Leaks

Posted by Lilli Cannon on 11/2/2010
"Help!  My diapers are leaking!  Why?"

There are a lot of possible answers to this question, so I always need more information to answer it.

  • Does the diaper fit correctly?

The diaper should not gap away from the baby's skin anywhere on the legs or waist.  You should have to stretch the elastic aside in order to get one finger between the diaper and the baby.  Also check for gaps when the baby is in different positions - a common culprit is when the baby is sitting upright, the legs can gape at the crotch.  For boys, a diaper that is too low-cut in the front can cause leaking since their pee is aimed towards the front.

  • Is the diaper or pocket insert completely soaked when it begins to leak?

Then change the diaper more often.  Diapers will leak if they are completely saturated and the baby pees again.

  • Does it leak when the insert is not saturated?

This happens because the pee is running off the inside of the diaper before it can soak in.  This can be caused by three factors:

1.  Buildup on the diapers is causing the diaper to repel the pee before it can soak in.  The solution is to strip the diapers - wash them several times on hot with no detergent to work out the excess detergent.

2.  Toddlers often have this problem because they drink a lot of liquids and they hold their pee for longer, so when they do pee, it comes out very quickly and forcefully, called "flooding."  This is usually only a problem with pocket diapers as the stay-dry inner layer requires a few moments for the pee to pass through.  This stage of the baby's development usually passes, but it can be solved by using natural-fiber pockets or all-in-ones or fitteds and covers.

3.  If it happens while lying down in a pocket, it can be because the pee rolls inside the diaper to an area where there is no insert inside (like the wings.)  The solution would be to not use a pocket for times when the baby will be lying down.

  • Does it leak only at night?

Babies can contort themselves into weird positions at night, and if they sleep for longer and still nurse at night, there is a lot of pee for a diaper to contend with!  We have a page of night-time diapering solutions, but in general, using a fitted with several doublers and a pull-on style cover made of fleece or wool will be your best bet.

  • Does the leaking seem to come right through the outer fabric everywhere?

This is usually waterproofing/PUL failure, usually caused by excessive bleach or really harsh washing methods.  If you look at the inside of the waterproofing, instead of being smooth and clear or slightly whitish, it will be cracked, ripped or peeling, and sort of look like a peeling sunburn.  This cannot be fixed, but it is sometimes a manufacturing defect and may be covered under the manufacturer's warranty.

