Splash fountains & diapers???

[Lisa0503]

We will be at WDW in 3 weeks Everything I have read tells me to expect it to be HOT in Sept so I am sure my two little ones, DD (2) & DS (1) will want to get wet in the splash fountain areas I have read about... However, the are both in diapers (actually DD is in pull ups...almost fully potty trained but I have not wanted to push her into big girl undies till after we get back from our trip) We will have swim diapers for the pools and I can bring extra to the parks. Should I plan to go to a restroom to change both kids into bathing suits w/swim diapers to play in the fountains? Can I just put a towel around them and change them right there? What is appropriate? I know that the diapers will 'explode' if they get soaked and that would be a mess.... Should I just try to avoid these areas???

What do other families do with the little ones in diapers? How do you handle the splashing fountains?

 

[Hoosier Mom]

I asked the same question a while back. One Mom suggested to me to just let our ds play, then take him to the restroom to change him into dry clothes and a new diaper. Also I will throw his water shoes in my tote bag to wear in these play areas. That way he'll have dry shoes to put back on.

We are going to use the swim diapers at the pools of course.

That's my plan of action for now. I guess we'll see how it goes.

p.s. our trip is in 3 weeks also. Yippee!

 

[bartleby1]

I just let them play in their clothes and then change into dry clothes and a new diaper. Also, I try not to lug too much stuff to the parks with me, so I bring an extra pair of old socks to put on them to play in. My kids usually wear sneakers to the parks so I don't want them wet. I remove their sneakers and socks before they play in the water and put on their old socks that I don't care about. Once they are wet and dirty from playing, I just throw them out.

 

[badblackpug]

I always just let them play "as is" minus shoes, and then took them to the restroom and changed the pamper. I never even bothered to change the clothes because it was soooo hot that their clothes dried on them in a matter of 15 minutes or so, and in a way, helped to keep them cool! Just remember to reapply sunscreen!

 

[mtemm]

thanks for asking this question, I've been wondering about what to do myself.

 

[all4fun]

I always just let them play "as is" minus shoes, and then took them to the restroom and changed the pamper. I never even bothered to change the clothes because it was soooo hot that their clothes dried on them in a matter of 15 minutes or so, and in a way, helped to keep them cool! Just remember to reapply sunscreen!

Just wanted to point out something that happened to us while we were at Disney's California Adventure. They had a huge water play area there. I had removed ds's shoes so they wouldn't get wet and a CM who was monitoring the area informed us that all children must be wearing shoes. I know this might be a California law but it also c/b Disney trying to limit their liability from barefoot kiddo's getting hurt somehow. Anyway just thought I would mention it. You might want to bring some water socks or sandals to change kids into just in case.

 

[badblackpug]

Thanks...didn't know that. Maybe it was just so mobbed last time no one noticed!

 

[FluffyPumpkin78]

I would put them in a swim diaper just for sanitation issues. Every public water playarea I have been to makes you use them. I just quickly change ds into a swimmie, put on his Crocs, spray some sunscreen and off he goes.

 

[SueM in MN]

I would put them in a swim diaper just for sanitation issues. Every public water playarea I have been to makes you use them. I just quickly change ds into a swimmie, put on his Crocs, spray some sunscreen and off he goes.

There have been outbreaks diarrheal illness associated with these kinds of water features (called Interactive fountains) in other places in the past.

Minnesota Zoo in 1997
Beachside park in Daytona Beach in 1999

You can find more by searching for interactive water fountains. The best advice is to put swim diapers (in a bathroom, away from the water), don't let your children have the spray going directly on their backside, and try to keep water out of their mouths.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I think you would be okay. When prepared we would change ours into swim diapers--but we have also been known to let them in for an impromptu splash. The diaper will expand, but should not explode and doesn't really cause a safety hazard (IMHO).

ETA: This is assuming they are playing with a dry diaper to begin with. Them pooping is obvious and they'd be removed immediately anyway.

