As any new parent knows, babies need a lot of diapers — newborns can go through 12 diapers in a single day! So, why not make this essential item the centerpiece of a baby shower or baby sprinkle

Diaper cakes do just that. Although making a diaper cake may sound complicated, it's a lot easier to create this DIY baby shower gift you might think. Here, learn everything you need to know about creating a unique diaper cake centerpiece that any mom-to-be will love.

What is a diaper cake?

Unlike a real baby shower cake, a diaper cake isn't edible. It's a cake-shaped structure built out of diapers and covered in decorations like flowers or stuffed animals. It usually has two or three tiers that are wrapped in ribbon to resemble icing on a cake. 

You can customize the design of a diaper cake to align with your baby shower theme. Although a straightforward cake is the most common shape, some baby shower hosts make diaper cakes that look like cars or animals. Unicorns and elephants are popular choices!

Why should you make a diaper cake?

Whether you are hosting or attending a baby shower, making a diaper cake is thoughtful idea. Diaper cakes make for an adorable centerpiece, but they're an incredibly practical gift, too.

Diapers can cost around $70 to $80 month per baby, so sending the mom-to-be home with a diaper cake after the shower can help her save on diapering costs down the road. Some baby shower guests incorporate additional supplies into the cake (such as baby wipes and diaper rash cream) to make the gift even more useful.

How many diapers do you need for a diaper cake?

This depends on the size and shape of the diaper cake you're creating, but you'll probably need anywhere from 38 to 64 diapers for a three-tier cake.

A good way to calculate the number you need: Decide how wide you want the bottom of the cake to be and estimate how many diapers it will take to build that base. From there, think about how many tiers you want.For each tier, divide the number of diapers in the tier below it by two to determine about how many diapers you will need for that layer.

For example, a three-tier cake might have a bottom layer made with 32 diapers, a middle layer made with 16 diapers and then a top layer made with eight diapers.

How to make a diaper cake

They may look complex, but do-it-yourself diaper cakes are surprisingly easy to make in a few simple steps (and a little bit of patience). You probably have most of the supplies you need at home, and you can customize your diaper cake with decorations of your choice.

Watch the tutorial below for a step-by-step guide:

Supplies

  • Cardboard
  • Double-sided tape
  • Rubber bands
  • Scissors
  • Twine
  • Washi tape
  • Paper towel tube
  • Scotch tape
  • Ribbon
  • Diapers
  • Decorations

Instructions

  1. Tape the paper towel tube to a piece of circular cardboard.
  2. Roll up diapers, and tie them with rubber bands.
  3. Tie the diapers in rings around the tube.
  4. Stack additional rings of diapers on top.
  5. Wrap ribbon to hide the twine.
  6. Put washi tape around the edge of the cardboard.
  7. Stick letters onto the ribbon, or add any other decorations you'd like.