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110 Comments

Kelly Kurek
Date: 11/8/2010 11:11:23 AM
My daughter leaks in her BG AIO at night; I have found some inserts that work well, but she does best if I put a FuzziBunz on her at night.
Lacey Riggs
Date: 11/8/2010 11:11:33 AM
I was having leak issues with my pockets until I added hemp inserts. I pair a micro insert with a hemp for overnight and almost no leaks. i will also put a wool cover over it sometimes, when I know DD has had a lot to drink before bed.
Kendra Vogiatzoglou
Date: 11/8/2010 11:12:51 AM
This is a great article for those just starting out with cloth. When I first began I had some leaking issues and had no idea what was going on! Luckily now the only time I have leaks is when my daughter drinks a lot and the diaper insert gets too full. That doesn't happen very often though because I change her diaper every 2 hours or so.
Kim Fine
Date: 11/8/2010 11:14:19 AM
My leaks almost always come from not having the cover completely covering the diaper. We used to have wicking problems with Imse Vimse cotton covers, but we've switched to Kissaluvs marvels one size covers and they hold amazingly well!
marissa
Date: 11/8/2010 11:14:48 AM
My skinny baby had leaks because we couldn't find a diaper that fit well on him. Thirsties covers worked great. And fuzzibunz. But we had to use a thirsties hemp insert with the fuzzibunz. At night I stuff FB with a prefold and hemp insert.
April Nantz
Date: 11/8/2010 11:15:05 AM
We had leaks with all of our diapers at night. My son is a very heavy wetter. We started adding an extra doubler in there but it was too bulky. Sadly, we've had to go back to disposables at night because we don't have the money to get more diapers or more inserts.
Jennifer B
Date: 11/8/2010 11:16:26 AM
My son was leaking out of his Fuzzibunz, but I bought some Joeybunz and added that behind the microfiber insert and magic! no more leaks <3
Amy Robinson
Date: 11/8/2010 11:16:41 AM
A friend of mine gave me a wool soaker to use over the pockets for times when the baby is peeing and leaking more. I also have some wool soakers that I found on etsy and I am hoping they will help, too.
Jamie Williamson
Date: 11/8/2010 11:17:01 AM
My daughter just started getting leaks in her fuzzibunz pocket diapers. I think it's time to strip
Laurie
Date: 11/8/2010 11:17:40 AM
We're having probs with that right now too. Thanks for the post!
Laura Zinke
Date: 11/8/2010 11:18:52 AM
So happy you posted about this! Our BG's have been leaking and previously our FB were leaking (though not anymore) I think it is both a matter of fit and possible build-up for us.
Amanda Gaus
Date: 11/8/2010 11:19:37 AM
We had a ton of leak problems at night! LJ is a tummy sleeper and her diapers were wicking (we think) onto her jammies. She wears the bG 3.0s. Adam suggested switching to hemp inserts for overnight. We really like the G.A.D ones. The best news... We haven't had a wet night SINCE! That's why you guys are the BEST!!
Mollie Bandy
Date: 11/8/2010 11:19:56 AM
We have the "leak through the outer fabric" issue. Yes, it is a result of our formerly waterproof (Gore-Tex) covers being old and used a billion times. I try to only use those covers in an emergency, or when I know we can be home and change her often.
Mindy Zea
Date: 11/8/2010 11:20:46 AM
I hardly ever have leaks with my prefolds and covers, we just switched to Kissas fitteds and covers and ordered some Bottombumpers, so we will see if we have as good of luck with them! Changing every few hours helps a lot!
Jennifer Sowers
Date: 11/8/2010 11:20:53 AM
I switched to organic cotton and hemp inserts, my son leaked through all of the microfiber inserts I tried. I can use a Super-doo as long as I pair it with an extra cotton or hemp insert for bedtime and use a Dancing Bears cover. I'm with Kelly on the Fuzzi Bunz at night all of the others leak. I also love Holden's Landing Bed Bugs with a Dancing Bear. These are what beat Leaks for us!
Jennifer Sowers
Date: 11/8/2010 11:21:10 AM
I switched to organic cotton and hemp inserts, my son leaked through all of the microfiber inserts I tried. I can use a Super-doo as long as I pair it with an extra cotton or hemp insert for bedtime and use a Dancing Bears cover. I'm with Kelly on the Fuzzi Bunz at night all of the others leak. I also love Holden's Landing Bed Bugs with a Dancing Bear. These are what beat Leaks for us!
