Managing Leaks with Cloth Nappies

If you are experiencing leaks with your nappies, there may be a number of factors contributing to this.

Please review the information below and contact us with any further questions.

PRE-WASH - have your pre-washed your nappies? We recommend pre-washing 3-4 times before use, however your nappies may continue to increase in absorbancy for up to 6 washes.

WASHING - how are you washing your nappies? We recommend following our washing instructions at all times (see here).

Using too much detergent can create a build up of detergent and oils in the inserts which can effect the absorbancy. We always recommend using a powder detergent rather than a
liquid, and never use fabric softeners, laundry soap and soap flakes (including home made) as these can leave an oily residue on your nappies which will quickly effect the absorbancy.

Always use a reduced amount detergent with your nappies. We recommend using a quarter to a half scoop of detergent to 20-25 nappies (this can be reduced if washing less).

Line drying your nappies in the sun will act as a natural disinfectant and stain remover. This removed the need to use extra detergents, whitners, brightners or fabric softeners.

Also ensure you select a cycle that will allow your nappies to wash with plenty of water. This will allow a thorough clean of your nappies.

STRIP WASHING - how long have you been using your nappies for? Over time, your nappies may get a build up of oils and detergent in the inserts which can effect the absorbancy. Doing a simple strip wash can help them regain their absorbancy. See here for details on how to strip wash your nappies.

However, please keep in mind, if you are washing your nappies with lots of rinse water and the right amount (and type) of detergent you will find that you rarely need to strip wash.

FIT/SIZING - does the sizing of your nappy need to be adjusted? Cloth Nappies should be firm but not tight. If the nappy is leaving any marks on your little ones skin, then the sizing is too small. If there are gaps around the legs and back, then the sizing is too big. Nappies that are too tight and/or too loose can experience leaks.

Always check the fit when baby is on their side as well as their back. Also check the height of the nappy against babies belly button. If the nappy is sitting below the belly button this can lead to leakages at the front, if this the case, simply adjust the size using the snaps at the front of the nappy to make it higher. The waste and legs can be adjusted by tightening the snaps at the top of the nappy. Don't forget, the tabs can overlap for newbies!

CLOTHING - always ensure no clothing is tucked in to the nappy and/or no clothing is touching the bamboo inner layer of the nappy.

You may find that when baby is wearing clothing that is naturally tighter around the legs (such as onsies or bloomers), the material of the clothes will start to absorb the wee once the insert is full. This may appear to be the nappy leaking but it is caused by the tight clothing against the nappy. We recommend sizing up in items such as onsies and bloomers when using Cloth Nappies.

ABSORBANCY - do you have enough absorbancy? As your little one gets bigger, so does the volume of their wee. Similarly the more they drink, the more they will wee! If you find that your little ones nappy is full (it will be quite heavy) after a short period of time, you may need some extra absorbancy. This is where our nappies are fantastic as you can simply add another insert to boost the absorbancy.

LEAKAGES AT NIGHTTIME - do you change your babies nappy at feed time? We always recommend changing babies nappy when feeding during the night - what goes in must come out!

If you are finding that your little one is continuously leaking during the night, you may need extra absorbancy. This can easily be achieved by doubling-up the inserts - simply insert a second insert into the nappy pocket. Always double check the sizing after adding any extra inserts as the sizing may need to be adjusted to account for the additional insert. Also check the fit of the nappy when baby is lying on their tummy.

If you have been through all of this and still experiencing leaks, please contact us and we will help you work it out.