swimming with a baby?

[SamanthaL]

My son will be 1 1/2 when we take our October trip. In our pool I use the swimming diapers. Will they allow Luke in the pools at WDW in those diapers or is he unable to go for a swim? I hope he can. I would hate to have to tell him no, especially at TL. He loves the water.

 

[Jenn Lynn]

Any child who is not potty trained can wear swim diapers and go swimming in the pool.

 

[SamanthaL]

WHEW!! Could you see that scene. He is such a happy little guy but imagine the tantrum that would cause. Earthshattering! Thanks!

 

[castlegazer]

Yup - you will be fine. My son went into WDW pools with swimmies on when he was one and again when he was two. No problems.

 

[Disney Doll]

I've seen infants younger than that in the pools at WDW. They have to have the swimming diapers. I actually think they sell the swimming diapers at the resorts at either the gift shops or, if your resort has one, the poolside shop.

 

[RachelEllen]

I hate to be a wet blanket, but I'd ask anyone considering using swim diapers to please give it a second thought. If the resorts allow them (and I don't know one way or another), it's based on what guests want, rather than science. Swim diapers may contain enough fecal matter so that no visable leaks happen, but they still allow significant leakage. I personally wouldn't want to swim in a pool that anyone nonpotty trained had been in, swim diaper or no.

If the kid has any sort of loose stool, currently or within the past several weeks, please keep them out of the pool. Otherwise, if you really feel strongly about going in, please wash the kid before coming in and change the diapers frequently. Imagine that the diaper is just cosmetic and the poop is still leaking into the pool. If the child is too small not to swallow water, try to keep their face out of the water too.

It's really quite serious, kids have died from pool related bacterial spread from feces. If you consider undercooked meat enough of a risk to avoid, consider pools that have poopy kids in them about the same level of risk.

Rachel

 

[DawnCt1]

Originally posted by RachelEllen
I hate to be a wet blanket, but I'd ask anyone considering using swim diapers to please give it a second thought. If the resorts allow them (and I don't know one way or another), it's based on what guests want, rather than science. Swim diapers may contain enough fecal matter so that no visable leaks happen, but they still allow significant leakage. I personally wouldn't want to swim in a pool that anyone nonpotty trained had been in, swim diaper or no.

If the kid has any sort of loose stool, currently or within the past several weeks, please keep them out of the pool. Otherwise, if you really feel strongly about going in, please wash the kid before coming in and change the diapers frequently. Imagine that the diaper is just cosmetic and the poop is still leaking into the pool. If the child is too small not to swallow water, try to keep their face out of the water too.

It's really quite serious, kids have died from pool related bacterial spread from feces. If you consider undercooked meat enough of a risk to avoid, consider pools that have poopy kids in them about the same level of risk.

Rachel

THANK YOU RACHEL!!! My first thought when I saw the question was "I hope not!".

 

[dcgrumpy]

Yes, babies are allowed in the pools and water parks w/ swimmie diapers

 

[minniepumpernickel]

my gym pool has a mommy and baby class, where the babies kind of learn how to float! It's so cute watching all of the babies get used to being in water!

 

[aprilgail2]

I know on the Disney cruise non potty trained kids are NOT allowed in the pools due to the spread of germs and such from them. The swim diapers do not hold in bacteria and things from kids stool that go in their swim diapers. E-Coli and other diseases are spread that way!

 

[minniepumpernickel]

Thats strange because you would think that if the chlorine is monitered properly than it would kill evrything. Weren't those cases of ecoli from pools that weren't maintained properly?

I always see my lifeguards checking the levels every hour. (Not trying to start a debate or anything, heaven forbid)

 

[SamanthaL]

Originally posted by minniepumpernickel
Thats strange because you would think that if the chlorine is monitered properly than it would kill evrything. Weren't those cases of ecoli from pools that weren't maintained properly?

I always see my lifeguards checking the levels every hour. (Not trying to start a debate or anything, heaven forbid)

Yes, we monitor our chemical level constantly. If the testing is done and the levels maintained then bacteria isn't a problem. If it isn't, bacteria from anything and anyone is a problem, not just from babies' diapers. The ducks that enter the pool is one example. I have noticed the lifeguards testing and I have faith that Disney is taking the proper precautions.

 

[jrydberg]

The stipulation onboard the Disney cruise ships is not a Disney policy, but a US Public Health Service requirement (according to the DCL website). I'm guessing that applies to cruise ships going to US ports.

 

[DawnCt1]

Originally posted by minniepumpernickel
Thats strange because you would think that if the chlorine is monitered properly than it would kill evrything. Weren't those cases of ecoli from pools that weren't maintained properly?

I always see my lifeguards checking the levels every hour. (Not trying to start a debate or anything, heaven forbid)

Bleach at full strength kills organisms within seconds. A 10% bleach solution can kill tuberculin bacillis over 20 minutes. The concentration of pool chlorine in no way approaches those levels so e colli could be in circulation for a considerable amount of time before the pool chlorine kills the organism. I do not think it is reasonable to have diapers in a pool.

 

[tiggersmom2]

I took my 20 month old in the pool with swimmies and saw everyone else doing it also. I just wanted to add - that my son is on a poop schedule (unless of course he is sick and then we WOULD NOT get in the pool). I think most toddlers are. I know after he eats breakfast and lunch he is going to go. We schedule our pool visits AFTER a really good poop and a really good bath!

 

[RachelEllen]

Originally posted by SamanthaL
Yes, we monitor our chemical level constantly. If the testing is done and the levels maintained then bacteria isn't a problem. If it isn't, bacteria from anything and anyone is a problem, not just from babies' diapers. The ducks that enter the pool is one example. I have noticed the lifeguards testing and I have faith that Disney is taking the proper precautions.

Luckily E Coli is killed within minutes by properly maintained chlorine. But the chlorine has to be at proper levels and kids near the pooper could still get a nice dose if they are spashing around. Many bugs are less resistant. Hepatitis can last for about a half hour. Cryptosporidium can live days at even properly maintained chlorine levels.

I've got nothing against babies, btw. No one should be pooping in the pool

I just don't want people to think that swim diapers make any sort of difference. I think they give people a false sense of security.


Rachel