A diaper cake is one of the most popular gifts for baby showers, christenings and gender reveals. It looks like a real cake, but it's made of rolled-up diapers, ribbons and small gifts instead of sugar and cream. Best of all? You can make one yourself at home — and in this guide, we'll walk you through exactly how, from materials to finished decoration.
What is a diaper cake?
A diaper cake is a decorative creation made of rolled-up diapers built up in tiers, just like a cake. It works both as a centerpiece on the party table and as a practical gift, since the recipient gets to use the diapers afterwards. Small gifts like pacifiers, socks or baby blankets are often tucked in between the tiers, too.
What you'll need
Before you get started, it's a good idea to gather all your materials. A typical medium-sized diaper cake takes roughly 50–75 diapers, but it depends on how big you want it to be.
- Diapers – count on 50–100, depending on the size of the cake. If the cake is a gift for a new parent, the smallest sizes work best, since those are the ones the family will actually need first. Take a look at The Mini 3–5 kg or The Newborn 4–7 kg in bamboo – soft on the skin and a safe choice right from the start.
- Rubber bands – one around each rolled-up diaper.
- A sturdy base – a round tray, a cake stand or a cardboard disc covered in paper.
- A center column – an empty paper roll, a bottle of baby lotion or a plant stake to hold the tiers together.
- String or extra rubber bands – to hold each tier together before you decorate.
- Satin or silk ribbon – to hide the rubber bands and give a lovely finish.
- Decorations – pacifiers, a teddy bear, a baby blanket, signs or anything else that fits the theme.
- Cellophane – if you want to wrap the finished cake, both to make it feel more luxurious and to make it easier to transport.
- Scissors and tape
Think about theme and color at this stage, too. Pastels, beige and green are popular gender-neutral choices, while pink and light blue are still classics if you already know the baby's sex.
Step by step – how to build your diaper cake
1. Make a sturdy base
Place your tray, cake stand or covered cardboard disc on a flat surface. Tape the center column (a paper roll or bottle, for example) right in the middle – it's what keeps the whole cake stable, especially if it needs to be transported.
2. Roll the diapers
Roll each diaper loosely from the opening toward the edge, a bit like a Swiss roll, and secure it with a rubber band so it doesn't unfurl. This is the most time-consuming step, but it goes quickly once you find your rhythm.
3. Build the first tier
Place the rolled-up diapers snugly around the center column in a circle until the whole base is covered. Secure the tier with a string or a large rubber band around it.
4. Build upwards
Continue with a new, slightly smaller tier on top of the first. Use fewer diapers the higher up you go so the cake gets a natural, cone-shaped silhouette – just like a real cake. Want a classic three-tier cake? Repeat the step one more time.
5. Tuck gifts between the tiers
Now is a great time to tuck smaller gifts in between the diapers – pacifiers, washcloths, a little toy or a piece of chocolate for the new parent.
6. Decorate with ribbon
Tie satin or silk ribbon around each tier to hide the rubber bands and strings. It's the detail that takes the cake from "homemade" to "professional."
7. Top it off and decorate
Finish with a decoration on top – a teddy bear, a sign that says "Oh Baby" or a miniature stroller are popular choices. Feel free to add flowers, greenery or other trimmings along the sides to match the baby shower theme.
8. Wrap in cellophane (optional)
If you want to protect the cake in transit or give it an extra-luxurious feel, wrap it in cellophane and tie a big ribbon around the top.
Common questions about diaper cakes
How many diapers do you need for a diaper cake? It depends on the size: a small cake takes roughly 25–40 diapers, a medium one 50–75, and a really lavish version can need 100 or more.
Which diaper size should you use? Size 2 or 3 is often recommended, since they fit most babies for a longer period and are easy to roll. A good tip is to mix sizes – for example newborn size plus a larger size the baby can grow into – which gives you both variety and a practical gift.
Can you make the diaper cake in advance? Yes, a diaper cake keeps well for several days if stored somewhere dry, so you can easily build it the day before the party.
Does the cake have to contain only diapers? No, many people mix in products for the new mum, like nursing pads and skincare products, or build a completely different shape than a classic cake – a castle, a car or a bouquet, for example.
Choose the right diapers for your diaper cake
Since a diaper cake is usually given before the baby is born, or shortly after, it's smart to choose the very smallest sizes – those are the ones the family will use first. Two great options in soft bamboo:
- The Mini, 3–5 kg – 200 diapers per pack, perfect for a little newborn. Plenty of diapers to build the cake with and still have some left for everyday life.
- The Newborn, 4–7 kg – 216 diapers per pack, a safe choice if the baby has already grown a little.
Both are made from OEKO-TEX®-certified bamboo fibers, gentle on newborn skin and free from harmful additives, perfume and latex – so beyond making a lovely decoration on the cake, they're also a thoughtful gift the new family will actually use.
Make your own diaper cake – ready to get started
Making a diaper cake is a simple, affordable DIY project that's perfect for a baby shower, christening or gender reveal. With a little patience, some ribbon and a sturdy center column, you can create a unique gift that's both decorative and practical – a gift that truly gets used after the party.
Want to get started right away? Order soft bamboo diapers in the right size – The Mini 3–5 kg or The Newborn 4–7 kg – and build a diaper cake that's as loved as it is practical.