Abby Vaughn
Date: 11/8/2010 11:22:11 AM
My first baby is due tomorrow (whee!) and I plan to have no problems with leaks whatsoever! Optimism is key, right?
louise brown
Date: 11/8/2010 11:22:25 AM
Tara Fee
Date: 11/8/2010 11:24:29 AM
Thirsties Duo Diapers are a great pocket solution to the "flooding" issue. We loved bumGenius, but our toddler flooded her diaper as you've described, and we'd have to change her every hour and a half or she'd have soaked pants. The Duo Diapers' double gusset contained the wetness until it could get absorbed by the diaper. They are wonderful!
Elizabeth Peterson
Date: 11/8/2010 11:24:53 AM
My son, now two, hardly leaked. We used prefolds with a variety of covers. He did leak sometimes at night. He is allergic to polyester (fleece), and wool irritated his eczema so we didn't have many options at night. He potty trained by 18 months, even through the night. So I guess the minor inconvenience of leaks had a happy ending! :)
Megan Ogren
Date: 11/8/2010 11:28:13 AM
Thanks for this article! My 3 year old leaks all the time, right when he pees, but the inserts are dry. I'm going to try prefolds and covers to see if that helps. I had tons of leaks with my 3 month old overnight until I started using wool. Now he can sleep 8 hours without leaks!
Mel
Date: 11/8/2010 11:28:19 AM
Fleece or wool covers help us catch any stray leaks. We're pretty good during the day, but at night, I make sure to have a cover on even if its a diaper with PUL!
DANA REMALEY
Date: 11/8/2010 11:28:24 AM
We really did not have leak problems until very recently (we use Rumparooz) I went to HBC and purchased Knickerknappies SuperDuo pads and that solved our problem! Adam asked me if I realized that those pads were for SUPER nuclear wetters.......so if you have a kid that is in that class I recommend these pads!
Ashley M
Date: 11/8/2010 11:29:47 AM
I've only had a few leaks with my 2 yr old and it was due to the way he was sitting and the diaper not being on tight enough.
Shannon
Date: 11/8/2010 11:30:35 AM
Our daughter does best with a fitted, extra fleece liner and a thirsties cover. She`s a heavy wetter!
Pnina
Date: 11/8/2010 11:33:11 AM
we are thinking about switching to cloth but a diaper service is so expensive and I'm not sure I can manage twins diaper laundry on top of cloths :-?
Erin
Date: 11/8/2010 11:33:29 AM
My heavy wetting 20 month old son wears a Fuzzibunz OS to bed stuffed with a trifolded premium prefold (which is too long for the diaper so I fold it down in the front so there's extra absorbancy there). He usually doesn't have any leaks and if he does it's just a little in the front/top if the diaper poofs out a little from the bulk. But I'm not complaining about an occasional, small leak when this kid has soaked through every other diaper (sposie or cloth) I've tried for him overnight!
Amanda Gornic
Date: 11/8/2010 11:33:37 AM
Thanks for the info on solving leak problems! I don't have a leaky baby yet, but this will come in handy when he gets here, I'm sure!
Jennifer Reinheimer
Date: 11/8/2010 11:38:28 AM
My daughter has become the heavy/quick wetter recently. I've become a big fan of a prefold and cover because I have never had a leak with them (even overnight). I was afraid I'd never be able to use pockets again (except at home where a leak isn't as big of a deal) but I am definitely going to look into the natural fiber pockets now. Thanks for the tip!
Christina A.
Date: 11/8/2010 11:38:28 AM
I started my stash for my now 5mo old son with Flips and Fuzzibunz..Never had a single issue with the flips, but the fuzzibunz would pucker at his legs right where the front button is and it would always leak no matter how i adjusted. I have been adding some BG4.0's to replace the FB and no problems since. I think he just isnt the right shape for fuzzibunz.
Erinn Giblin
Date: 11/8/2010 11:40:34 AM
Thanks for all the advice! I'm new to the CDing world, and I love all the tips.
Meridith
Date: 11/8/2010 11:41:39 AM
I always change her after her nap, so when we are out of our routine and I forget to change her, we get leaks. We are getting fewer leaks at night now that I have figured out the best combo in our BGs but it has taken a few tries.
Jennifer Rogers