 

[TikiGoddess]

Last year my 2 & 4 yr old had a blast at Donald's boat. I put a swim diaper on the 2 yr old since he wasn't yet potty trained. I brought a change of underwear, diapers and pants, but didn't think to bring a dry shirts. They get completely soaked on those playgrounds, but have a blast. Dh took them to the bathroom to change while I went and bought them both t-shirts (which coincidentally turned out to be their faves). Whoops, forgot to add that we also brought a small towel along to dry them off with and I'm glad we did. They were much wetter than we thought they'd be.

 

[seachelle]

We change DD into a swim diaper, bathing suit, and water shoes and do all the fountains at the same time. Go from Ariel to Pooh to Donalds boat (not necessarily in that order) . When done we change her back into regular clothes.
Michelle

 

[allyphoe]

I would put them in a swim diaper just for sanitation issues.

A swim diaper is less sanitary than a regular (clean) disposable. Either will contain solids, while a swim diaper is specifically designed to not contain liquids. Most kids who aren't potty trained will pee when wet.

I let my daughter go in the splash fountains fully dressed, including shoes. Her grandpa let her go in with nothing but a diaper and shoes. Now that she's potty-trained, we're going to have to insist on a potty trip before the splash fountain (and she'll want to change into dry clothes after).

Phoebe

 

[kaysmommie]

I would put them in a swim diaper just for sanitation issues. Every public water playarea I have been to makes you use them. I just quickly change ds into a swimmie, put on his Crocs, spray some sunscreen and off he goes.

That's what I plan on doing with DS 2, who isn't potty trained. I packed extra swim diapers just for the water play areas. It is a hassle to change him twice though. He will also where his crocs. The problem with swim diapers is you have to put them on right before or they leak really bad. I triedd to put one on before the beach and it leak all over his clothes. Also did you change at the restrooms or by the water play area. I don't want anyone to freak out and end up on the shocking thread.

 

[kaysmommie]

There have been outbreaks diarrheal illness associated with these kinds of water features (called Interactive fountains) in other places in the past.

Minnesota Zoo in 1997
Beachside park in Daytona Beach in 1999

You can find more by searching for interactive water fountains. The best advice is to put swim diapers (in a bathroom, away from the water), don't let your children have the spray going directly on their backside, and try to keep water out of their mouths.

Oh no! Now I changed my mind and might even skip these area in favor of the Poly pool or misting fan. I don't want my kids to end up sick because some slob didn't chnage their kids poppy diaper.

 

[SueM in MN]

A swim diaper is less sanitary than a regular (clean) disposable. Either will contain solids, while a swim diaper is specifically designed to not contain liquids. Most kids who aren't potty trained will pee when wet.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends using swim diapers when going in those kinds of play fountains.
The urine is not the problem (while gross to think of it going into the water, urine is usually sterile unless the person has a urinary tract infection. The BM (even a small amount that can remain on the body if the child is not cleaned up well after a BM) is a problem and is what swim diapers are made to contain.

 

[all4fun]

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends using swim diapers when going in those kinds of play fountains.
The urine is not the problem (while gross to think of it going into the water, urine is usually sterile unless the person has a urinary tract infection. The BM (even a small amount that can remain on the body if the child is not cleaned up well after a BM) is a problem and is what swim diapers are made to contain.

The CDC also recommend parks that have interactive fountains put in water filters to help prevent people from getting sick. I wonder if Disney thought of that? I know that Disney Cruise line have the first ships that have a water play area for little ones in diapers because they developed a special filtration system to accomodate that. Until they thought of this other cruise lines simply could not allow kids in diapers in the pool at all (because pool water on cruise ships isn't chemically treated and filtered the same way it is on land). It doesn't seem like much of a leap to think they might also have put in filtration systems in the interactive fountains in the parks. Of course I don't know this for certain but I would bet they did.

Still, a good idea for kids to wear diapers. I actually thought the whole point of swim diapers was that they don't expand in water the way regular diapers do. Regular diapers are meant to hold water. I actually forgot to take ds' diaper off before taking him into the pool for swim lessons once. I had put it on under his non-disposable swim diaper for the car ride and I had planned on taking it off in the locker room before entering the pool area but we were late and I forgot. So after the lesson I went to remove it and that thing weighed about 10lbs, lol.

