Swim diapers 101.

I love the convenience of taking a couple disposable swim diapers to the pool or lake, knowing I can just throw them away if the little lady does a number two. But swim diapers are really expensive! While we're living in Singapore, Linna and I are pretty much at the pool every day, so I had to figure out some swim diaper options that won't break the bank, and won't leave a mess (you know what kind of a mess I'm talking about) in the pool. Here's three of our favorite options so far...

1. Reusing Disposable Swim Diapers

I did not know this tip/trick until about a month ago, but so many of my mom friends in Singapore do it. Since disposable swim diapers cost about $2 a piece in Singapore, parents will reuse the diaper as long as their child  doesn't do a poo in it. Moms, including myself, will rinse the disposable diapers out after each swim, dry them out in the sun, and reuse them until they basically start falling apart. Some people just throw them in the washer and air dry them, but I just rinse with a little soap and air dry. Call it gross, but I can get at least three more wears out of each swim diaper by using this method. We do have reusable swim diapers, but disposable is just so much easier for all involved when our little ones decide to make a big poo at the pool.

2. Charlie Banana 2-in-1 Swim Diaper & Training Pants

I have loved these reusable swim diapers for Linna ever since the first day she wore them at the pool in Singapore. Linna has three of these diapers, and has worn them at the pool and at the beach since she was 12 months old. At under $15 each, these reusable swim diapers were a great investment, as she's stayed in the same size from 12 months to almost two years old (size L - we bought one size bigger than she was at one year). Charlie Banana 2-in-1 Swim Diaper & Training pants have a waterproof outer layer, and a soft organic cotton interior lining, which is gentle against you child's skin. They do contain a poo when Linna decides to do a number two at the pool, but I will admit that they aren't very fun to clean up afterwards. But then again, cleaning up after a child's poo at the pool isn't fun when they're wearing a disposable swim diaper either. Once you get the poo out of the diaper and off the baby (I usually just put Linna in the shower to rinse off), we just throw the swim diaper in the wash (don't use fabric softener), and hang it out to dry. I love the colors and prints that Charlie Banana offers, and Linna usually ends up wearing only her swim diaper and no swim suit at the pool. We aren't potty training yet, but it's nice to know we can use these swim diapers as training pants as well!

3. Splash About Happy Nappy Swim Costume

For under $25 (USD), I got Linna an adorable pink and orange Happy Nappy Swim Costume last year. We realized that for as much time as we were spending at the pool and beach, we needed another option with a little more coverage. We wanted something that protected Linna's skin from the sun a bit more. This Happy Nappy Swim Costume holds in poop better than ever! I'm always concerned about Linna doing a number 2 in the pool and having it leak out, but NOTHING gets through the Happy Nappy Swim Costume. Although nothing gets out, it's not the easiest to clean up after a number two. But once again, is there ever really an "easy" way?! The suit is made of a stretchy neoprene, and finished with a soft, snug fitting, deep bands of fabric with a high rubber content to keep all poo inside, and NOT in the pool! The suits are about $20 (USD), so you could have the suit shipped to you for about what it would cost to find a cute suit in Minnesota.