Date: 11/8/2010 11:44:17 AM
I had crazy leaks with disposables. We were waiting for our daughter to fit into one size before we started cloth diapers. The third time she leaked all over me, I decided to see if she would fit into her rump-a-rooz and she did! We have not had a leak issue since.
Angela Heffner
Date: 11/8/2010 11:45:09 AM
I use mostly Fuzzi Bunz diapers (both one size and perfect size). My 2 yo is a heavy wetter and in order to get through the night with a dry guy, I put a really absorbent insert such as the one that comes with Apple cheeks dipes (bamboo) or an insert made of hemp. The micro terry inserts just are not doing it for him anymore! I am excited to see fuzzi bunz coming out with a new hemp diaper! Can't wait to get my hands on it!
Amanda Wolf-Johnston
Date: 11/8/2010 11:46:36 AM
My 3 month old has been having problems with leaking at night. I usually change her once at night when she's up to nurse. I'm thinking that I need to check the fit of her diapers and add some hemp inserts. We are using a variety of pockets at night (I'm still trying to see which works best; she has a fairly long rise).
Jen Baish
Date: 11/8/2010 11:49:54 AM
We had leaks with just about every OS diaper (aside from our BG's) until our son finally put some chunk on in his thighs! :) I can honestly say the only leak we had recently was in a disposable overnight! We'd been treating a really bad food-induced rash with some Balmex and he leaked through ever disposable at night! I was so happy when we got the rash under control and could get him back into cloth!
Autumn Boyer
Date: 11/8/2010 11:56:52 AM
My LO hardly ever leaks (we mostly use prefolds with Bummis SuperBrite covers, but also have Flips and FBs). At night, it's a bigger FB stuffed with hemp inserts. Last night, the fleece liner was sticking out a bit in the back of the diaper and he wicked to his jammies. Thankfully, that's a rare operator error!
Amanda Cruz
Date: 11/8/2010 11:56:56 AM
My 4 month old never leaks, we use mostly bum genius 4.0. I think it's important to be using the right detergent like Clean B or Rockin Green. I love those both! Also make sure the diaper is the right size/on right. Sometimes its the simplest solution that will work!
Priscilla Johnson
Date: 11/8/2010 12:01:17 PM
We had a lot of leaks in our BG 3.0s at night until we started using a hemp babies doubler in them with both the OS and newborn inserts. It's a full diaper, but it works for our heavy wetter. We also love the organic FLIP inserts for daytime use. They soak up SO much. Also, just making sure the diaper is on tight enough is a big deal. Sometimes nursery workers at church put it on so loose, it is bound to leak.
Abby Riegner
Date: 11/8/2010 12:05:06 PM
I use FuzziBunz for my son. I've noticed that the only time he leaks are when I'm having absorbancy issues with the inserts. I did some research. I wash the diapers normally, then wash them in a hot cycle with a drop or two of Dawn dish soap, another hot cycle with no soap, and dry as normal. The Dawn breaks down the build-up that forms on the inserts, and the absorbancy problem is solved. I do this once a month, and it works great!
Abby Riegner
Date: 11/8/2010 12:05:17 PM
I use FuzziBunz for my son. I've noticed that the only time he leaks are when I'm having absorbancy issues with the inserts. I did some research. I wash the diapers normally, then wash them in a hot cycle with a drop or two of Dawn dish soap, another hot cycle with no soap, and dry as normal. The Dawn breaks down the build-up that forms on the inserts, and the absorbancy problem is solved. I do this once a month, and it works great!
Colleen Maurina
Date: 11/8/2010 12:09:21 PM
With most diapers we have to be careful to fit them properly or they will leak through the leg gussets. Our favorites are Bummis and Fuzzibunz.
Meg Koenemann
Date: 11/8/2010 12:26:09 PM
For overnight, I like to add a hemp doubler to our Fuzzi Bunz. When leaks happen during the day, I check whether or not it's time to adjust how I am snapping them, or else strip the diapers. Usually those things will solve the leaking issue.
Julia
Date: 11/8/2010 12:27:07 PM
we had leaks all the time until I learned how to put the diaper on the baby tight enough... Since then no probs
erika Gohl
Date: 11/8/2010 12:30:25 PM
