What can cause elastics to relax?

CopperT0p

I've had DS2 in my BG OS from DS1 for about a week.  The legs don't fit right, I have the rise as low as it can go and the waist as tight as it can go and yet I still get some gaps around the legs as soon as they are bent.  DS2 is plenty large enough for them, and has reasonably chunky thighs for 14.5lbs and 26" long.  Ds1 wore them just fine at a smaller size. 

I'm starting to think the cause could be the elastics are a bit relaxed.  I looked at a new BG in the store and the legs looked a little more gathered than mine.    These have never gone in the dryer, and I've always used CD safe detergent on them.  Will they just relax with use? DS1 wore them for about 20 months before potty learning. 

TJ1979

Yep. Elastic wears out over time. Are they 4.0's? The elastic is supposed to be easy to replace in those.

TJ1979

Are they actually leaking though?

CopperT0p

Yes, they are 4.0s. I am not sure I would be skilled enough to replace them, but I'd be willing to try.  

And yes, they are leaking.  I get a lot of pee leaking around the the elastics, it is leaking around/through the PUL at the elastics once the MF is wet (which I have been able to remedy a bit by changing more often).  My issue is more that if he any more poop than a smudgy it leaks out the gaps at the leg.  So there can be 4+ times a day he leaks poop.  

I've been putting him in my Motherease OS and they don't have gaps, but the only covers I have for them are XL and they leave gaps.  I have wool covers I save those for ON. 

unaveragejane

Cracking up at "smudgy!"

CopperT0p

He is the King of Smudgy and Sharterland. 

There is not a single diaper out of 10-12 a day that hasn't seen some amount of poop.  

LittleApple

The BG 4.0 elastics are crap.  I have very small babies and my elastics were all relaxed after about a year of normal usage.  I just replaced the elastics in 20 of my diapers.  I bought elastic at the craft store.

runningyogimama

The elastics are super easy to replace, and I don't sew. There are lots of tutorials for it.

Aurora_Borealis

I'm not surprised the elastics need replacing between kiddos. I ended up replacing DD's when she was 15 months old or so because they were so stretched out.

It's super easy.

You need:
needle
thread
small safety pin
scissors
1/4" wide elastic cut into 4.5" pieces

1. Turn the diaper inside out.
2. Locate the exposed elastic ends - they should be visible at the ends of the leg casing.
3. Cut out old elastic.
4. Sew one end of the new elastic into the diaper right where you cut the old elastic out. Take care to not sew through the PUL.
5. Secure safety pin to other end of new elastic.
6. Thread elastic through the casing and sew at other end.