Do tight clothes cause nappy leaks?

Yes, they can

Nappy leaks usually come down to the nappy itself: the wrong size, not fastened snugly, or not changed often enough. But clothes play a part too. A bodysuit, sleepsuit or waistband that is too tight presses on the nappy and can push wetness out towards the edges before it soaks in, usually at the waist or the leg openings.

If leaks start suddenly with the same nappy you have always used, and nothing else has changed, check the clothes. Babies can grow out of a sleepsuit’s length before they grow out of its width, and that is often when leaks begin.

Signs it’s the clothes

• Leaks happen at the waistband or up the back more than at the legs.
• The bodysuit or sleepsuit snaps are straining over the nappy.
• There are red marks at the waist or thighs.
• Leaks mostly happen when your baby sits, such as in a high chair or on a lap, when the tummy pushes against the waistband.
• Leaks started around the time clothes started feeling snug.

Sleepsuits and bodysuits

One-pieces are the most likely culprits, because they stretch over the nappy from shoulder to crotch. When a baby gets longer, a suit that still fits round the tummy starts pulling down on the shoulders and up into the nappy. If you have to tug the snaps to close them, it’s time to go up a size.

Footed sleepsuits like the Sky Blue Striped Elephant Footed Sleepsuit should close easily over a night-time nappy with a little room to spare. Night nappies are often thicker, so a suit that is fine in the day can be snug at night. Check lengths in our size guide.

Waistbands

Joggers and trousers with a firm waistband can press on the front of the nappy when your baby sits or leans forward. Soft elasticated waistbands, like the one on the Navy Moon & Stars Henley & Jogger Set, spread the pressure better. A waistband should let you slide a finger in comfortably with your baby sitting down.

Stiff trousers, like jeans or heavy twill, press harder than soft knits, so for long car journeys and naps a softer pair is kinder to the nappy as well as the baby.

Choosing clothes with nappy room

When you buy, look at the shape below the waist as well as the print. Rompers with a rounded, bubble-shaped bottom, like the Sky Blue Sailboat Polo Romper, are cut to sit over a nappy, and joggers with a deeper seat leave more room than slim, straight trousers.

Hold the garment up and compare the length from shoulder to crotch with your baby lying down: if it only just reaches, it won’t reach over a full nappy when they sit. Between sizes, choose the larger one for one-pieces, since a little extra length is far less trouble than snaps that pull.

Other things to check

• The nappy size: many brands go by weight, so check the pack after a growth spurt.
• The frills around the legs of the nappy should sit outwards, not tucked in.
• For boys, point the penis downwards before fastening.
• Night-time nappies may need to be a size bigger or a more absorbent type.
• Change nappies before long car journeys and naps.

Cleaning up

For leaks on clothes, rinse in cold water as soon as you can, then soak in water with a little detergent before washing. Drying light pieces in the sun helps fade any marks. Our guide on how to wash baby clothes has more.

If leaks have left your baby sitting in a wet nappy for a while, check their skin for soreness and ask your doctor or pharmacist about nappy rash that doesn’t settle. For leaks that reach the neckline, see changing a messy top without pulling it over their face.

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