With reusable diapers, leakage of urine is more common than fecal leakage. The blow-out diapers where feces reach the neck or socks are notorious with disposable diapers. Fortunately, this is a rarity with reusable diapers due to the fine and strong elastics of reusable diapers. As a result, feces usually stay within the edges. Leakage of urine occurs somewhat more often, but fortunately that can often be solved quickly. In this blog we will focus on the leakage of pee diapers.
Reusable cloth diapers are actually leak
Many parents are afraid that the diapers are damaged when they have leakage. A reusable diaper only does its job if there is also a water-resistant layer. This is the cover for fold cloth diapers or fitted diapers, and the outside of All-In One (AIO) diapers, pocket diapers and Snap-In-One diapers. We deliberately call this the water-resistant layer and not the waterproof layer. This layer consists of PUL or TPU and that is not 100% waterproof. If you look at the fabric up close, you can see that it is a membrane. You can see the small holes. This makes reusable diapers very breathable (unlike disposable diapers) but not 100% waterproof. Wool is also used as a water-resistant layer over reusable diapers, and that is also not 100% waterproof. In practice, this means that if a diaper is really too full, the moisture can go straight through the outer layer and cause wet clothes. A diaper or cover often appears to be broken, while in most cases this is fortunately not the case!
Picture: Close-up from Elskbar Newborn AIO. The membrane with the small holes is clearly visible.
Common causes of leakage
New diapers
Let’s start at the beginning! Are your new diapers been washed ? New diapers absorb very little moisture, just like new towels. You first have to wash them well, so that the fibers can absorb moisture. After 3 washes you can start using the diapers, but you still have to take into account that the absorption is not optimal. This is only the case after 10 to 12 washes. So if you experience a lot of leaks with your brand new diapers, give them a few more rounds in the washing machine, or change them a bit faster.
What system do you use?
There are roughly four different systems of reusable diapers. The All-In-One (AIO) diapers, the pocket diapers, the Snap-In-One (SIO) diapers and the two-piece system, which consists of a fold cloth diaper or fitted diaper with a cover over it. AIO diapers and pocket diapers are a lot more prone to leaks than the other two systems, because everything is attached to or in each other, there is less opportunity to boost extra and because the fit is very tight and therefore more prone to errors. The SIO system is a bit more flexible and easier to get a fit and to boost. The two-piece system with a fitted diaper and cover is the most leak-proof, the best to boost and actually also the easiest. For frequent wetters and during the nighttime, this is the system we recommend most.
Use of the cover
Picture: The babysitter forgot the cover!
It seems like a no-brainer, but sometimes it still goes wrong. Make sure you use cover with fold cloth diapers and fitted diapers. Nowadays, fitted diapers often have the most beautiful prints and then it can seem like nothing needs to be put on top. But a fold cloth diaper or fitted diaper without a cover is guaranteed to get wet. When using separate covers, it is also important to let the cover air and dry between two changes. If you put the same cover on the new clean diaper all day long, the cover will become increasingly clammy and moisture will pass through more easily. So it is best to alternate between two covers, using them alternately. At the end of the day, put the cover in the diaper pail and take clean cover. An cover that has been used for the night can best be put in the diaper pail after the night to be washed. Just like diapers, covers should be washed every 2 to 3 days for a longer lifespan.
The fit of cloth diapers
The most common reason for leakage is a diaper that doesn't fit properly. Although it's not rocket science, it often takes some practice to put diapers on properly.
Above you can see the four most important features of a well-fitting reusable diaper.
1. With a reduced diaper, the reducing flap should point upwards, for a neat and comfortable fit at the legs. This reduces the chance of leakage in the groin.
2. The diaper should be loose. Loose enough that the diaper gapes when a child is lying on his or her back. You should be able to slide two fingers between them with ease. This applies to the diaper and the cover.
3. The diaper should fit loosely at the legs. You should be able to fit one finger between them easily.
4. There should be no gaping holes visible near the legs.
In addition, it is also important that no absorbent parts and wet inserts protrude beyond the water resistant outer layer. The cover must keep everything well inside.
Picture: The diaper came out from under the cover, resulting in a wet bed.
