Tips & Troubleshooting

TIPS

Take some time to get accustomed to your new diapering system, and don’t be afraid to play around with folding, stuffing and fastening, etc.

If you are making the switch to cloth diapers from disposable diapers, mixing your cloth diapering system with disposables in the beginning (for outings or overnight) can make this transition easier. Most parents find that using and washing cloth diapers is easier than they thought it would be, and quickly become avid full time users.

And if you are starting with a newborn baby, don’t be afraid to dive in full time with cloth diapers. It is pretty easy and you will get the routine down fast.

By the way, you may find that you will need to acquire baby clothes that can accommodate larger bums!

Important Reminders!

• Using a diaper cream? Please protect your diaper with a liner! We recommend not using ointments with petroleum, fish oils or zinc.

• Runny newborn poop? If using prefolds, use the fan fold. And don’t be afraid to try out the bikini twist! It may take a few tries to master it – but it works really well for runny poop. A Bio-Soft liner can also help to absorb runny poop.

• Be sure the diaper cover is fastened snugly enough so that it fits well and does not sag. Saggy diapers will leak! You will need to be especially careful to pay attention to this when your baby starts to walk!

• Reduce drying time by doing an extra spin cycle and/or throwing a dry towel or dryer balls into the dryer with your diapers.

• Don’t use dryer sheets, even in your regular laundry – they will leave a stubborn residue on everything you dry in your dryer!

• Dry your diapers occasionally in the sun – it brightens and disinfects.

TROUBLESHOOTING

Leaking problems?

Level 1

• Check the important reminders above

• Did you pre-wash your diapers and test for absorbance?

• Do you have the proper size of diaper and/or cover for your baby?

• Does the cover fit snugly around baby’s legs and belly? Is it fastened tightly enough to create a proper fit?

• If using a 2 part system, make sure that diaper and liner are completely contained inside the waterproof cover. Any bit of diaper left outside of the waterproof cover can cause leaking.

• Don’t tuck your diaper into that front flap on the inside of the diaper cover - it is meant to prevent leaking through the sewing line!

Level 2

• Is there leaking straight through the fabric of the diaper cover?  Is the suede cloth on your synthetic diapers repelling moisture completely? Unless you are using diaper creams without a liner, then you have a detergent residue problem. This is caused by:

1. not using enough hot water to wash and rinse or

2. using too much detergent or

3. using a detergent with additives

Please see our info sheet on residues!

• Are you changing your baby’s diaper often enough? Newborns need to be changed about every 2 hours! A huge advantage of using cloth diapers is that you know when your baby’s diaper is wet, so you change their diaper more often.

• Is your baby going through a growth spurt or sleeping more soundly at night? If so, you may need to add a diaper doubler or liner for increased absorbency.

• Are you reaching the limit of the diaper’s size range? If so, you may need to add a diaper doubler or liner for increased absorbency.

Smelly Diapers or Diaper Covers?

Once washed, your diapers should not smell like urine or detergent!

• If they smell of detergent, wash them again in plenty of hot water and less detergent.

• If they smell like ammonia once your baby wets them, make sure that you are using enough hot water and enough detergent.

• Do your diapers smell clean when washed, but utterly horrible after the first pee? This could mean that urine residue is trapped within the fibres of your diapers, and this is always related to washing and rinsing without enough hot water. Urine residue can also lead to diaper rashes. You probably need to adjust the water level in your machine or ”trick“ your HE machine to increase the water level by adding one or two wet towels. Do not overstuff your machine – wash fewer diapers at a time.

• Are your diapers and diaper covers stinky or discoloured? Then it is pretty clear that you have a detergent residue problem!

Please see our info sheet on residues! You will have to get rid of the residue problem and adjust your washing routine to ensure that it does not happen again.

Does Your Baby Have a Recurring Rash in Cloth Diapers?

Please suspect a residue. Your baby will react to a urine residue in the diaper fabric.  Some babies are also very sensitive to detergent residues. If your baby is rashy and your diapers are discoloured or smelly – please take action to resolve your residue problem. See our info sheet on residues!

Remember that customer service is our passion and contact us if you have questions! We would love to help you find a solution.