Cloth Nappies at Bumpy Buns

So you've got a leaking nappy! There could be a few reasons for this.
Try to work out which reason applies to you and try the solution.

THE NAPPY HAS NOT BEEN 'WASHED IN'

Solution:
All cloth nappies should be washed prior to use. New fabrics tend to
REPEL liquid rather than absorb it. Have you ever used a brand new
towel that hasn't been washed? If so, then you should know exactly
what this means. Hemp in particular, can take up to 10 washes before
it reaches it's maximum absorbency! If you can wash your nappies at
least 2 or 3 times before using them, that should be sufficient. There is
no need to dry them in between. It is a good idea to wash ANY clothing
before putting it on your baby in case there is anything 'left over' from
the making process.

THE NAPPY IS TOO BIG OR TOO SMALL
Applies to cloth & disposable nappy users

Solution:
You can tell if a nappy is too big by sticking your finger between the
elastic and the baby. You should be able to easily stick your finger in
there but the nappy should sit back firm against the babies skin when
your finger is removed. The nappy is too small if there are red marks on
your babies skin when you remove the nappy or if you just look at your
baby and it just doesn't look right.
Firstly, take note of the sellers recommended sizing. Presumably you
would have already done this before purchasing the nappy. Remember
that each baby is built differently so even though your baby might be
wearing the correct recommended size, use your own common sense.
Try the size up or the size down (whichever is appropriate). Most
sellers will exchange a nappy that has not been used or washed. So
when you try the nappy on the baby, put a face washer or nappy liner
in the nappy first.

CLOTHING IS MAKING CONTACT WITH THE ABSORBENT PART OF THE
NAPPY Applies to cloth & disposable nappy users

Solution:
A singlet, tight pants or other clothing may sneak inside a nappy. It
only takes the tiniest bit of contact with clothing to wet an entire set of
clothing or bed!
This is because the wetness travels through the material. Remember
that cloth nappies are bulkier than disposables yet baby clothes are
designed for disposables. When you are buying pants for your cloth
using baby, be sure to purchase the next size up. Smaller pants can be
prone to leaks.
For a dry bed at night, nothing beats wearing polar fleece. Polar fleece
does not absorb liquid and therefore almost acts like an extra nappy
cover. Of course this is only possible in colder climates. Do not be
tempted to overheat your baby.

THE NAPPY DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH ABSORBENCY FOR YOUR BABY
Applies to cloth & disposable nappy users

Solution:
Some babies can hold on for ages and then let out a flood. While others
will wee constantly but small amounts. Either way, you need to make
sure you have enough absorbency to suit your baby. If the nappy is
absolutely soaked at changing time, then it may NOT be meeting your
babies needs. There are 2 things that you can do. Some babies will
need both. Firstly, you can add a booster (or 2 or 3) inside your babies
nappy. I have found Ezy Nappy boosters to be the most absorbent
booster I've come across. Alternatively, you may need to change your
baby more often. A BIG WETTER may even need to be changed every
hour although most babies should be able to cope with between 2 to 4
hours in the daytime with correct absorbency.
I have heard of some mothers putting 2 nappies on a baby overnight to
combat their big wetting habits.

WASHING POWDER IS CLOGGING UP THE STAY DRY LINER IN THE NAPPY

Solution:
If the absorbent part of the nappy is not completely wet, but the nappy
is still leaking, then the problem could be that the stay dry liner is
clogging up and not allowing the moisture to pass through to the
absorbent layers of the nappy. Soap flakes in particular tend to do this.
Think about the soap residue left on a sink where a soap bar has been
used. If this residue is inside the liner fabric, then it may be difficult for
moisture to get through.
If you think that this may be the cause of your leaks, then try putting
your nappies through a hot wash with no detergent. Then rinse the
nappies in cold water. This may need to be done twice. In future, use
half the recommended amount of washing powder.

WASHING POWDER IS CLOGGING UP THE ABSORBENCY OF A NAPPY

Solution:
Just as an unwashed nappy will repel liquid, so will a clogged up nappy.
The reasons and solution are the same as above for a clogged up
nappy liner.

THE NAPPY COVER IS NOT WATERPROOF

Solution:
Using vinegar in your wash is recommended by many
environmentalists, but using vinegar on a PUL nappy cover, will render
it useless. Sanitizing solutions will also destroy PUL.
Furthermore, fleece, acrlyic or wool covers used without PUL can allow
moisture to pass through them if they are compressed. A seatbelt or
baby pouch is the most common place for this to happen. These types
of covers should be fine however, at night or under normal daytime
activity.