Too little absorption and/or changed too late
Since a cover or other water-resistant outer layer is never 100% waterproof, it can also simply start leaking if the diaper underneath is really saturated. There are two possible solutions to this problem; changing it earlier or boosting it. It is often said that a reusable diaper should be changed approximately every three hours. A very slim AIO diaper will need to be changed a little sooner, a fitted diaper will last a little longer. Of course, this also depends greatly on how much your child pees. Some children pee a lot and need to use very thick diapers to last three hours. Other children can easily walk around for five hours in a slim AIO diaper. If you do not want or cannot change the diaper earlier, you can also increase the absorbency. This can be done by using a thicker diaper or by adding a booster. In some cases, a diaper can also be soaked locally, while it is still almost dry elsewhere. This mainly happens with boys who can wet a diaper very wet at the front, while nothing has been absorbed at the back. If you use a diaper with a loose or semi-loose booster in it, you can fold it double at the front to increase the absorption capacity at the front. It can also help to add a thin cotton booster that covers the entire diaper. This can also be a hydrophilic washcloth or a burp cloth, for example. Cotton absorbs moisture quite quickly and then distributes it better over the diaper. A combination of both is of course also possible.
Too big of a pee
Sometimes leakage occurs while the diaper is still almost dry and the child has just been changed. When pee literally runs out of the diaper, the diaper does not absorb the moisture quickly enough. The amount of pee is then so large that it already runs out of the diaper before it is properly absorbed. This usually happens with toddlers between 12 and 24 months. Children then learn that they can hold their pee, do not longer pee small bits, but a few large(r) pees a day. It is a first sign of toilet training and it may be worthwhile to introduce the potty at this stage if this has not already been done. You can also try to make the diaper so that it absorbs moisture faster and distributes it better. A thin cotton booster is also very useful for this, but a cotton (terry cloth) burp cloth or a hydrophilic washcloth often works very effectively too.
The right materials in the right order
The four most commonly used absorbent materials all have different properties. If you know this, you can make good use of it. In the diaper, you should start against the skin with the material that absorbs moisture the fastest. This is microfiber, followed by cotton. Microfiber itself should never be used directly against the skin, but there are also microfibers with a Stay-Dry fleece layer and then that is allowed against the skin. Further down in the diaper, it is best to use bamboo, or a hemp-cotton mix. This absorbs much slower, but also retains moisture better. When using loose boosters in a cover, or a pocket diaper with boosters, you usually just take two different boosters. A microfiber or cotton booster first and a bamboo or hemp booster second. If you use a diaper in addition to boosters, then you also look at the material of the diaper itself. In a bamboo or hemp diaper, you can easily place a loose cotton booster. If you use a cotton diaper and want to make the diaper so that it retains moisture a bit longer, then you can best put the bamboo or hemp booster between the diaper and the cover. If you only want to increase the absorption level, then you can of course also just put a cotton booster in the diaper.
Pressure leakage due to external pressure
Even if the diaper is on properly and not yet soaked, leakage can occur if there is too much pressure on the diaper. For example, because a romper or pants are too tight, but also when a child is in a car seat or in a baby sling. A really dry diaper will not leak, but a diaper that is almost full can. The solution is to add an extra booster, preferably one made of a material that can retain moisture well. Microfiber, for example, can quickly absorb a lot of moisture, but works a bit like a sponge. A little pressure and it all runs out again. So choose a bamboo or hemp booster and use something cotton as the first layer (against the skin) for good moisture distribution.
Damaged
Of course, it can also be the case that a diaper or cover is really damaged, so damaged that it no longer functions. This can be caused by damage to the PUL or TPU layer and can often be seen on the fabric. In that case, there is nothing more to be done. A damaged diaper cannot be repaired. Causes of damaged diapers can be mechanical damage, such as something sharp in the washing machine, or a child sliding over the tiles in its diaper. In addition, this layer can also be damaged by a wrong washing routine, in which the urine affects the layer or a bacterium. Proper washing is therefore essential for a long lifespan of your items. If you have any doubts about your washing routine, read this blog or ask us to help you.
Picture: The holes in the PUL layer are clearly visible. The cover is five years old and used.
Picture: This cover is also leak. You can see all sorts of mini tears in the PUL layer.
Need help?
Are you having a lot of trouble with leakage and can't figure it out even after reading this blog? Don't hesitate to ask us for help. We are happy to help and leakages can almost always be solved. You can always email, call or app us! For all contact information, see the contact form.