I make my own diapers right now and have had a few leak issues but mainly from excessive peeing. And I have had more leaking problems with the prefolds that I bought then the fitteds I made.
Crystal
Date: 11/8/2010 12:39:26 PM
I use fleece right now with my rumparooz and before we had never had any leaks anytime of the day or night but the last few weeks at night we get leaks and I just add a hemp liner below my fleece and it seems to really help. I wish the I could find help liners to attach to my fleece snaps to make it alittle easier to put into the pocket though.
Paula Neilson
Date: 11/8/2010 12:40:38 PM
I had horrible FuzziBunz leaks with my lil guy when he was 5 months. Once I got the fit perfect though, they've been my favorites although the smell is starting to creep in now lol.
Betsy Cruz
Date: 11/8/2010 12:46:25 PM
I find that FuzziBunz leak a lot easier than others because the microfleece repels if you are not SUPER careful. Do not EVER put anything in the diaper wash that isn't related to diapers. If you used vaseline to put in a thermometer, don't wipe it off with a cloth wipe and wash it with the diapers -- the will repel. Just stop using fabric sheets at all -- not worth the risk of one getting left over and causing them to repel. I've had better luck with AI2 not leaking. My favorites are Flip
Jennie Brennen
Date: 11/8/2010 12:49:17 PM
I have always found we only get leaks if it wasn't fitting correctly.
Lauren L.
Date: 11/8/2010 12:59:10 PM
I've always had bad leaks with any microfleece-lined pocket diapers. I get occasional leaks with BGs, but they are more dependable. I usually use natural fibers, though, because I hate having any leaks! BabyKicks and Bottombumpers are my favorites.
Heather McClain
Date: 11/8/2010 1:03:54 PM
Usually we only got leaks if the diapers were not fitting right. So next size cover or readjust the elastic in our FuzziBunz One size. I can always do a wool cover at night with extra fluff inside, my personal fav is the sustainable babyish I bought at your store! I hope to get up there soon as we are almost out of Diaper Rash Oil spray!
JR
Date: 11/8/2010 1:15:06 PM
The diapers we have don't seem to fit right around the legs and yet they don't leak. Sometimes they look like they are a perfect fit and they leak. I just can't figure it out.
Lindsay Moore
Date: 11/8/2010 1:17:59 PM
I use a premium prefold and a mother-ease OS fitted at night under a Thirsties Duo wrap. That has been my best solution so far. Pocket dipes worked until he became a side sleeper. Then we had leaks. Wool is also a good bet for a cover.
Chris
Date: 11/8/2010 1:21:27 PM
My 11 month old son leaked every night until I figured out that I could fold a flat in such a way that the bulk of the insert was in the front of the pocket. (google boy fold for specific instruction). Problem solved for us!
Andi
Date: 11/8/2010 1:30:01 PM
I have extra small & med inserts for my fbs. If we start to encounter leaks, I just stick in an extra insert. An extra small works at first, but by the time my daughter was potty training, I had 2 full sized inserts in each dipe. Worked!
Heather
Date: 11/8/2010 1:35:02 PM
We definitely had a problem with flooding at night...dancing bears fleece cover over a prefold works or a softbums dipe. For leaks at daycare, we had to "reteach" how tight to make the diapers. I also realized that we were using the Classic Rock and not Hard Rock detergent and the diapers weren't getting cleaned properly. We're pretty much leak free now at 11 months!
Jen Rubin
Date: 11/8/2010 1:37:30 PM
DS only leaks if I put his diaper on too loose. I usually only have that problem with side snapping diapers -weird.
Sabrina Radke
Date: 11/8/2010 1:38:12 PM
thanks so much for the info everyone!
Beth
Date: 11/8/2010 1:43:18 PM
Still new to cloth diapering with our first baby and only 8 weeks old. So far we've used Lil joeys, fuzzibunz and bum genius. We've only really had leaks (whether at night or during the day) if the cover isn't completely covering the inside of the diaper or we just snapped the wrong snaps... Otherwise, so far so good! I beleive we are sticking with them. Our little one seems more comfortable in the cloth diapers too :)
Tiffany
Date: 11/8/2010 1:43:53 PM
We sometimes have leaks when using snap diapers because my daughter's waist is very tiny and she has chunkamuffin thighs. It seems like I can get a better fit with aplix.
