Bumpy Buns - Cloth Nappy Leaks

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.
If leaking only occurs at night then Eenee Overnight Pants can also be helpful
and work with any nappy system.

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. Allstar boosters have a stay dry layer
on them as well. 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 stay dry 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.