Cloth Diapers: Leaks

 I have had cloth diapers leak before, 
which usually means I need to adjust a few things...

Here are some simple things you can begin to
 do to prevent and / or help solve leaks.

• Correct Fit

Is your baby wearing the correct size cloth diaper? You want a correct fit or you could have bodily fluids that could leak through, because around the legs are too loose in a cloth diaper that is too big. Or if your baby has a cute plumber's bottom, this could mean he or she is not being covered properly allowing things to escape the cloth diaper. Remember different size brands will fit your baby differently. You will know if that is the case, because your cloth diapers will not be flat against the skin and you will be able to see into your baby's diaper from the side.

• No Over Stuffing

Sometimes to get more absorbency in lasting abilities in our pocket or fitted & covers cloth diapers we over stuff. However, over stuffing our cloth diapers can sometimes lead to them creating gaps between the legs and allowing the urine or stool to exit through the sides rather than being absorbed. You will know if that is the case, because your cloth diapers will not be flat against the skin.

• Fold Correctly

Prefolds can leak due to improper folding. Check that you are folding it correctly.

• Put on Properly

 You want to make sure after your place the diaper on, that the diaper is up all the way and covering the bottom and nothing is sticking up. So if you're using a pocket and your prefold or insert is sticking out of the diaper, when urine travels up that it will also wet your baby's clothing and a bed sheet if your baby is sleeping or playing on one.

• Extra Coverage

Some babies are heavy wetters and require a little more coverage than others during the day and/or night. Adding a doubler (a thin insert that adds more absorbency to the cloth diaper, usually laid on top of diaper) will help add more protection to your cloth diaper. Add protection where you need it, boys more in the front, girls more in the back.

• Frequent Changes

How often are you changing baby vs how often baby's diaper is full. For the first months, cloth diapering my second as a new baby was challenging. Within 2 hours his diaper would be full and the insert or prefold soaked. If I left him in a diaper for 3-4 hours, his diaper would leak, because by 2 hours he had peed some much. It depends too how much your baby urinates and how old. My first (who I started cloth diapering with for the first time at 14 months with) could stay in cloth diapers longer when she was 2, because she had better bladder control. So she could easily be in a cloth diaper every 4-6 hours without too much issue.

• Use a Liner with Diaper Rash Creams

Remember not to use diaper rash cream and cloth diapers without a cloth, fleece or disposable liner. Using traditional diaper rash creams, even cloth diaper safe cloth diaper creams or oils, such as coconut oil, overtime can cause build up in a cloth diaper. Build up in cloth diapers can cause them to leak.  So always use a liner with diaper rash cream so it stays between your baby's skin and the liner. And be careful not too use so much, because too much will end up in the cloth diaper and defeat the purpose of trying not to get in the diaper. 

• Build Up 

a) In your cloth diapers

Build up from laundry detergent can cause your cloth diapers to leak. A way to get rid of buildup in your cloth diapers is to strip them. Links on how to strip your cloth diapers: Stripping Cloth Diapers

b) In your washing machine

Build up from your washing machine, from washing your cloth diapers or other laundry. A way to get rid of build up in your washer is to clean it. Links on how to clean your washer:  Cleaning Your Washer