I used to think watching a naked toddler run around a swimming pool was cute.
Of course, that was when it was my kid baring it all and not a stranger’s tot trotting around in his birthday suit relieving himself in the same water my family’s swimming in.
Due to the serious nature of wading in a pool contaminated with human stool, it’s vital your toddler be clad properly.
If your toddler is not potty trained you will want to invest in swim diapers before you head to the pool. Regular diapers may fit snugly around his thighs and waist, but they are not waterproof. Consequently, if your child goes number two while swimming, fecal matter may leak out and contaminate the pool. If that happens, the entire pool would have to drained and cleaned.
Human feces in a pool is a big deal, as it might contain the parasite cryptosporidium. The nasty bug can survive in chlorinated pools for more than a week. If consumed, cryptosporidium can cause an upset stomach and diarrhea. However, the consequences can be far more severe for people who have weak immune systems. In addition, other germs can be released when a kid poops in a pool and the gross contaminants can cause skin, ear and respiratory infections.
Even if you place a swim diaper on your toddler, you’re not off the hook. It’s important to check the waterproof diaper regularly, so it doesn’t start leaking while your child is splashing around.
Splishing and splashing is big fun for toddlers; however, it can also be dangerous if you are not monitoring your child and he decides the water looks good enough to drink. If your toddler takes a few gulps of pool water while learning how to swim, you don’t need to be alarmed, but if he downs too much he will likely get sick. To avoid a summer bummer at the pool, make sure your child spits out any water that gets into his mouth. Also, keep a bottle of fresh water on hand, so your tot can have something clean and safe to quench his thirst.