Should I just give up?

brinaroze1 · February 2014

I'm having a difficult time figuring out why my daughter's diapers are constantly leaking. We use pockets, and I've tried sizing them bigger/smaller, stripping, adding extra inserts, everything I could think of without much luck. DD is on the small side, only weighs 18 lbs at 12 months, so I'm wondering if she's just too small.

Cloth diapering was one of the most important things I wanted to do for my baby, but it seems like more trouble than it's worth sometimes. My mother was totally on board before DD was born, but now refuses to use the cloth due to the leaks. Since I only work part time, she's my only option for daycare. I'll use cloth when I'm at home, but I'd still like to resolve this issue. Any other suggestions? We have a variety of brands, bum genus, fuzzi bunz, Kawaii, etc.

nanabanana06 · February 2014

Are they delaminated? Elastics ok? She's not too small. Microfiber or natural fiber inserts? Are they on tight enough?

Roxie5739 · February 2014

Is your Mom or you using the right diaper creams or too much? Maybe build up that is causing. repelling issues??

brinaroze1 · February 2014

How do you know if they're delaminated? I haven't used them that much, even though I have had them for almost a year. The elastics seem fine. Most of the inserts are microfiber. I have some hemp, but because I have to wash them separately, I don't use those that much.

Thanks for answering so quickly!

brinaroze1 · February 2014

We've only used coconut oil with the cloth diapers. The problem seems to be leaking out legs. I'm not sure how tight is too tight, or if the rise is too low. Or too high? I usually put it on the second row of snaps on her BumGenius, which is suggested for her weight.

kldole3 · February 2014

When you put the diaper on, do lift her legs to check for gaps? My daughter is 16 pounds and not nearly ready to move off the lowest rise setting and I only have two snaps open on the waist (BG). for my kawaiis everything is snapped to the tightest setting. I don't really look at the recommendations, I just make sure there is no gaps and she isn't uncomfortable. Sometimes I get red marks, but mainly when she's been sitting and it presses into her skin. There was a YouTube video floating around previously that showed about how putting on a cloth diaper was different from a disposable and that helped me a lot. I don't have the link though.

Also are the inserts soaked? If they are, you might need more absorbency. If not, then it might be the fit or some other issue.

nanabanana06 · February 2014

Why do you have to wash them separately? The only time you have to wash them seprately is when you prep. Honestly, it sounds like compression leaks. I'd get rid of your microfiber. Try stuffing the pockets with prefolds, hemp inserts, or bamboo. Natural fibers don't get the compression leaks like microfiber do. Many kids at 1 year pee a ton and are moving a ton.

brinaroze1 · February 2014

The inserts are always soaked! She pees so much! I'm definitely going to try stuffing the pockets with prefolds! I have enough of them! I was under the impression that you always wash natural fiber inserts separately. I'm new to all of this, though, so I get confused with all the information out there. I'll also check the sizing around her legs for gaps. I thought I had them right, but it could be causing the problem.

Thank you so much for all the help, ladies!

nanabanana06 · February 2014

Once prepped you can wash them all together. Get rid of that microfiber! It's probably your problem.

Danie007 · February 2014

How often are you changing her too? Really shouldn't be more than 2+ hours.

runningyogimama · February 2014

Ditto what everyone else has said. I would try more absorbency with natural fibers, make sure your mom is changing at least every 2 hours, and I would also check the fit. DD is 17.5 lbs and still on the lowest rise of her BGs.

Aurora_Borealis · February 2014

All of the above. But mostly if the inserts are soaked you need more absorbency. We stopped using microfiber entirely by the time DD was 1 year old. Natural fibers are more absorbent. Don't be afraid to use your hemp and wash it as normal with the rest of your diapers - ain't nobody got time to sort diaper laundry!

littleredfish · February 2014

I recently posted about my leaking issues. We'd had a really good run with no serious problems and then suddenly she was leaking all the time. She just outgrew her absorbency. I got rid of all of my MF and played trial and error for a week with my various inserts (bamboo blend, charcoal bamboo blend, bamboo and bamboo prefolds). My go to for during the day at daycare is 1 bamboo prefold and 1 pure bamboo insert. It holds a LOT of pee even when I know daycare does NOT change her every 2 hours. I plan to buy more bamboo inserts and bamboo prefolds just because it works so well for us.

brinaroze1 · February 2014

Can you ladies suggest a good place to order just inserts? I have three or so hemp/cotton blend Thirsties inserts, but obviously need more. Is there much difference between a doubler and an insert?

brinaroze1 · February 2014

AFwifelife said:

brinaroze1 said:

Can you ladies suggest a good place to order just inserts? I have three or so hemp/cotton blend Thirsties inserts, but obviously need more. Is there much difference between a doubler and an insert?

Yep there is a difference between an insert and a doubler. A doubler is to supplement an insert and wouldn't do well as the only absorbent part. Many ladies here like the Joeybunz inserts that you can get at many of the online CD stores (Kelly's Closet, Sweet Bottoms Baby, etc). You can also stuff a pocket with a prefold or flat (from stores like Green Mountain or another online CD store).

Thanks for all the info! I have a bunch of prefolds that I've actually been using in the pockets this morning. I've taken everyone's advice, and just been experimenting with my diapers and different combinations of inserts with NO LEAKS! I also adjusted the rise to make sure that there aren't any gaps. I'm thrilled this seems to have resolved the leak issue.

Gonna check out those Joeybunz. I may end up replacing all my inserts, because the prefolds make for a pretty bulky bottom! They work, which is the most important thing, but I think I should switch 'em out.

Thanks again to everyone for all the suggestions! I truly appreciate it.

nanabanana06 · February 2014

I have mostly BG pockets. I'm testing out RaR bamboo inserts in mine right now. If I like them we'll switch all our inserts to them.

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