(3-5yo)
Bathing with an Ostomy
Your child can bathe with the pouch on or off. Most pouch materials are water resistant so you may not have to change it after a bath. It is helpful to empty the pouch prior to bath or shower to avoid leaks. Some people find it helpful to frame the wafer edges with waterproof tape or barrier strips. The pouch can be dried afterward with an absorbent towel, or you can use a hair dryer on a low, COOL setting to dry. If your child is bathing with the pouch off, remember to thoroughly rinse them off afterward as some stool could have leaked into the bath water. This is especially true for ileostomies. Some families find that using bath time or showering is helpful to remove the pouch, clean the skin well and then place a new pouch. But this should only occur when the child is due for a pouch change, not with every bath/shower.
Swimming with an Ostomy
Having an ostomy does not mean your child cannot go swimming. Using similar strategies as described for bath time are also helpful for swimming, including emptying the pouch beforehand. Framing the wafer with waterproof tape or elastic barrier strips help to prevent the edges from lifting. Clothing such as a swim shirt or water-resistant shorts can be helpful and can add extra support. There are commercially made “swim bands” or bathing suits designed for ostomates, but these generally are not as widely available for smaller children.
Hope, support, and finding community
Parent Stories
These webpages are funded by a grant from Hollister Incorporated.
Contact Us
United Ostomy Associations of America
P.O. Box 2293
Biddeford, ME 04005-2293
Call us toll-free at: 1-800-826-0826.
Our Information Line hours are Monday-Friday, 9am to 3pm EST. If you have an emergency, please dial 911 or contact your local medical professional.
Please understand that UOAA is a private, nonprofit, advocacy and informational organization. We are not a medical facility and we do not have medical or legal professionals on staff. Therefore, UOAA does not provide Medical, Mental Health, Insurance or Legal Advice. Visit UOAA Virtual Ostomy Clinic provided by The Wound Company for non-emergency, virtual ostomy support.
