How to prevent leaks in reusable diapers?

Properly used reusable diapers should not leak. We prepared a handful of tips for you on how to avoid leaks.

1. Use absorbent inserts that are absorbent enough for your baby.

Remember that after some time your baby’s bladder capacity will expand and you will need more absorbent inserts or additional booster for those you are using now. Also keep in mind that babies sometimes pee a lot more during the teething period, for example.

It’s worth to know that microfiber inserts are designed for babies who don’t pee too much. Natural materials (e.g. cotton, bamboo) will work better for for babies who pee more. Remember that older and more peeing babies need more quantity of absorbent layers, especially on the front (or front / center for girls).

2. If necessary, increase the absorbency of the main insert with an additional booster or another small insert.

If you use long inserts, you can also try to fold them so that there are more layers in the front or in the middle (for girls) – as shown in the photo below.

3. If you have inserts (or pocket nappies) with synthetic materials (for example: mrofiber, microfleece, coolmax), check if they are not greasy.

Pour water over them and see if the insert (or microfleece/coolmax from the pocket nappy) absorb it. If there are drops staying on the material, it is a sign that the insert (or pocket diaper) need degreasing. In this case soak them for at least a few hours in hot water with the addition of washing-up liquid (without lotions).

4. If you have new inserts made of natural materials (eg cotton, bamboo, hemp, linen), remember that inserts of this type need about 8 washes to obtain full absorption.

5. Make sure that you are not using too large diapers.

There must not be any gap between the elastics and the child’s body, the diaper must not hang too much – it must hold the insert well in direct contact with baby’s body. Remember to use the newborn size and not OS for newborns and very small babies.

6. Make sure you are putting on the diaper correctly.

Please remember:

• the absorbent insert must be 100% covered by the cover
• it is important to adjust the length properly – a common mistake is to increase the length of the cover too quickly, which causes the diaper to hang and the insert is not held well with direct contact with baby’s body
• tuck extra fabric at the front upwards.

•  the insert shouldn’t be placed too high or too low (see the picture below)

•  the insert cannot be too narrow – the child’s urine must be absorbed by the absorbent insert, it cannot go directly to the PUL
• the elastics must fit perfectly to the child’s body, there must be no gaps.

7. Remember that the baby bodysuit must be loose.

If it sticks tightly to the diaper, it can cause leaks. Use a larger bodysuit size or use special bodysuit extensions.

8. Prevent PUL damage.

Do not dry the covers / pockets in a tumble dryer, be careful not to scratch the membrane with a fingernail or ring, avoid drying the membrane in the sun, do not dry the covers on a radiator. In you have leaks despite following all of the advice here check if the membrane is not damaged.

9. If your child is a boy, make sure the penis is pointing downwards.

10. Remember that the diaper should be changed at least once every 2-3 hours during the daytime.

During the teething period and  if your baby pee a lot, you may need to change it even more often. At night, you can change the nappy less frequently or not change it at all throughout the night, but of course only if you have sufficiently absorbent, night nappies (for eg. Fitted nappies, or sometimes just thicker inserts.

A few words about hydrofobic finish

In Doodush nappies PUL around the elastics (piping) has an additional hydrophobic finish. This is something extra, which we add as an additional protection. However, hydrophobic finish does not last forever – there is no one that will not wash off over time.  It is worth mentioning that washing off the hydrophobic finish is faster if someone uses detergents containing more than 15% oxygen-based bleaching agents or, for example, Nappy Fresh. This does not mean that using them is prohibited, because after washing off the hydrophobic finish, the diaper is still 100% functional (if the hydrophobic finish is washed out, it is not a basis for a complaint). It just won’t have that extra protection anymore. It should be mentioned here that many producers do not apply additional hydrophobic finish to their diapers at all. Our diapers, after washing off the hydrophobic finish, are as efficient as those that have never had it since they were new. The hydrophobic finish simply makes the diaper “forgive” the users for more mistakes. But no matter what detergent is used, the hydrophobic finish will be washed off sooner or later. However, using detergents containing less than 15% oxygen-based bleaching agents ensures that the diaper has this extra protection for longer. This could make a difference for people who make the mistakes such as changing the diaper too rarely, using inserts not absorbent enough or contact of elastics with a wet insert and also for parents whose children pee a lot.

How to check if the hydrophobic finish is washed out or not? Just pour a drop of the water over the piping and see if it absorb it. If the drop stay on the material like on the photo it means that hydrophobic finish is not washed out yet and so your diaper will „forgive” you more mistakes.