Cloth Diapers are great reusable diaper solutions as compared to regular disposable diaper options. You can wash them and use them.
In this post, I will discuss whether do cloth diapers leak and all you need to know about it.
Let’s get started!
Do Cloth Diapers Leak?
Cloth Diapers Do leak if the fit is not proper or if the absorbing material is poor.
If you have ever used a cloth diaper, chances are less that you don’t yet know about leakage problems. Leaking cloth diapers is one of the primary concerns among parents.
This is also the core reason why many parents prefer disposable diapers. Disposable diapers feature a snuggly fit with highly absorbent makeup and mitigate the chances of high leakage. On the other hand, cloth diapers are nowhere near leakproof, and you can never rest in peace with your babies in cloth diapers.
Why do Cloth Diapers Leak?
Here are the top 3 reasons why cloth diapers leak:
Improper Diaper Fit
The diaper is either too tight or too loose. Or is it fitting the baby well around the pubis but loose around the legs? Poor diaper fit will inevitably lead to leakage.
The best way to prevent this is always to buy cloth diapers according to the age and weight of the baby. Always buy cloth diapers true to the size.
Poor Absorbant Material
Cloth diapers do not have any added absorbance material or microfiber like disposable diapers. So, they can never absorb like disposable diapers.
The best way to prevent the problem is to attack some extra micro fibre layers in the diaper or stitch some old pieces with the new cloth diaper. When doing this, ensure that you always stitch the old ones at the back that never touches the skin directly.
Diaper Repelling
Diaper repelling happens due to build-up. After using washable diapers for a considerable time, you will find there is residual build-up in the diaper even after washing it well.
This residual build-up slowly decreases the overall absorbing capacity of the Diaper. The phenomenon is repelling, meaning the skin repels that cloth diaper. The best way to stay away is never to use a cloth diaper for too long.
Do Cloth Diapers leak more than disposables?
Yes. They do. Cloth diapers leak more than disposable because they have less absorbance. It is better not to use cloth diapers for nights because they will leak, causing the bay’s discomfort.
Different Scenarios of Cloth Diaper Leaks
Cloth diapers can leak at various times, but here are some typical scenarios when cloth diapers leak the most:
Cloth Diaper Leaking at Night
During the night, the baby usually remains in the same diaper for a long time. If the cloth diaper gets wet once, it cannot absorb anymore and needs immediate changing.
It is always better not to use cloth diapers at night and use disposables instead. If you use cloth diapers, you must check on them repeatedly because wearing a wet diaper will give rise to cough and cold issues in the baby.
Cloth Diaper Leaking Around Legs
The areas around the legs feature the pubic crevice, and the diaper’s fit is inappropriate in this region. So, there is much leakage around this area.
Whenever buying cloth diapers, always look for the best-fitting ones, especially around the leg area. It is impossible to attach any extra microfiber in this area, so choosing the best fit is the best option.
Cloth Diaper Leaking Through Stitching
Since the cloth surface near the stitching is uneven, the stitching zones don’t fit the skin. These become prominent areas of leakage for cloth diapers. Always choose cloth diapers that have minimal stitching areas showing up.
The diapers which have to stitch on the bottom layers are the best because the surface that touches the skin is even, and there are fewer leakage chances.
How Tight Should a Cloth Diaper be?
To prevent leakage, many parents tie the cloth diapers so tight that the baby often develops dermatological problems owing to excessive skin stress and abrasion.
The cloth diaper should be tight enough to prevent leakage but not too tight to cause discomfort in the child.
Also, there should always be a small gap between the baby’s skin and the cloth diaper to allow some airflow.
Tips to Stop Cloth Diaper Leaking Problem
Now that we know much about the problem, let us have some discussion about how to prevent cloth diaper leakage:
Buy the Right Size
Unlike disposable diapers, cloth diapers are available in multiple sizes and covers. You must consider two things while buying cloth diapers – the baby’s age and weight.
The primary area where cloth diapers don’t fit babies is around the leg. Whenever buying cloth diapers, ensure that they fit around the legs.
Go for smaller sizes rather than bug sizes. Remember, these are not clothes that your baby will be able to wear for the long run if you take the next big size.
Prepping the Diaper
Disposable diapers need no preparation. You can simply take them out of the packet and fit them into your baby. Cloth diapers, on the other hand, need some preparation.
You must wash the cloth diapers multiple times before actually using them. It may attain an oily texture when washing the diaper because the natural fibers in the cloth diaper, such as hemp, will release some natural oils.
Always clean the diaper properly before using it. When the cloth diaper is seasoned correctly, it absorbs better, thus reducing leakage.
Enhancing Absorbance Capacity
Most cloth diapers do not have enough absorbance power. Cloth fiber cannot be as absorbent as disposable diapers. The best trick to enhance the efficiency of regular cloth diapers is to attach some strips of old cloth diapers. This is a great way to improve absorbance.
Simply stitch some old diaper cloth at the back of the new one. It will give the new cloth diaper some texture and improve the absorbance power.
Change Diapers Frequently
Cloth diapers cannot protect your baby against leakage for a long time. Instead, cloth diapers can give protection for just a few hours.
It is not disposable diapers that you can keep on for hours without worrying about leakage. When your baby has a cloth diaper on, ensure that you check on them frequently and keep on changing the diapers now and then to prevent leakage.
Here are some of the best cloth diapers on amazon:
Last update on 2023-05-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Conclusion
Let’s conclude the post on whether cloth diapers leak!
If you find cloth diapers to be leaky work on the solutions I discussed here. Also, do take care of cloth diaper fitting as that is the most crucial thing here.
