Modern cloth nappies are easy to use, but like any nappy they can, and occasionally do, leak. The good thing about cloth nappies is that leaks are always easily solved usually by simply tightening or loosening your nappy or by adding a little extra absorbency and unlike disposables neither of those two things require you to buy a whole new pack of nappies in a whole different size or brand. It's just one of the reasons why we know you'll love cloth.

The most common cause of leaking is a poor fit. Leaks caused by a poor fit will usually originate from the legs and will start soon after, or even during baby's first wee. Once the nappy is changed you will also notice that the nappy or insert is not very full or wet.

For best results ensure you have a firm fit around babies tummy and legs. When baby lays on their back and you push their knee up to their chest revealing the back of their thigh you should not see any gaps between baby's leg and the nappy, and when you place your finger in between baby's legs and the nappy it should feel fairly firm. It is also important to ensure the nappy sits high on baby's wasit and that the leg elastics sit high in the groin like normal underwear.

Absorbency is another common cause of leaking. It is often only a problem for a limited period of time when baby may be drinking more than usual (e.g.. growth-spurt or warmer weather) or when they begin to take in extra fluids from their first foods. However some children will be heavier wetters than others and may need extra absorbency for longer periods of time.

Leaks caused by too little absorbency will often originate from the legs during the day and either the legs or waist overnights or during naps. The nappy usually won't leak for two or more hours and when it is removed you will notice that the nappy or insert is very heavy and may even appear saturated. it is common for parents to notice that their baby only needs more absorbency at certain times of the day.

This problem is easily solved by adding extra absorbency to your nappy. Extra inserts or boosters are relatively inexpensive and if you aren't sure which ones to try you can contact us and let us know what type of nappy you use and your baby's age so we can suggest what inserts would work best.

It is very important to remember that from about 2-3months of age all babies will need additional absorbency in their night nappy. We highly recommend using a combination of hemp and microfiber (where the microfiber is on top of the hemp) for night nappies as they provide fast absorption (microfiber) as well as being able to lock away moisture so that they won't leak under baby's weight (hemp).

Compression leaking is usually only seen during sleeps or while an older baby is sitting for extended periods of time, such as long car journeys. It is caused when baby's weight compresses a microfiber insert/inner and reduces it's capacity to absorb as much liquid. To prevent this we recommend using a hemp insert underneath a microfiber insert for nights, naps and long excursions.

Build up can be caused by either extended use or improper care, it is a layer of oily residue on the fleece, micro suede or even natural fabric lining of that nappy that will prevent it from pulling moisture away quickly. As a result the liquid rolls off the top of the fleece and causes a leak. Build up can be caused by using too much detergent, low quality/non-ecofriendly detergent, fabric softener, pure soap products, using nappy/barrier creams without a liner or even washing on cold frequently.

Build up often has the same characteristics of an improper fit, but it will continue to cause leaks regardless of how well the nappy is fitted. If you place a drop of water on the lining of the nappy it will roll around on top and won't go through into the insert/inner. If you think your nappy may have build up check out our care info for instructions on removing it and tips on preventing it from returning.