Jessica A
Date: 11/8/2010 1:48:48 PM
My nighttime solution is always is well fitting pocket (like FB perfect size or a BG 4.0) with a microfiber and hemp insert (I love love love Joey Bunz) Almost always a never-fail!
Amanda Hagy
Date: 11/8/2010 1:48:57 PM
Our leaks are due msotly to improper application and fit. If the lining is sticking out anywhere wetness will wick out that way. Our baby also has tiny skinny legs so she leaks from the leg holes sometimes. The one size fuzzibunz and Bumgenius fit a little tighter in the legs than the fuzzibunz perfect size so we stick with those at night.
Jill B
Date: 11/8/2010 1:57:21 PM
Thankfully we have never had a leak thanks to HBC's advice! We use hemp prefolds and the g-diaper's cotton/fleece insert against his skin with a dancing bears fleece cover.
Kelly Domiano
Date: 11/8/2010 1:57:30 PM
Great article! The only time I'm likely to have leaks is if I let one of the kids go too long. Easy to do when keeping track of my crew sad to say! Or if I put Aiden in the car shortly after waking... he's always a super heavy wetter in that first hour or so in the morning.
Marissa Wolfe
Date: 11/8/2010 1:57:45 PM
Hemp inserts are absolutely the best for us so far at night- he can go 10 hours without a leak! During the day, making sure all parts of the prefold or fitted are tucked inside the cover is also a big help!
Lauren
Date: 11/8/2010 2:06:14 PM
We've only had issues overnight. And I must say that the Knickernappies SuperDos inside a FB OS have solved that problem (in addition to lengthening the rise on the FB, to make up for the gigantic insert). However, a Dancing Bears Shorty just came my way--and one night of trial with two prefolds and the DB...and I might be a convert! AMAZING!
Gretel
Date: 11/8/2010 2:44:48 PM
Just stopping by to say hi. Baby isn't due for 11 more days. Hoping for no leaks! :)
Kristen
Date: 11/8/2010 2:46:16 PM
We use BumGenius at night with a supersoaker and a hemp insert. He can usually go 12 hours without leaking.
Rebecca Lewandowski
Date: 11/8/2010 3:09:08 PM
My son is a heavy wetter at night and we just got a dancing bears fleece soaker in the mail today :) So we are hoping tonight we can use his GAD with the hemp insert and then the dancing bears soaker and see what happens in the morning!
Krista Strother
Date: 11/8/2010 3:43:42 PM
Our problems with leaks were solved by hemp inserts, specifically the hemparoos, and dancing bears fleece soakers. Those things are a miracle!
Krista Strother
Date: 11/8/2010 3:44:00 PM
Our problems with leaks were solved by hemp inserts, specifically the hemparoos, and dancing bears fleece soakers. Those things are a miracle!
Aparna
Date: 11/8/2010 3:59:11 PM
Gr8 blog topic guys. So far we are ok. But this is coming and I will know where to get answers from.
Angela
Date: 11/8/2010 4:17:39 PM
I love getting tips on these things beforehand. My baby's due to pop out in the next few weeks, and I have some prefolds and covers waiting. I'm going to start there and see how things go. I'm confused on the wool covers though!? Do these really stop night-time leaking? Can you throw them over a prefold and cover as the final barrier?
Abbie Neary
Date: 11/8/2010 5:47:11 PM
no issues yet but it has only been 2 weeks since baby arrived :)
elizabeth findley
Date: 11/8/2010 8:27:45 PM
I have had a lot of problems with leaking with my fuzzibuns and FLIPS. I only use the reccommended detergent and I do not use fabric softener or dryer sheets ever! The fleece lining of the fuzzibuns will start to repel water like crazy and so will the inserts of both fuzzibunz and FLIPS. Things that I found HELP: I do a wash with a little bit of Chlorine Free Oxyclean. I use 1/4 of the recomended amount the usual cycle and then I do an extra short cycle to be sure the oxyclean is all rins
Kate
Date: 11/8/2010 8:52:52 PM
My daughter is a champion leaker. For nighttime, we do a GAD semi-fitted with at least one insert (usually two) and a Dancing Bears cover. That works 95% of the time. Then she started leaking at naptime, too. For that (since she's at day care), we usually do a BumGenius 4.0 with a hemp flat wrapped around the insert. We also had to give up on using GroVia -- they were leaking all the time once she started doing big toddler pees...
