Compression leaking

If you are dealing with nappies that leak, you may hear people talking about compression leaking.  But what exactly is a compression leak and how do you deal with it?

 What is compression leaking?

You might sometimes hear compression leaking called compression wicking, but it is exactly the same thing.  As you might imagine from the name, compression leaking or wicking is caused when the nappy is compressed.  Basically the insert is squeezed and the liquid comes out.  Because there’s nowhere for it to go, it often leaks out past the PUL outer or cover.  Compression leaking often happens when your little one gets older and is doing larger wees and is sitting.  The combination of a very wet nappy and the nappy being squeezed because your baby is sitting, can cause this compression leaking to take place.

Do all nappies suffer from compression leaking?

Usually compression leaking only happens when you are using microfibre on it’s own, and you don’t tend to see it when you have a natural fibre in the insert.  As you may have discovered microfibre nappies absorb lots of liquid and dry quickly, but they also act like a sponge.  They can soak up lots of liquid, but squeeze them, and it will all come out, this is why nappies that just have microfibre in them as the insert, can be prone to suffering from compression leaking.  As I mentioned before, it often occurs as your baby gets older, and some people suddenly find that they are having leaking issues when it has never happened before.  Microfibre holds liquid between the fibres, rather than in them as a natural fibre will do.  This means that they don’t hold onto the liquid as well as natural fibres will do.  They can absorb liquid quickly, and dry quickly, but it also means that compression leaking can be an issue.

How to deal with compression leaking

As I already mentioned, compression leaking is usually caused by a microfibre insert being squashed when it’s full.  This doesn’t mean that you need to throw out all of your microfibre inserts or nappies if it starts happening to you.  Microfibre actually makes a great cloth nappy insert, but it works best when used with another, natural fibre.  The best way to deal with compression leaks is to add a booster made of natural fibre.  Cotton, hemp and bamboo will all work well, and the combination of microfibre and one of these natural fibres will make a well performing and very absorbent cloth nappy.  Simpy adding an extra insert made of one of these fibres should solve your compression leaking issues.