 

[bartleby1]

There have been outbreaks diarrheal illness associated with these kinds of water features (called Interactive fountains) in other places in the past.

Minnesota Zoo in 1997
Beachside park in Daytona Beach in 1999

You can find more by searching for interactive water fountains. The best advice is to put swim diapers (in a bathroom, away from the water), don't let your children have the spray going directly on their backside, and try to keep water out of their mouths.

Thank you for posting this information. I never really thought about this being a potential problem because I just figured the water would be fully sanitized before spitting back out. I'm really grossed out now since my one year old was trying to catch the water in her mouth. I did my best to stop her, but I tried to stop her so she wouldn't drink sanitizing chemicals that I assumed were in it, not because I was worried about it containing poopy germs. YUCK!

 

[dawnball]

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends using swim diapers when going in those kinds of play fountains.
The urine is not the problem (while gross to think of it going into the water, urine is usually sterile unless the person has a urinary tract infection. The BM (even a small amount that can remain on the body if the child is not cleaned up well after a BM) is a problem and is what swim diapers are made to contain.

Actually - from the CDC webpage -
"What do I need to know about swim diapers and pants?
The use of swim diapers and swim pants may give many parents and pool staff a false sense of security regarding fecal contamination. No published scientific information exists on how well they are able to keep feces or infection-causing germs from leaking into the pool. Many pools are now requiring children to be in swim pants or diapers. However, it is unlikely that swim diapers are able to keep diarrheal stools from leaking into the pool. Try and make sure that parents:

Understand the importance of NOT swimming when ill with diarrhea.

Plan regular diaper changing and frequent (approximately every 30 to 60 minutes) trips to the toilet that will further reduce the chance of fecal contamination. This also reduces the amount of urine in the pool that is binding with disinfectant"

Everyone has feces on their bottoms unless they've just scrubbed vigorously with soap and water. The reason that diaper age children are in swim diapers isn't because it prevents the spread of that feces - but because it contains larger solid bowel movements and limits the volume of germs in the water from those larger movements. Urine is an issue not because it's gross but because it limits the effectiveness of the chlorine in killing those bacteria.

 

[SueM in MN]

Actually - from the CDC webpage -
"What do I need to know about swim diapers and pants?
The use of swim diapers and swim pants may give many parents and pool staff a false sense of security regarding fecal contamination. No published scientific information exists on how well they are able to keep feces or infection-causing germs from leaking into the pool. Many pools are now requiring children to be in swim pants or diapers. However, it is unlikely that swim diapers are able to keep diarrheal stools from leaking into the pool. Try and make sure that parents:

Understand the importance of NOT swimming when ill with diarrhea.

Plan regular diaper changing and frequent (approximately every 30 to 60 minutes) trips to the toilet that will further reduce the chance of fecal contamination. This also reduces the amount of urine in the pool that is binding with disinfectant"

Everyone has feces on their bottoms unless they've just scrubbed vigorously with soap and water. The reason that diaper age children are in swim diapers isn't because it prevents the spread of that feces - but because it contains larger solid bowel movements and limits the volume of germs in the water from those larger movements. Urine is an issue not because it's gross but because it limits the effectiveness of the chlorine in killing those bacteria.

I don't disagree with any of those things and didin't contradict them.
The biggest thing is not to swim/ go in the water with diarrhea. Maybe I should have posted that this morning, but I was in a hurry and did not take as much time as I should have to post and should have posted additional/more complete information.

The swim diapers DO help contain stool (not diarrheal stools, no diaper will do that completely) and I agree that it limits the contact of the water with the stool, which should help to decrease the amount of germs getting into the water from the stool. I also agree that they are not a guarantee, but I was trying to support those saying to use swim diapers (which probably do contain stool better) rather than regular diapers.

I did NOT say that urine was an issue because it was gross; I was trying to make the point that germs in the urine are not the problem. It would have been more complete to indicate it interferes with the chemicals (not just chlorine) in the water and I posted links to 2 MMWR articles that did give all the facts (maybe not in a consise way, but everything is in there).

So, I apologize if I did not give a complete story this morning when I was in a hurry.