Kelly
Date: 11/8/2010 10:07:46 PM
We haven't had any leak issues since I made sure to keep the diapers nice and snug :)
Meghan
Date: 11/8/2010 10:09:23 PM
We have been fortunate enough to not have leak issues yet.
Jennifer Laurin
Date: 11/8/2010 10:09:26 PM
Great post!!
Michelle Bright
Date: 11/8/2010 10:12:03 PM
We haven't had any leaking issues either, I keep my dd snug! :D they fit better when they are snug :)
Jeannine m
Date: 11/8/2010 10:12:23 PM
Thanks for the info
Shanna Proctor
Date: 11/8/2010 10:26:11 PM
This is a really good article on leaks. :) I have had detergent build up and RLR saved my diapers. It really works great. I also have found that with some WAHM's the pul isn't as durable as say BumGenius. But that's been a rare occasion. :) Always make sure the fit is right. My husband has been peed all over by bad fit LOL. <3
Tara Sutton
Date: 11/8/2010 10:29:39 PM
I had a couple instances of leaking, but I'm new to CD'ing. One was with my BabyKicks OS with a Hemp insert. I think that was because I didn't prep it right. I've had no problems with it after a few washes. THe other was when I forgot to add vinegar to the rinse to make sure my detergent was rinsed out well. It caused build up and leakage. I LOVE the article though. It's very helpful for a first timer!
Lisa Meyers
Date: 11/8/2010 11:01:57 PM
We loved fleece or wool covers especially at nighttime. So nice to not have to worry about big wet spots in the bed!
Charity
Date: 11/8/2010 11:37:05 PM
I have been having lots of issues lately. I just stripped a load and think I have figured out any user error issues. I still have problems with my bottombumpers, which I love how cute and trim they are. They leak in between the side snaps every time. I can't nurse my son in while he's wearing them because the leak when he lies on his side. Drives me nuts! I some times think I worry that the diaper is goint to hurt my son because it is too snug, but I think that's the only way to prevent leaks
Tia Marie Dancy
Date: 11/9/2010 1:27:39 AM
When I first started using cloth diapers I had a few leaks here and there which is always frustrating. The leaks I was having were always at night so I will check out your night time diapering solutions, but it's rare that my son leaks anymore now that we are more familiar with cloth diapering. :)
Caroline Marin
Date: 11/9/2010 1:56:14 AM
I love hemp for night. And checking the rise on my diapers is a great option. My son leaks most in the ones that tend to rise lowest on him! I'll have to either adjust the rise or perhaps set those aside for a girl baby.
Caroline Marin
Date: 11/9/2010 1:56:28 AM
I love hemp for night. And checking the rise on my diapers is a great option. My son leaks most in the ones that tend to rise lowest on him! I'll have to either adjust the rise or perhaps set those aside for a girl baby.
Natalie
Date: 11/9/2010 6:06:36 AM
My 9 month old son leaks so badly at night, that dancing bears don't even do the trick any more! Help! I've had to start using (gasp) sposies. Yuck!!!!!
Natalie
Date: 11/9/2010 6:06:55 AM
My 9 month old son leaks so badly at night, that dancing bears don't even do the trick any more! Help! I've had to start using (gasp) sposies. Yuck!!!!!
Natalie
Date: 11/9/2010 6:08:10 AM
Sounds like I should try hemp.
Kristin
Date: 11/9/2010 8:26:55 AM
I've been trying hemp out for night time. It's helping, but definitely haven't found the perfect combination with my pockets. Also haven't found the perfect way to contain explosions... but I think that's an issue of velocity!
Missy Rider
Date: 11/9/2010 8:52:11 AM
I've only been CDing for a couple of weeks but I use the BG 4.0 at night double stuffed with a dancing bears fleece cover. No leaks so far!!
Kathryn Bossart
Date: 11/9/2010 9:31:21 AM
Interesting about the toddler 'flooding'! Yesterday while standing up, a puddle of pee appeared at my daughter's feet (and I had just changed her). It had never happened before, and I had to strip all my diapers last week, so I know that wasn't it. Of course, it was while we were standing in line at the store! I was thinking about switching to hemp inserts anyway, so more incentive to try!
Marci Nilsen
Date: 11/9/2010 10:14:05 AM
