Cloth Diapers. How Well Do They Work?

So I bought a cloth diaper from a Canadian supplier. It's pull up style, and supposedly has 5 layers of absorbent flannel, and is advertised as being super thick. Today I put it on with plastic pants over top (as the flannel diaper has no outer lining) and thought instantly "Wow this is different." It fit so much more loosely than any disposable, and it's a size small. The waist and leg openings are absolutely fine, but the seat of this thing droops so low. Later on, when I had to use it, I started peeing, and it felt exactly like I was just peeing into three pair of underwear that were too big for me in the crotch area. But still, it held fluid, or so I thought. I went to sit down, and noticed that most if not all of the urine was sitting in a pool at the bottom of my plastic pants, and had passed right through the flannel. And no I didn't flood it; it had plenty of time to absorb and do it's thing. So is this experience unique? Or is this just how cloth diapers are? I've heard people in the past rave about how cloth is so much better than disposables, and how it out performs any disposable on the market. Maybe I'm mistaken, idunno. What am I missing here?

Sounds like they were not thick enough. I used to wear terry nappies to bed and they were always wet by morning but never pooling in my plastic pants.

Im a big fan of cloth diaper but i also use a tranquility topliner contour pad. i find that they keep my skin dryer plus make cleaning up the messy one easier. some cloth diaper sold are for just play not meant to be used the same way a real baby diaper would be used. all i can say is look around what is cute and super baby may not be right for you.

The only time pee pools in my rubber pants is when the diaper wont hold anymore! I like my cloth diapers thick! You can use small ones inside the pull on ones or get some diaper stuffers! The thicker the better!!

I and my mommy and older sister sooooo much prefer me to be diapered into cloth diaper.Yes you will need plastic panties with cloth diapers ALWAYS. To help with the drooping thing,I would suggest a onesie,it always help me.I would also suggest more diapers or a diaper doubler insert to help with the pooling of your pee pee!!!

Remember all cloth diapers need to be washed a couple of times before using them to make them more absorbent. I find that pee will pool in plastic pants only when the diaper is over soaked.

Good point, I forgot to prewash mine. I'll run them through a few more cycles and see how they hold up. Probably wouldn't hurt to order some inserts as well.

I use cloth diapers exclusively and yes, the bottoms can look bulky. I solved that by wearing pants that hold them tight to my body. My source was on line from Age Comfort in Canada, http://agecomfort.com/products/abena-abri-fix-soft-cotton-m-with-legs.html

I'm sure they can be purchased in USA. Alternately just a tight pair of boxer shorts will work.

The secret to no leaks is lots of cloth. And of course decent plastic pants or bloomers.

I've gone into cloth diapers for my bedwetting and they work spectacularly, compared to disposables. They're also a lot more comfortable.

They are thick and indiscreet. I haven't found a way of getting around that.

If those pull-ups are from kins in Canada, they definitely need some inserts for overnight use. I bought mine one smaller and they are very snug, even when soaked. They don't leak - haven't yet anyways.

Also be sure to keep the elastics of the plastic pants at least 1 inch away from the cloth material otherwise wicking will occur - leaks

I buy the all in ones from kins and they really hold a lot more than paper. As you go, the fabric wicks the liquid and you can feel it as it works its way up. They absorb quite quickly, which is why I wear them to bed. They are nice and comfortable dry and I also wear them wet. The paper ones only soak in strip through the middle - cloth, the entire diaper gets soaked.

I always wear cloth diapers,in the daytime for a few hours out side home,iwill use a double adult prefold and three toddler cloth prefolds in the middle ass soakers.at night I sleep like at least 9 hours.i wear a double adult prefold with 4 toddler cloth prefolds and 4 inserts as soakers.if I an wearing this set longer,i will add 4 orgainic birdseye flats fold in thirds for 12 layers in the middle.i pin tight and always cover with a spacious plastic pull on pant.i never leak and no pooling.i can go up to 12 hours in this set.you always need to prep new diapers ,wash them multiple times and dry.i prefer to line dry in nice weather,then put diapers in a dryer for 15 minutes to fluff up.never add chlorine bleach to diaper wash in large quantitys.it can eat the fabric up.hanging in the sun ,is a natural bleaching agent,great for stains and whitening.