Let's Talk LEAKS!
Having trouble with leaks? Here's a detailed guide from GroVia CEO/Founder Kim Ormsby to debunk some of the myths regarding leaks and help troubleshoot any issues!
1) Constant leaks with cloth diapers are NOT THE NORM. I have cloth diapered 6 babes and used easily 50 different styles/brands of diapers. The rare occasion I've gotten a leak I've been able to solve with a minor tweak.
2) There is nothing "magical" in cloth diapers. They all are comprised of an absorbent inner with a waterproof outer. They do not contain SAP gel that can absorb incredible amounts of liquid by weight like a disposable. Did you know the average disposable diaper can hold up to 10 pees?
3) If you buy a one size system there WILL be a time when you need to add a booster. Sized diapering systems (disposables included) don't generally have this issue because as you size up you get a bigger diaper....which is able to hold more liquid. A one size diaper is the same size....always.....as baby grows, their bladder grows, it holds more urine, baby pees more. You need a way to add absorbency. That is where a booster comes in.
4) Do not "strip" your diapers to solve leaks. 99% of the time a leak is due to fit, too long between changes or not enough absorbency, NOT BUILDUP. Detergent and bacteria buildup cause stink and rashes. They do not generally affect the ability of the fabric to absorb liquid. The ONE exception is if your diapers are coated in some sort of fat or oil (did you use a coating rash balm or wash your diapers in a high fat soap?). That is the ONLY time stripping will help with absorbency. Learn more
The very first thing you should ask yourself when you get a leak is: "was the inside of the diaper saturated". If the inside of your diaper is saturated and you have a leak, the SOLUTION IS: change more often OR add a booster.
6) Boosters....boosters.....boosters......don't underestimate the value of some boosters in your stash! You can buy ready-made ones, but you can also use a cloth wipe, a preemie prefold, a flour sack towel or even a cut up t-shirt.
7) Might be time to add absorbency in specific locations. Some babies are holders, flooders or tummy sleepers. They pee so fast and with such force that the diaper that worked so well suddenly just doesn't anymore. The offender is usually a toddler :-) This can generally be solved by placing extra absorbency right where they wet the most/fastest. For a boy or tummy sleeper, that would be in the front, and for a girl/back sleeper, it would be in the middle or back. You can do the "Soaker Swivel" with AIOs and O.N.E.s OR simply add a booster folded in half and and strategically placed in the diaper.
8) If you are getting a leak and the inside is not saturated you should first make sure you have properly PREPPED the diaper (washed and dried it several times), and then check the fit of the diaper. A cloth diaper performs best if the diaper is being held close to baby's body giving it the best opportunity to absorb the liquid quickly. On a one size diaper, that means snapping those rise snaps down and keeping them snapped down until you absolutely can't anymore!
9) Don't be afraid to ask and ACCEPT help....you can get it right here! Simply email customerservice@grovia.com or live chat with us. It will generally begin with us asking a bunch of questions (try not to get annoyed ;-) ) And, we may even ask you to send us a pic of your baby in the diaper. We're here to help and are pretty good at troubleshooting this sort of thing!
10) Remember.....babies are teeny humans who literally change overnight sometimes. What worked one day, may not work the next. This is true for how they eat, how they sleep, their moods and, yes, even how they use their diapers. Often the solution is just a little tweak to meet their new diapering need!
Happy Diapering!!!!!