We had leak issues at night. We started using a prefold, GAD hemp doubler folded so there were more layers in the front, and a babykicks hemp doubler. It has completely solved our problem at night. During the summer, we had daytime leaks because my son was drinking so much fluids. We started stuffing our pockets with a larger prefold and it really helped.
Megan Orsi
Date: 11/9/2010 10:14:18 AM
No experience yet. We're due with our first in March. I've been researching cloth diapers and I'll have to add this article to the research findings ;-) Thanks for the info!
Bekah Park
Date: 11/9/2010 10:16:45 AM
I wanted to add that sometimes diapers can leak simply because you haven't properly prepped a natural fiber diaper. When we first got some organic cotton diapers, I didn't wash/dry them enough times before use and they leaked like crazy. Several more wash/dry cycles and now they are super absorbent.
Maeve
Date: 11/9/2010 10:23:09 AM
Some good info here...thank you!!
Rita Thomas
Date: 11/9/2010 10:27:12 AM
wish I would have seen this before I stopped cd'ing due to leaks on my toddler, now she is wearing pull ups and using the potty and almost completely trainned! I will be using this info for sure as i prepare for my 3rd child!
Libby H
Date: 11/9/2010 10:34:27 AM
great info! We've been lucky enough to not have leak issues other than poor fit. skinny thighs and snaps don't mix well.
kelly
Date: 11/9/2010 10:48:55 AM
Thanks so much for the info! My daughter leaks soo bad every night I MUST use disposables. I'm gonna make a quick order! ;)
Jamie Noblit
Date: 11/9/2010 10:51:31 AM
I tried to do pockets at night with extra hemp doublers and they just didn't cut it. I have found that the best solution is to use a good fitted (I prefer bamboo) with a SBish knit wool cover (most any wool would work) & it is bullet proof. I haven't had a single leak since switching to that combo. When I had been using disposables during my desperate search he was peeing out of them 4 out of 7 nights.
Penny
Date: 11/9/2010 11:10:20 AM
we get leaks when the insert for the BG 3.0 is not in straight or with Happy Hineys she gets leaks all the time...
Gabrielle Ferry
Date: 11/9/2010 11:40:31 AM
Thanks for posting this. My daughter is a wiggly 5.5 months old and leaks have just started to be a problem. Adding a hemp insert at night and making sure the diaper is snug, especially around the legs, has helped. Good to read the other tips.
Nicole Rowland
Date: 11/9/2010 11:44:36 AM
I was having not really a leak, but a wicking issue with one of my cotton outer "fashion" covers. Turns out the fitted diaper I was using, which is made of polyester rather than cotton, was taking a tiny bit longer to absorb than 100% cotton does. The pooling up of pee resulted in wicking. We have found that we don't have leaks with that cover when we use natural fibers. Gotta love cotton! I do use a microfiber insert at night between layers of cotton to hold the extra pee, so we don't have any
Typhany M-S
Date: 11/9/2010 12:00:34 PM
We've just started cloth diapering and we're still working out the kinks. While most of our leaks (which are minimal to begin with) occur during long naps and through the night, we're still finding our favorite cloth diaper... Thanks for all the info; I'll have to check back to this blog more often!
carly g
Date: 11/9/2010 12:53:23 PM
My sons diapers were leaking when i was using tude detergent when i switched over to a cloth diaper friendly detergent the leaks stopped!
Sabrina
Date: 11/9/2010 12:56:58 PM
I've only had a leak twice with my cloth diapers, both times my baby was laying on her side, otherwise, we've always been leak free. We use GroVia diapers, I love them.
Katelyn Glass
Date: 11/9/2010 4:07:18 PM
All of a sudden, we had major nighttime leak issues. I had previously used a double stuffed FuzziBunz, and a for a few nights one week I was changing her in the middle of the night. We switched to sustainablebabyish fitted with a cover and have no leak issues usually.
Cari Winkler
Date: 12/13/2011 4:31:12 PM
i love our flips, but poop seems to leak right through the cover at the leg. not sure why. i wash once in cold w/ rockin' green, then do another wash in hot w/ no detergent. i put them in the dryer a few times in the beginning because i didn't realize you were supposed to hang them. could that be why?

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