Swim Diapers

mother giving kisses to a toddler in a swimming pool

Some research has looked into how well swim diapers and swim pants are able to keep feces (poop) and infection-causing germs from leaking into the pool. Even though swim diapers and swim pants might hold in some solid feces, they are not leak proof. Swim diapers can delay diarrhea-causing germs, like Cryptosporidium, from leaking into the water for a few minutes, but swim diapers do not keep these germs from contaminating the water. No manufacturers claim these products prevent leakage of diarrhea into pools.

All swimmers who are sick with diarrhea—whether they use swim diapers, swim pants, or not—should stay out of the water. Swimmers sick with diarrhea that don’t stay out of the water risk contaminating the pool with poop and germs, which can make others sick.

Swim diapers and swim pants are not a substitute for frequent diaper changing and bathroom breaks. It is recommended that swim diapers and swim pants are checked frequently and changed away from the poolside.

Pool operators should ensure that:

  • All patrons understand the importance of NOT swimming when sick with diarrhea.
  • Caregivers frequently check swim diapers and swim pants (about every 60 minutes), and change them in a diaper-changing area—away from the poolside. This will allow for washing hands after diaper/pants changing and reduce the chance of poop and germ contamination of areas around the pool. It can also reduce the amount of urine in the pool that

To learn more about how you can help stop germs from spreading in the water you and your family and friends swim in, see Steps of Healthy Swimming.

Maas RP, Patch SC, Berkowitz JF, Johnson HD. Determination of the solids retainment effectiveness of disposable swim diapers. J Environ Hlth. 2004;66:16–20.

Amburgey JE, Anderson JB. Disposable swim diaper retention of Cryptosporidium-sized particles on human subjects in a recreational water setting. J Water Hlth. 2011;9:653–658.

Page last reviewed: April 2, 2022