As a beginner cloth nappy user, you are more likely to encounter leaks - this is perfectly normal while you get the hang of fitting a nappy and what absorbency you need. Don't get disheartened, it is fixable and this guide will help you figure out whats causing the leak and how to resolve it.
1. Fit is not quite right.
Getting the fit right on a baby who is between newborn and one size - can be the most challenging. The chunkier their legs are the easier it is to get right.
This is the most common cause of leaks - if a nappy is too tight it can cause a leak, and if a nappy is too loose it can cause a leak.
A cloth nappy needs to have a good leg seal with the elastics around the outer thigh area, but be relatively loose around the middle - the middle does not need to be "sealed". The elastic along the back of the nappy should be sealed but not so tight that it is pulling in against their sides or middle.
The best fit description for the tummy area is to think structured denim" - when the baby is lying down you should be able to comfortable fit in two side stacked fingers between their belly and the nappy without causing any pull on the nappy. So that when they sit upright, there is enough room in the nappy at the middle for them to bend.
If you are getting leaks around the leg area consider closing up the snap riser on snap row and losing out the middle instead.
Getting the fit right can also be challenging just before they start to move, to before crawling (6-7 months) - they can be at their very chunkiest at this stage. It is common for a baby at this age to be on the biggest cloth nappy setting - thats ok, as they begin to move they will slim down, and you will likely go back down a size on the snap riser.
Watch out fit demo below:
2. Nappy left on too long.
During the daytime, cloth nappies should be changed every 2.5 - 3.5 hours or as soon as they are soiled. If you are getting a leak after 3-4 hours of use, the nappy is simply full and its time to change. If you are getting a leak before 2 hours of use, then consider our next point.
It is also a good idea to change their nappy just before nap time or before a long car journey.
3. Absorbency in the nappy is not quite right
This is probably the second most common reason for leaking - not having enough absorbency inside the nappy or using lower absorbency material.
What it comes to cloth nappies, it really is "whats on the inside that counts" - the material that the cloth nappy inserts are made from will determine whether the nappy will last for 1-2 hours or 3-4 hours.
Cloth nappy inserts come in a variety of layers and materials - you will see 5 layer long bamboo cotton inserts which can be folded in half to create 10 layers of absorbency. You will also find 2 layer bamboo inserts sold in pairs, which is used together create 4 layers of absorbency. The more layers, the more material is there to soak up pee, the less likely you are to have a leak.
If you are experiencing leaks 1-2 hours after a nappy change and the inserts are soaking wet - then its time to change the absornecy make up of the nappy. See below to help you choose. It is possible to buy inserts made from these individual materials or also inserts which are made from a combination.
| Performance | Material | How should you use it |
|
Microfibre |
Fast Soak up speed but LIGHT FLOW capacity. |
Microfibre works well in a pocket nappy when used with other inserts such as bamboo / cotton or hemp. It can not go directly against the babies skin, it must be topped with a fleece layer. It should form the top layer of absorbency. It does not work well if all the inserts in the nappy are microfibre, this can create a compression leak - similar to a sponge. It has a LIGHT FLOW capacity and must be paired with a regular or heavy flow insert. |
|
Bamboo, Cotton |
Regular soak up speed and REGULAR FLOW capacity. |
Suitable for use in all types of cloth nappies, can go directly against the babies skin. Inserts are available in 2-5 layers, for everyday use 6-8 layers of this material is a trusty non leak solution. Bamboo or cotton does not need to be paired with other inserts for regular use, but can be paired with a microfibre top layer or a hemp bottom layer. If your at the toddler stage - they can do big wee's, bamboo or cotton might not be a fast enough absorber for this situation - pair with a top layer of microfibre to avoid a "flooding" leak. |
| Hemp |
Slow soak up speed but HEAVY FLOW capacity. |
Suitable for use in all types of cloth nappies, but not on its own and must be paired with other insert material which is faster absorbing on top - such as bamboo, cotton or microfibre. Excellent for night time use and available in a fitted nappy. Hemp inserts are generally 55% hemp and 45% cotton. |
Shop a full range of absorbent inserts here.
4. Using a daytime diaper for night time / nap time.
You might read on cloth nappy marketing or literature - "night time" inserts available - for most babies the nappies that are used for daytime (such as pocket nappies or common All in Ones) are not suitable for use overnight. These nappies are designed primarily will the absorbency through the middle section, as the baby is mostly upright during the day. These nappies are designed to be changed every 2.5- 3.5 hours.
Daytime nappies do not contain enough absorbency to last overnight, and even if it was possible to add enough absorbency into the pocket, the nappy would not be easy to get a good or comfortable fit around the baby. Trying to use a daytime nappy overnight will result in leaks.
Opt for a fitted nappy with a waterproof cover for night time and nap time. This type of nappy contains absorbency all around the babies hips so is excellent for tummy or side sleeping. You can also boost this nappy up more easily are nappy wraps are roomier than pockets or all in ones.
Babies who continue to feed overnight can be heavier wetters from 4 months of age right up to 12 months or longer. As they sleep for longer periods or drop a night feed, they will wet slightly less.
5. Using a One Size / BTP nappy on a newborn baby or a newborn nappy on baby over 12 lbs.
This point crosses over with both fit and absorbency. One Size / BTP nappies typically have a fit range of 10 lbs onwards, but every baby is different and this is only a guide. You might find you can't get a good leg seal with a BTP nappy until the baby reaches 12 lbs.
If using newborn nappies, they generally have a fit range of up to 16 lbs, but when you get over 12lbs they can begin to out wet the absorbency in a newborn nappy and becasue they are small in size, it can be difficult to adjust or add additonal absorbency, its often easier to move onto One Size / BTP nappies which will have absorbency better suited to this weight range,
6. Dressing the baby in tight fitting bottoms / tights / vests.
You will find that using cloth nappies will mean you need to size up in certain clothes, particularly in the earlier months. Tighter fitting trousers and tights can cause "wicking", opt for looser or stretchy fit on the bottom. You will find some "cut for cloth" brands that work well.
Vests in particular work better if you size up or use a Vest Extender to give extra room - especially at night.
7. Other less common cloth nappy issues which can cause leaks.
- Nappy material sticking or poking out around the edge and touching clothes which causes moisture to "wick" out. To resolve check for any material sticking out at nappy change.
- Use of fabric softener in the cloth nappy wash causes softener to "build up" in the nappy material and blocks it from absorbing pee as it should resulting in leaks. To resolve stripe wash the nappies and avoid softener going forward
- Use of nappy cream with no fleece liner, nappy cream soaks into the cloth nappy and blocks it from absorbing pee as it should resulting in leaks. To resolve stripe wash the nappies and always make sure nappy cream is well rubbed into the skin and a fleece liner is used in the nappy.
- Drying waterproof parts of cloth nappies on direct heat like a radiator or in a tumble dryer - this can cause the PUL / TPU (coloured outer layer) to warp and crack and create a hole that wetness will seep out of. Inspect the inside of the waterproof layer for any cracks or damage, avoid using direct heat, air drying is preferable.
- General wear, tear and age - over time and use cloth nappies can begin to break down, particularly the leg elastics can become slack or the PUL/TPU can delaminate. If you are using 2nd or even 3rd hand cloth nappies that have been on multiple babies, and you are experiencing leaks, they may have reached the end of their use.
