Guide to Managing Cloth Nappy Leaks

Leaks are one of the most common frustrations when using cloth nappies but the good news is, most leaks are easy to fix once you know what’s causing them. Whether nappies are leaking quickly, wicking through clothing, or leaking only at certain times of day, it usually comes down to absorbency, fit, or positioning. This guide will walk you through the most common reasons cloth nappies leak and the simple adjustments you can make to keep everything dry and comfortable.

Absorbency

Insufficient absorbency is one of the main causes of leaks for cloth nappies. All nappies will leak if there is not enough absorbency as the PUL is water resistant, not waterproof. Generally, cloth nappies will last between two to three hours before needing to be changed. If you find nappies are leaking within two hours, this indicates that you need to increase the absorbency. 

The simplest way to add more absorbency is to add another insert. If you are only using one insert and it is saturated when you are getting leaks, this is an indication that you need more absorbency. Try popping in another insert. 

Insert Placement

With pocket cloth nappies, wee can sometimes take longer to reach the inserts that are placed in the pocket. Instead of stuffing the pocket of the nappy, try placing the insert on the top of the nappy. This helps wee to absorb faster and can reduce leaks. Cotton/Bamboo inserts are perfect for this as they have a stay-dry layer sewn into them. 

Do not place micrifibre inserts on top of the pocket, they should always go into the pocket. 

The wet zone

The wet zone is the area of the nappy where your child wees the most. Making sure there is enough absorbency in this spot, is one of the most important ways to prevent leaks. If absorbency isn’t in the right place, wee can escape before it has had a change to be absorbed. 

Every child is different and the wet zone can change depending on the child’s age, their position (ie sleeping on their tummy) and time of day. 

There are a couple of options for adding absorption in the wet zone. 

1. Fold an extra insert in half and place in the wet zone, onto of the pocket (make sure there is also an insert in the pocket). This works well with natural fibre inserts like bamboo as they can be easily folded and placed where necessary. This doesn’t work for microfibre inserts as they are too bulky and can’t be placed against the skin. 
2. Try adding a booster insert such as a Trifold or a Night Booster. Trifolds work great as they can be folded to suit you. They are also great for faster drying as they are only 2 layers thick. Our night boosters are super thick and thirsty. They are shorter than our standard size inserts so they can easily be placed where extra absorption is needed. 

Compression Leaks

If you find that the inserts are partly dry or only damp when you are getting leaks, this could be an indication of a compression leaks. 

A compression leak happens when pressure is applied to a cloth nappy and wee is squeezed out of the inserts, even though they aren’t fully soaked. There are a number of causes of this 

• When nappies are too tight
• When clothing is tight over the cloth nappy
• Car seats or prams

To reduce compression leaks 

• Avoid tight clothing. You may need to size up.  
• Ensure you have a good fit. Make sure the cloth nappy is not tight around the waist. 
• Change baby before long sits. Make sure they have a fresh nappy for car rides to reduce the risk of a leak.Want to learn more? Our Cloth Nappy Leaks Guide covers the most common causes of leaks.

Want to learn more? Our Cloth Nappy Compression Leaks: What They Are and How to Fix Them will tell you more.

Wicking

Wicking is the movement of liquid along fabric. In cloth nappies, this will happen when fabric sticks out of the nappy cover. Our nappies have a large opening at the back to accommodate for larger hands. Ensure all of this fabric is tucked back into the nappy cover. Also ensure that none of baby’s clothing has been tucked into the nappy cover.