a photo of mama and baby swimming

The best disposable swim diapers: Is it time to ditch Huggies and Pampers?

So, it’s time for your little one to take a dip in the pool. Apart from an adorable little swimming costume, the most important thing you’ll need is a good – and non-toxic – swim diaper. 

If your little one is an experienced water baby, chances are you’ve already tried Pampers Splashers and Huggies Little Swimmers. 

There’s no doubt that Pampers and Huggies produce effective diapers, but did you know that most of their diapers contain harmful toxins and chemicals, including their swim varieties…

So what are the best alternatives? Do organic disposable swim diapers exist?

Let’s take a closer look at the best organic and non-toxic swim diapers on the market. 

Because your little Michael Phelps deserves the best…

Note: Affiliate links may be used in this post. I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through my affiliate link. Please read my disclosure for more info. All prices and availability are accurate at the time of publishing.

Little toes swim diapers
Best Non-toxic disposable swim diapers

Little Toes produce some of the best diapers on the market, so it’s no surprise that their swim diapers have made the list. Featuring a 360 waistband, your water baby will be free to splish and splash to their heart’s content, while staying protected. And protecting others in the pool, more importantly…

Little Toes swim diapers are completely free of alcohol, chlorine, latex and all other harsh chemicals. Made from soft non-woven material, these diapers are free of fragrances too.

Little Toes swim diapers size chart

SizeWeight
Small13-20lbs
Medium20-30lbs
Large26lbs+

Little Toes swim Diapers Reviews

There aren’t many reviews of Little Toes swim diapers, but the ones I can find are pretty great. Users say they’re super effective and don’t bulk in water. They say they’re flexible and comfortable and it’s great that they’re free of harsh chemicals, unlike some other swim diapers…

Little Toes swim diapers Price*

A 24-pack of size small Little Toes swim diapers will set you back just under 19 bucks, or about 80 cents each. 

And prices for larger sizes are pretty similar. You’ll pay just under 20 bucks for a 24 pack of medium swim diapers, and about 21 bucks for a 24 pack of large swim diapers.

*Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.

the bottom line

Little Toes swim diapers are a great option for water babies. These organic disposable swim diapers don’t bulk, are flexible, and are free of harsh chemicals you’ll find in many other swim diapers. It’s a no-brainer, really.

Hello Bello Swim Diapers
Hypoallergenic Non-Toxic Disposable Diapers

Hello Bello diapers have garnered a cult following. Created by Kristen Bell and her husband, this diaper brand is big on leaving harsh chemicals behind, and not charging the earth.

Their swim diapers feature advanced leak guards, to keep the poop at bay, a comfy fit, a compact core to prevent swelling and quick tear sides.

As expected, Hello Bello swim diapers completely avoid chlorine, phthalates, fragrances, lotions and latex. This is great news for our little splashers’ skin!

Read Next: Hello Bello Diapers Review: A-List Diapers For Your Little One

Hello Bello Swim Diapers Size chart

SizeDiaper size equivalentWeight
Small316-28lbs
Medium4/518-34lbs
Large632-40lbs

Hello Bello Swim Diapers Reviews

Over on Amazon, Hello Bello swim diapers score an average of 4.4 out of 5 in over 40 reviews. Users say they’re effective and comfortable, and it’s great that they avoid harsh chemicals.

Hello Bello Swim Diapers Price

An 18-pack of medium swim diapers on Amazon will set you back just under 9 bucks, or 50 cents each. That’s a really great price, especially for a swim diaper that avoids phthalates, fragrances and lotions.

The bottom line

You can’t go wrong with Hello Bello. These effective, non-toxic disposable swim diapers are great for little ones who are ready to get splashing! And the fact that they’re great value is a bonus too.

Pampers Splashers

If your little one is a seasoned water baby, chances are, you’ve tried Pampers Splashers. And Pampers is one of the most popular diaper brands in the US (and around the world) for a reason. They’re effective.

Their swim diapers don’t swell and your baby – and everyone else in the pool – is protected with their 360 waistband and dual leak-guard barriers. 

But Pampers’ use of chemicals is a cause for concern…

Pampers Splashers are free of elemental chlorine, latex and parabens. But Pampers tells us that they use fragrances ‘at a low level’ in their diapers, which can easily irritate the skin, especially the delicate skin of our little ones. Plus, there’s absolutely no mention of phthalates and lotions. It’s much safer to assume a chemical is used unless a brand specifically states that it isn’t. So this isn’t great news for our little ones.

Phthalates are arguably the biggest issue when it comes to diaper safety. Phthalates have been linked with increased rates of eczema and asthma in little ones, and abnormal genital development in boys. Suffice to say, it’s best to avoid it!

More on this topic: Disposable Diapers: What Are They Made From, And Are They Safe?

