Cloth Diapers Leaking at Night? Try These Tips

One of the most serious drawbacks of cloth diapers is that, while they work well at night for some babies, they leak terribly for others. As the mother of a baby who wets heavily at night, I feared at one point that I would have to give up cloth and switch to disposable diapers at night. Fortunately, however, there are a number of easy solutions to the problem of a heavy-wetting, cloth diapered baby.

Use Pocket Diapers with Doubled Inserts.

Some pocket diaper inserts can hold up to the task of keeping a heavy-wetting baby dry at night, but other babies require diapers that work double-duty. If pocket diapers are your preferred night-time diaper, try placing two, or even three, inserts into the pocket. If possible, consider using an oversized diaper to make the task of double-stuffing a cloth diaper more feasible.

Use Covers, even on All-in-Ones and Pocket Diapers.

Even diapers that don't ordinarily require covers can benefit from a cover at night. If your family uses all-in-ones or pocket diapers for your heavy-wetting baby, try adding PUL diaper covers, like Bummi's Super Whisper Wraps or Proraps, to your bedtime cloth diapering routine. These covers, used in conjunction with an all-in-one or pocket diaper, are practically bullet-proof.

Double or Triple-Layer Prefolds.

It may be uncomfortable during the day to layer prefold cloth diapers one on top of the other, but it's one of the only ways to make them truly leak-proof at night if your baby wets heavily. Try laying two, or, if possible, three diapers and snapping or pinning them as usual, then use a PUL cover to add leak resistance. The result will stop leaks from even the heaviest-wetting cloth diapered baby.

Use a Soaker or Added Front.

Many cloth diapering outlets and work-at-home-moms make soakers or fronts to add to almost any kind of cloth diaper. These absorbant strips of hemp velour, fleece, or cotton soak up baby's urine and stop bed-time leaks. They wick moisture away from baby's body, also possibly preventing diaper rash and other irritations.

Strip your Diapers of Ammonia.

If all else fails, ammonia or detergent build-up in your cloth diapers might be the culprit. When chemicals build up in a diaper's material, it impairs the diaper's ability to soak up liquid, causing leaks.

Even babies who wet very heavily can still be cloth diapered at night. With patience and the willingness to try new options, it is easy to discover a leak-proof diapering method that works for every baby.