Leaking PUL-Based Pocket Nappies
Cloth nappies will always be more prone to leaks than disposables as they do not contain dangerous liquid-solidifying chemicals (just as well - can you imagine the harm they would do if eaten by your baby?) There are lots of reasons for leaking and many solutions to help. Here we discuss the different kinds of leaks found in pocket nappies, how to spot the, their causes and possible solutions.
Leaking Culprits...
- Ill-fitting nappy
- wrong-sized insert
- insert not absorbant enough
- insert not as effective as it used to be
- wicking
- pressure wicking
- infrequent changing
- breakdown of waterproofing
Signs:
- leaking at any time during wear (not just after an extended period)
- insert not saturated
- dampness around leg seams
- visible leaking from legs or waist openings
Causes:
If the nappy does not fit well two kinds of leaking can occur. If the fit is too loose around the waist or, more commonly, the legs, then wee can simply leak out visibly before it can get absorbed by the insert(s). If the nappy is too tight then pressure wicking can occur where fluid is pushed through the seams and/or fabric by the tightness causing a spread of dampness (rather than wetness) on the nappy outer layer..
Solution: Different sized nappy(!) or adjust fit of current nappy
Signs:
- leaking at any time during wear (not just after an extended period)
- insert not saturated
- dampness around leg seams (and occasionally waist)
- bunching of insert between legs or dropping into centre of nappy
- bulging of leg seams
Causes:
The wrong-sized insert is a common problem, especially for new users and one reason why manufacturers often supply their own ones. If the insert is too narrow or short then fluid can spread past the edges and collect in pools around the legs or occasionally along the top waist edge (especially on crawling babies). These pools will eventually find a way through the seams causing leaks. Often this is accompanied by bunching up of the insert as it is not held firmly in place. Alternatively, if an insert is too large it will put pressure on the seams of the nappy causing pressure wicking.
Solution: if insert is too big then use a smaller one(!). If too small it is possible to boost the size by wrapping the insert in a microfibre cloth - which has the added bonus of increasing absorbancy of your insert!
Signs:
- leaking after a short period of wear
- insert saturated
Causes:
Self-explanatory! Again, this is a common problem when starting out with pocket nappies. It is very easy to underestimate the amount of wee produced by a baby - remember how liquid their diet is! Bamboo is a highly recommended fabric for inserts as it is very absorbant, naturally anti-bacterial and is fast growing with no need for pesticides. An excellent combination is a bamboo insert with a microfibre cloth (available from most supermarkets) folded on top. The microfibre absorbs fluid very quickly and speeds it into the bamboo layer making a very efficient insert combination.
Inserts not as effective as they used to be
Signs:
- leaking after a short period of wear
- leaking occurs in all makes of pocket nappy
- insert not saturated
- inserts contain microterry or other man-made fibre
Causes:
A common problem with man-made inserts, such as microterry, is that detergents gradually build up on the fibres over repeated washing causing the insert to become less absorbant and actually repel liquids rather than absorbing them. This means that the nappy will leak very quickly as the fluid is sitting on the surface of the insert. If this happens you will need to 'strip' your inserts to remove this excess detergent by following these steps:
1. place all the clean, dry inserts in the washing machine ensuring no more than half-loaded. This is important as the inserts need space to rinse effectively.
2. add a tablespoon of washing soda or a squirt of washing up liquid (but NO detergent).
3. wash on a 60 degree cycle - you may find there is a lot of suds if using washing up liquid but don't panic - it will subside!
4. at the end of the cycle put on a rinse cycle and check for soap bubbles.
5. keep repeating the rinse cycle stage until no more bubbling can be seen
6. inserts are now stripped - they should be much more effective again!
depending on how often you use your inserts and how much detergent you use (half the recommended amount is best) you may need to carry out stripping every 4-6 weeks.
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Signs:
- dampness spreading across the outer cover, usually from the legs
- most common after extended periods
- insert usually saturated
- more usually seen on cotton-based PULs and outer fabrics
Causes:
Most pocket nappy leaking is actually some form of wicking - a gradual spread of dampness on the outside of the nappy rather than a real wetness. Wicking is caused by the gradual seepage of fluid from the waterproof side of the fabric (or separate waterproof layer) through to the top layer of the fabric, usually via the needle holes in the seams or the seam allowance itself. As cotton is not waterproof the moisture is quickly evident and spreads over the surface. Wicking also occurs on polyester PULs/fabrics (usually plain-coloured PUL) but is not so severe, which is why plain PUL is the most reliable outer layer for a pocket nappy.
Solutions:
Wicking cannot really be avoided and is inevitable when a cloth nappy is worn for an extended period (over a couple of hours). It can be reduced by ensuring an insert of the correct size and absorbancy is used and the nappy is not too tight. The needle holes can sometimes be rminimised by heat treatment (placing nappy in a hot tumble dryer for 30 minutes). Waterproof sprays, such as Nikwax, can also be used to help seal seams. For heavy-wetting babies wicking can be quite a problem, in which case cotton-based outer layers are probably best avoided.
Signs:
- gradual spread of dampness across outer cover, usually from legs
- can occur at any time during wear
- insert usually not saturated
- most usually seen on cotton-based PUL and outer fabrics
Causes
The signs of pressure wicking are similar to ordinary extended-wear wicking but are caused not by gradual seepage over time but by pressure forcing fluid to the front of the fabric. The most usual cause is from a nappy being too tight or too tightly stuffed.
Solution:
Move up to a bigger-sized nappy or readjust the fit. Reduce the size of the insert, if required.
Signs:
- gradual spread of dampness across cover from legs and/or waist
- occurs after a few hours wear
- insert saturated
Causes
Infrequent changing! Disposables contain chemicals which solidify fluid allowing the nappy to be left on for considerable periods of time (often contributing to skin irritation). Cloth nappies do not have these properties and will need changing more often. Cloth can be used for extended periods (e.g. overnight) but pocket nappies are rarely suitable for such times as they cannot usually be made absorbant enough without becoming too bulky. Most users choose pocket nappies for their trimness and there is a clear compromise here between that trimness and long-lasting performance. A cotton-based pocket nappy will probably need changing every 2-3 hours (depending on child) to avoid wicking. A polyester-based pocket may well last around 4 hours if stuffed appropriately. It is not realistic to expect disposable longevity in a cloth nappy!
Signs:
- saturation of outer cover at any place on the nappy
- can occur at any time during wear
Causes
PUL-based nappies, like any garment, will eventually wear out. The waterproof laminate on PUL is very long-lasting but will eventually break down (especially if in prolonged and regular contact with vinegar, ofteh used as a softener in laundering). When this happens moisture can pass through the fabric to the nappy outer from any point, rather than just the seams as happens with wicking.
Solutions
Sometimes the life of the nappy can be extended with heat treatment (30 minutes in a hot tumble dryer) or by spraying the inside of the waterproof fabric with a re-waterproofing spray (such as Nikwax). But these solutions probably won't last long and inevitably the nappy will need to be recycled.
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