Pampers Splashers Size chart

SizeWeight
Small13-24lbs
Medium20-33lbs
Large31-40lbs

Pampers Splashers Reviews

It’s no surprise that Pampers Splashers are averaging 4.8 out of 5 in over 13700 reviews on Amazon. Users say they’re comfortable for their little ones, secure and good value for money.

Pampers Splashers Price

A 20 pack of size S swim diapers will set you back just under 9 bucks, or 45 cents each. That’s on Amazon, but you’re likely to find Pampers Splashers in most grocery stores, both in-store and online – and in smaller stores too.

Bottom line

There’s no denying that Pampers deliver quality diapers. But there’s more to finding a good diaper. With a bunch of horrible chemicals lurking in most Pampers varieties, it’s safer to go elsewhere. 

Huggies Little Swimmers

Like Pampers, Huggies is one of the most popular diaper brands around the world. Their Little Swimmers diapers are the number 1 selling swim pants on the market, and it’s easy to understand why. They have a stretchy waistband, leak guards, easy tear sides and they protect your little one without swelling in water. 

But, like Pampers, they make no promises when it comes to chemicals. And that’s a problem…

Huggies Little Swimmers are free of fragrances. I can’t see anything that says they’re free of phthalates, and that’s the real issue. 

Huggies Little Swimmers Size chart

SizeWeight
Small16-28lbs
Medium22-37lbs
Large>27lbs

Huggies Little Swimmers Reviews

Huggies Little Swimmers are averaging 4.8 out of 5 in over 6000 reviews on Amazon. 87% of these reviews have given the diapers 5 stars, with parents and carers saying they don’t swell in water, they’re a good price and they’re comfy for little ones.

Huggies Little Swimmers Price

A 40 pack of small Little Swimmers diapers on Amazon will set you back just under 21 bucks, or 52 cents each*. A pack of medium diapers work out at 54 cents each, and large at 31 cents each. 

*Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.

Bottom line

Huggies Little Swimmers diapers are the number 1 selling swim diaper. So it’s safe to say they’re effective. They’re slightly better than Pampers Little Splashers on the chemical side of things, because they avoid fragrances (read my in-depth comparison of Splashers and Swimmers here). But there are few of swim diapers out there that avoid all the major – and super toxic – chemicals: Hello Bello and Little Toes, for example!

Disposable swim diaper FAQs

1. How do disposable swim diapers work?

Swim diapers aren’t great at absorbing pee. In fact, they won’t. So if you’re thinking their pee will seep through into the water, you’re right! But it’s the poop we really need to be careful with. And that’s what swim diapers are designed to do. They do a good job – mostly – of keeping the poop where it should be: inside the diaper!

You can buy reusable swim diapers, which can be washed and reused over and over again. And disposable diapers are just that – disposable. They go in the trash when they’ve been used.

Read Next: What Are The Best Reusable Swim Diapers On The Market?

2. How to use disposable swim diapers?

Swim diapers will either have a 360 waistband or sticky side tabs – like regular diapers, really. You don’t need to put a regular diaper on first; just use the swim diaper. Pop your little one’s swimming trunks or costume over the swim diaper, and you’re good to go!

If your baby poops in the swim diaper, remove it into a toilet before putting it in the trash.

Related Read: How To Dispose Of Diapers: The Proper Method Hardly Any Of Us Are Using!

3. Where to buy disposable swim diapers

You can buy disposable swim diapers at major retailers like Walmart, Target, Buybuy Baby and CVS. You can buy them online at Amazon, and you might even find some swim diapers at smaller grocery stores.

Disposable vs reusable swim diapers

Disposable swim diapers are super convenient. Once you’re done, just throw them away. But if you’re looking to make more eco-conscious choices, a reusable swim diaper might be a good choice. 

They’re pretty good value too.

This reusable swim diaper by Nageuret comes in at just under 17 bucks. Compare that with the cost of swim diapers – typically 50 cents+ each – and that’s not a bad price, especially if you consider that this reusable swim diaper will see your little one through from small baby to toddler!

You do have to factor in the cost of washing and drying them! But they’re still a great investment, especially if you’re going to be swimming regularly with your little one.

Read more about my top reusable swim diapers here!

Read Next: What Are The Best Reusable Swim Diapers On The Market?

Do non-toxic disposable swim diapers exist?

Huggies Little Swimmers and Pampers Little Splashers are still dominating the swim diaper market. But some new players are offering the same effective swim pants, just without the harsh chemicals. 

Luckily, non-toxic swim diapers exist. And they’re ready and waiting to be by your side at every pool visit, every beach day and every adorable baby swimming lesson.

Whether you choose Little Toes or Hello Bello, you’ll be choosing a diaper that’s healthy for your little one. And that’s good news for everyone.

All that’s left to do is get splashing…

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