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Nighttime Cloth Diapering for a Heavy Wetter

The light went on a few months ago and I realized that cloth diapers at night can be a reality; however a breathable diaper at night is virtually impossible for my daughter.

I tried to use a wool cover with over 16 layers of cotton and 1 wool soaker for my daughter a few times when she was 4 months old. At 3 in the morning she was too wet and had to be changed. Looking back she did have on a lot of layers, but the wool cover may have needed to be lanolinzed to repel the water from coming out as easily.

After the failed attempt at cloth at night I used a disposable for over a year. I surly got my moneys worth out of almost every diaper; however, I wanted to try cloth again at night to save money and to see if it could be done.

For 7 months I have been using a Fuzzy Bunz with 3-4 microfiber or hemp inserts. My daughter goes from pants that can barely stay up during the day to the largest diaper butt at night. In the morning she is super soaked and the micro fleece is wet. At 25 pounds she has outgrown the FB Petite Mediums and now I am on a search for a better night time system.

I have made a few hemp prefolds and will be making some covers, but what is the best size and layering for such a heavy volume pee for nighttime comfort.

I have searched & combed internet, but it seems that the heavy wetters are still finding what works best for them during the night.

I think I have found the answer, but I haven’t had the time yet to make my dream diaper. From reading other posts she will most likely need fitted/ semi-fitted diapers that are equivalent of 2 ½ hemp terry prefolds or 4-8-4 layers. The reason for the fitted diapers so her butt isn’t so large and the fabric is all around her bum area. A pocket diaper is nice; however, it has all the layers centralized in the middle giving her a giant waddle.

I must use a cover and not a wrap or there will be leaks. A wool cover will most likely work best; however, I have already purchased several yards of WindPro and so I won’t be using wool.

I plan on using a modified pattern for both the cover and fitted diaper from the DIY section of http://www.thenappynetwork.org.nz

The biggest problem will be to design a quicker drying diaper and one that doesn’t keep all the moisture right next to her skin. As soon as the hemp terry comes in, I will start the sewing process and see if my DD can have a trimmer bum at night and be somewhat dry by her skin in the morning.

5 Responses to “Nighttime Cloth Diapering for a Heavy Wetter”

  1. Shayne Says:

    your site is great, I tried to make a Blog site a few months ago and I jsut could not get into it, but I really like yours.

    Shayne

  2. Amy Says:

    I had the same problem w/ cloth at night. And also used disposables for a year. I found little lambs adjustable covers, a tri fold microfiber, and a 4×8x4 cotten worked for us. But it’s the polar flece liner that made the difference, keeps them rash free longer. She didn’t seem to mind the bulk, night time nappies were huge!!!
    I like your site too, Shayne sent me.
    :) Amy

  3. Shannon Says:

    I love the wool cover that I bought forever ago and just started using. It really is fabulous! I do feel like I need to use a sealable diaper inside though, which isn’t a problem. Josiah seemed a little frustrated with not being able to kick his legs once and immediately be standing up…

  4. Kristen Says:

    I now use Crickett’s diapers (www.crickettsdiapers.com/) with a wool or a Prowrap cover. DD #1 does not use diapers; however, #2 was a heavier wetter than #1. At about 6 months DD started voiding less at night (down to 2-3 layers from 3-4 layers) and if she does have a heavy night these diapers are the best thing for the right price (only $12.00 for a fitted hemp diaper). Crickett’s are 9 total layers, so a bit bulky and they take a long time to dry; however, I highly recommend them to people who have heavy wetters. While being bulky, they are much trimmer than what I was using before. I could sew a similar diaper; however, I don’t have the time and the price is right.

  5. Kristen Says:

    Still loving these diapers after 1 year. I still use Crickettsdipers.com in size large for my newborn and 1 year old. They are starting to show signs of wear, but this only has to do with the hemp material and nothing to do with Crickettsdiapers. I think the only way to make these wear less would be to have 3 layers in the body so that it would not stretch so much when you fold down the diaper.

    I also think that size small would fit my daughter even now that she is 27 lbs. She is still on the small setting and she has a small rise so we fold down the top every time she wears them.
    We fold the large diaper down 3 times for our newborn so that it has a smaller rise and then snap them withe the cross over snaps.

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