Tots Bots nappies leaking like crazy!

[Perseo]

Hi,

I've not long had a set of tots bots nappies for my son who is 5 months old. I had a chance to try them before buying and they worked well, but after a couple of uses, the ones I've bought (bought new) have all started to leak within an hour of putting them on.

Has anyone else had this kind of problem?

I've tried all the different fastenings and tried putting them on with and without liners but the same seems to happen - as they're supposed to last quite a few months size wise I don't think its because he's outgrown them.

My only worry is that I've washed them on too high a setting or with the wrong type of detergent, they have been going in together on 40 or 60 degrees depending on how messy they are but I remember the packaging saying 60 degrees was ok. I use persil but wondering whether I should have used the detergent they recommended.

Its fast not becoming an environmentally sensible option with the amount of clothes I'm washing after leaks so hoping for some ideas or advice!

Thanks!

The type of detergent shouldn't be a major problem, but don't use too much.
You haven't used softener on them have you? That would seriously reduce their absorbancy and could cause them to leak.

Do they seem fully soaked or is there still room for more pee?
If they aren't full, it would seem probable that they aren't fitted properly or that the cover is not fitted properly.
What kind of cover are you using over them?
Is the cover a good fit?
Does the cover fit over the nappy completely? If any nappy pokes out from the cover, it will quickly cause the pee to wick from the nappy to the clothes.

Is he leaking out of the top of the nappy?
Is it possible that he is peeing straight up and out of the waistband?
It's important to make sure his willy is pointing downwards to be sure that he pees into the most absorbant part of the nappy.

I'm not sure what other advice to offer without more information.
Does any of this sound like the likely cause?

Did you pre-wash the nappies before using them? When nappies are new, the fabric is full of stuff that seems to repel rather than soak wee. After 2 or 3 washes the stuff has washed away sufficiently to make them absorbent and after 6 washes or do they should be able to soak up loads.

If you've used fabric softener it will have the same effect. You're best to wash them once and then put white vinegar in the drawer during the rinse cycle to strip any softener from the nappy, then wash them again.

It's recommended to only use half your normal dose of washing powder, as this can build up in the fabric too.

I haven't been using fabric softener on them, they've been washed about 9 times I reckon now. They're the all in one type of nappy rather than the two parters - I do sometimes think that they are sitting quite low down on him so will try again tomorrow and see if I can position them better. Its all coming out the front!

Have you tried putting in an additional booster? My DS is a heavy wetter, and we have to use extra boosters with the TotsBots nappies, ideally folded over at the front to add even more layers where he wees.

In my experience, extra inserts or boosters are essential. I use whole load of different ones but for a long time my favourites have been P'Tits Dessous bamboo inserts, Little Lamb bamboo boosters, and Blueberry Combi inserts. all are brilliant and fit really well, LL is slim and good for daytime/times when you can change fairly frequently, P'Tits dessous are bulkier and last for AGES. Blueberry inserts are somewhere in between. You can get them all from the lovely folk at Babybots.