absorbent, they won't catch pee when you're lounging poolside — and trust us, you do not want to learn that lesson the hard way!
And fit-wise, a snug fit at the waist and legs is key, so take a second to adjust before you hop in the water.
How do Esembly reusable swim diapers work?
Here's our favorite thing about Esembly swim diapers: they're not a separate product you have to buy. Our Outer diaper covers double as reusable swim diapers — just remove the cotton Inner and use the Outer on its own. That's it.
This 2-in-1 design means you're not buying single-use disposable swim diapers all season long — better for your wallet and better for the planet. To use, simply snap the Outer onto your baby without an Inner underneath, and make sure you have a snug fit at the legs and waist for the best poop containment.
Esembly Insider Tips
Hang Onto Your Baby's Old Swim Diapers for the Toddler Years
When your baby outgrows their Size 1 Esembly cloth diapers, hang onto a few Size 1 Outer diaper covers and use those as reusable swim diapers. The Size 1 Outers will give your toddler a nice snug swimmi fit.
Bring More Than One
If you're planning to spend a full day at the beach, pool or lake, bring multiple reusable swim diapers with you this way if one gets soiled you have back up.
Try the "Overnighter Hack" for Easier Poolside Changes
Esembly Overnighters make great swim diaper companions. While you're hanging with your baby poolside, instead of using an Inner under your Outer slip an Overnighter inside your Outer/Swim Diaper instead. Then right before you get in the water with your baby, slip your hand in the back and slide the Overnighter out. Some families find this easier than having to unsnap the Outer/Swim Diaper to remove an Inner. Just keep in mind that an Overnighter is not as absorbent as an Inner and if your baby does wet or soil the diaper you may end up with a leak, so proceed with caution if you're not in a location/situation where dealing with that kind of mess is acceptable.
Words of Caution
Swim diapers are a wonderful thing — but there are a few important reminders before you hit the water:
Never Leave Your Baby Unattended In or Near Water
This one goes without saying, but it's worth saying anyway. Even in a safety-approved flotation device, an adult should always have both eyes and a hand on a child in the water. Always.
Swim Diapers Have Limits
Swim diapers — reusable and disposable alike — are designed to contain solid or pasty poop. For newborns with very liquidy poo, or older babies experiencing diarrhea, they'll be much less effective. Use extra caution in public settings if your baby's stomach has been off.
Fit Is Everything
A swim diaper that gaps at the legs or waist is an accident waiting to happen. Always check that you have a snug fit at the waist and legs before getting in the water — and re-check every time you put a fresh one on.
Check Often
Make it a habit to check your baby's swim diaper at least every 15–30 minutes. The sooner you catch a situation, the easier it is to deal with!
Summer Diaper Bag Necessities
When taking your baby out to the beach, pool, lake or sprinkler park expect that you will be traveling home with some very wet/messy items. From sopping swim diapers and bathing suits to sandy beach toys and messy sunblock. Fear not though, we have an assortment of waterproof diaper bags and cloth diaper wet bags to keep everything contained! And guess what, they are super-stylish too so no need to hide them away.
Day Bags and Carryall Bags
Our Day Bags and Carryall Bags are large enough to be used on their own as your primary beach/pool bag. The Day Bag has two separate drawstring compartments so you can keep wet and dry items separate. The Carryall, on the other hand, has one big bucket compartment that you can easily just throw everything into. Our recommendation is to bring one of each! Use a Day Bag to keep your personal belongings, sunblock and swim diapers/bathing suits organized and have a Carryall for sandy beach toys and towels. (Carryall folds up into its own front pocket making it super easy to keep one with you in case you need it in a pinch).
Already have a beach/pool bag you love? Great! Our Ditty Bag Duo is the perfect compliment. These waterproof wet bag pouches are perfect for tossing wet reusable swim diapers and bathing suits in to keep them contained in your large bag. Use one Ditty bag for swim stuff and the other for sunblock, sunglasses and goggles!
Oh and let's not forget the snacks! We don't know a single toddler that can make it through a day at the beach or pool without a bag of cheddar bunnies! Our Snack + Sammy Pouches pair perfectly with our Wet Bags to complete your Summer Diaper Bag look!
Summer Diaper Bag Checklist
- 2-3 Reusable Swim Diapers (aka Outer diaper covers)
- Inners and/or Overnighters for when baby is not in the water
- Wipe Ups and Wipe Up Wash Foamer for cleaning bums and sandy hands
- Snack + Sammy Pouches filled with you and your baby's fav treats
- Sunblock (we are big fans of SunBum and Tubby Todd baby sunblock)
- Sunglasses and/or swim goggles
- Towels for diaper changes and drying wet bodies
- Sun hat (we love Briar Baby's assortment!)
- Phone/camera for capturing cute swim shots!
- Small beach/pool toys to keep baby entertained
- Day Bag, Carryall Bag and/or Ditty Bags to keep everything contained
Time to Have Fun
As you’re gearing up for a summer filled with splashy adventures and sandy toes, we hope these tips and essentials make your outings with your little one even more enjoyable! From mastering the art of reusable swim diapers to packing your diaper bag like a pro, we've got you covered. Don't forget to share your sun-soaked memories with us by tagging @esembly. Here's to a season of endless fun in the sun!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT REUSABLE SWIM DIAPERS
Do swim diapers hold pee? No — swim diapers are not absorbent and are not designed to hold urine. They exist to contain solid waste and keep it out of the water.
Can you use a cloth diaper as a swim diaper? You can use a waterproof cloth diaper cover (without an absorbent insert) as a reusable swim diaper. Never use a fully assembled cloth diaper in water — the absorbent insert will soak up water.
How does a reusable swim diaper work? A reusable swim diaper uses a snug-fitting, waterproof shell to contain solid waste while allowing water to pass freely through the leg and waist openings. No insert means no water absorption.
Reusable vs. disposable swim diapers: what's the difference? Disposable swim diapers are single-use and generate plastic waste. Reusable swim diapers can be washed and reused all season, saving money and reducing environmental impact.
How often should you check a swim diaper? Check your baby's swim diaper every 15–30 minutes, and always check the fit at the legs and waist before getting in the water.
Cloth Diapering 101
Our co-founders host a free, virtual, Cloth Diapering 101 class every month to help cloth-curious parents get all the tools and information they need!
You'll leave with the confidence to Live Less Disposably and a 20% discount code to use on your first order. 🥳 We hope to see you there!
