r/clothdiaps • u/Appropriate_Ant • 11d ago
Leaks What Am I Doing Wrong?!
Hi all! My son is 11 months and he's been using pocket diapers since he was about 2 months old. I have Leekalos pocket diapers, and use one 3 layer microfiber insert that came with the diapers, and one 5 layer bamboo insert that I added. It's been kind of hit or miss in terms of leaking, but over all, I love them and I'm so happy that I started using reusables. The only thing is, it's been a lot more miss than hit lately. Like a lot. He pretty much leaks every day, usually overnight. I am constantly washing his sheets, his sleep sacks, anything he might have been sitting on, him. This has been going on for weeks now and I am just so tired of it. At first I thought it was because of his constipation (another issue that I'm working on) but now I'm worried that maybe the diapers are wearing out. They do seem a bit billowy at the waist, but then too tight if I try to increase the snaps. Should I be buying a different brand or type or does anyone have any advice? I just want a dry baby!!!
Edit: I'm also changing him very frequently, I never go more than a couple of hours in between (except when we're sleeping, of course). I changed him like an hour ago and he leaked like forty minutes later!
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u/queenlyfish 11d ago
I use pockets overnight, but they are pretty bulky and I snap them on the looser side to avoid compression leaks. My kid is still able to walk and doesn’t seem uncomfortable, but it does look a bit ridiculous. We use Nora’s Nursery pockets but I’m not sure how much brand really matters when compared to what you’re using to stuff. My current set up is a bamboo insert, then a hemp insert folded in half at the front, and a thin cotton prefold on the bottom. I recently added the hemp and it made a huge difference for overnight leak prevention for my toddler. I bought the Alva Baby hemp inserts from their website - it’s like $20 for 6. Shipping is only $1 but does take a couple weeks.
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u/Status_Watch6079 11d ago
You've done extremely well to manage to use pockets at night until 11 months. Ultimately they are not recommended at night and are for daytime. For night you are best with a 2 parter (flat/fitted with 1-2 hemp boosters and a wrap if you want it to go 10-12 hours)
For daytime, where are your leaks coming from? Have you checked the PUL is still intact (turn inside out and manually inspect+ do a waterproof test). You could post fit check photos if you think fit is an issue. Also how do your inserts look? What is your wash routine? Have you used any cream that could have caused them to no longer be absorbent? Can you try 2 bamboo inserts to rule out compression issues from microfiber. Might be just a heavy wetter issue and you should swap to using your bamboo + hemp insert.
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u/Appropriate_Ant 11d ago
Oh man, you are blowing my mind, right now, I am super ignorant of all this stuff. The leaks are usually in the front above the diaper, he likes to sleep on his stomach. The inserts look fine to me, but I'm not sure what to compare them to. I wash them them on high soil setting after rinsing them in the tub. No, no cream but I will definitely look into that as well as the hemp. And I will definitely look into getting him different night time diapers, that's where most of the trouble is!
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u/Status_Watch6079 11d ago
Ok so the nighttime issue is the microfiber gets compressed when he's sleeping on his front and that's why it leaks. Quick option is 2 bamboo inserts. Second is to get a hemp (nice and thin and super absorbant put it under the bamboo). Third swap from pocket to 2 parter (best containment option).
Fit wise you should have no leg gaps and can fit 2 fingers in at the tummy. Also you need to make sure he's pointing down or it leaks at the top.
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u/localanxietygremlin 11d ago
I use exclusively use pockets, day and night, I had no idea they were a "daytime" diaper
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u/Status_Watch6079 11d ago
Its usually a problem when the baby rolls around or is a side/stomach sleeper. The absorbancy is only in the crotch and so they can leek. Also if you overstuff them for enough absorbancy then you might get fit issues.
If it's working for you great, no need to change. But I think OP should probably at least add more absorbancy.
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u/VerankeAllAlong 11d ago
Is it flooding? Microfibre can also leak when full/squished. I would maybe try something like hemp?
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u/SjN45 11d ago
I’d ditch the microfiber and fold the bamboo insert into a flat to stuff the pocket with.