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Family Vacations, family vacations with kids,travel with kids,family tours & All-Inclusive Family Resorts - Vacationkids
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Swim diapers are a major point of discussion when planning a family vacation with a baby. Parents need to be informed not only for the comfort and safety of themselves and their children but also for the health and safety of others. I will apologize in advance because the topic of this discussion can be rather gross and not one most happy vacationers want to hear. I will do my best to put on my pediatric nurse cap and be as delicate as I can about this topic.
Just in case you've been living in the dark ages, a swim diaper is a disposable diaper made from a special material the will supposedly absorb poop and pee but will not swell up with pool water while your baby or toddler is swimming. Of course there are also old school renditions of swim diapers which can be a new specially designed swimsuit to a cloth diaper and rubber pants. According to the Center for Disease Control any swim diaper offer a false sense of security because they can leak. Urine is not really the issue. It surprises many people to learn that urine from a healthy person is sterile and germ free. The problem is poop. Fecal material contains many germs that can cause illness...Ecoli, guardia and particularly Cryptosporidium which is a chlorine resistant parasite that can cause diarrhea. If you're baby or toddler enters a public pool with a leaky, poopy diaper then your child and everyone else is at risk.
Parents vacationing with babies and toddlers rules differ at water parks, resorts and on cruise ships about the use of swim diapers. There are many reasons for this. Some countries have different healthy and safety rules. Much depends on the specific filtration system. If the facility has several pools all serviced by one large filter, then one poopy diaper could mean complete closure for cleaning resulting in large water, chemical and operational losses. Some resorts and cruise lines have limited this liability by offering baby and toddler pools or splash zones. These are smaller pools with a separate filter that can be cleaned much easier without effecting a large majority of guests.
It is important that parents ask and understand the house rules whenever they visit a public swimming pool, water park, resort or cruise ship with their children. Even though you understand the importance of these issues and abide by the rules, unfortunately the same isn't true for everyone. Especially when vacationing abroad, cultural and language differences may mean that your family will encounter other families that allow their babies to swim with regular diapers or even naked. So how do you enjoy your own family vacation time while protecting your family's health and safety? Here are a few tips...
- Make sure you know in advance whether or not a specific facility will allow swim diapers and pack accordingly. When planning your vacation, work Vacationkids Family Vacation Expert to find vacation options with baby friendly pools
-Supervise your child at all times while swimming
-If your child is allowed to use swim diapers be sure you check frequently to see if a change is necessary.
-Change any diapers in a designated bathroom area and not pool side as this can also facilitate the spread of germs.
-Use proper hand washing techniques after all diaper changes.
-Discourage children from taking any pool water into their mouth.
-If your baby or toddler shows any signs of diarrhea or illness, especially while on vacation,
keep them far away from any public pool areas until you see a doctor.
Splash zones are a generally a better option for babies and toddlers. Little ones can enjoy lots of wet and wild fun. Diapers are not submerged in pool water which does help to limit the spread of germs. Some families may also be dealing with health and safety issues like chronic medial conditions, a suppressed immune system or even pregnancy. If this is the case or if you are simply a germaphobe, one option is to bring along a small, inflatable swimming pool on your vacation. This way your baby can splash and stay cool while you enjoy a bit more peace of mind.
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Family Vacations, family vacations with kids,travel with kids,family tours & All-Inclusive Family Resorts - Vacationkids
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