Parenting & New Baby Advice Blog

Archive for the ‘Diaper Cakes’ Category

What exactly is this thing called a diaper cake that everyone’s been talking about? It’s actually a very cute idea for a baby shower centerpiece or gift for the expectant mom at her baby shower. It’s a tiered “cake” made entirely out of rolled diapers. You can add as many tiers as you like to make it the center of attention or as few as you like to make it a simple gift. It’s great to bring to the hospital when you first meet the new baby or to give whenever a new baby is born. Here’s how to do it.

To start off you’ll need one large bottle of baby shampoo or lotion. This will be the base for your cake. You’ll need another small one, about 4oz. for the top tier. Then, you’ll need about sixty diapers for a standard three-tiered cake. You can choose to use either cloth diapers or disposables. Check with the new mom to see what she’s planning on using if you can. Select ribbon for the outsides of the cake that matches the shower décor. Gather up enough rubber bands to tie each diaper. Then, you’ll need some small baby supplies like travel sized powder, lotion, tiny thermometer, etc. These are for the outside to decorate the cake.

First, plan to arrange the cake on some sort of platter or disposable cake plate. Clear your area and start rolling up diapers. It’s easiest to do with disposable diapers because they’re already half folded. But if you are using cloth, just fold the diaper in half and then in half again and start to roll. Secure with a rubber band. Continue on for all sixty diapers.

To assemble, place the large bottle of shampoo or lotion in the center of the cake plate. Start adding the rolled diapers until you have on circle of diapers around the bottle. Secure the tier with wide ribbon tightly. Now, add the next tier. Do the same thing around the top of the bottle. Encircle it with the rolled diapers and secure with wide ribbon. For the third tier, place the small bottle of shampoo on top of the second tier. Use the rest of the diapers to create a small tip tier. Tie tightly with ribbon.

Use the extra supplies you have purchased to make a cute topper. A rubber ducky works well. Add the rest of the supplies by tying with ribbon onto the cake all around it. You can omit this last step if you like your cake the way it is. You can also sprinkle on baby-themed confetti that comes in the shape of ducks and baby bottles. You can find it at a craft store.

That’s it! Your cake is set to go. Present it to the hostess  and she may want to use it as a baby shower centerpiece. Or, just put it alongside the other gifts on the gift table. New moms love the gift of a diaper cake because as they disassemble it, they can use the diapers every day. It’s a gift that keeps on giving. Vary the sizes of the diapers if you like as moms tend to get more newborn diapers at their baby showers and then have to run out to the store as baby grows for the larger sizes.

If you are on the hook to throw a baby shower for a friend, family member or co-worker, you know how overwhelming it can be to get the event planned and make it fun. Relax! You’ll be the talk of the party when you use a baby shower diaper cake as the show piece of the shower. Not only will you have a great gift to give Mom after the party is over, but you’ll have the most unforgettable and unique centerpiece they’ve ever seen. A baby shower cake is a fully useable non-edible cake that is constructed from disposable diapers that are rolled up to form layers. Each layer is stacked on top of the previous one to form the tiers of the cake and tied with ribbons to hold the diapers and layers in place. Then, essential baby items like lotions, powders, manicure sets, teething rings and little toys are tucked in amongst the diapers. Often times the layers are wrapped or accessorized with themed receiving blankets, bibs, clothing and layette items, booties and more. These cakes make excellent gifts for a first time Mom who needs all the essentials or the Mom who is a pro because after-all, what Mom couldn’t use a few more diapers?

When it comes to diaper cakes, there are two options – make it yourself using instructions from somewhere like wikipedia.com or purchase one online from a reputable gift company such as Baby Gifts & Gift Baskets. This company offers cakes ranging in size from small cupcakes that can be used as centerpieces on individual shower tables to 5-tier masterpieces that look beautiful when displayed on the gift or buffet table at the shower. In addition to the various sizes, the baby cakes are available in numerous themes and color schemes for Mom’s expecting baby boys or girls (and even neutral for Mom’s who are waiting for the delivery). For boys, the most popular designs are Sports, Little Prince and Froggy themed cakes. For girls, Little Princess, Ladybug and Flowers tend to be the most popular choices. Just choose something to coordinate with your shower color scheme or theme. Better yet, choose a design to coordinate with the nursery if you know what Mom is planning. Cakes are even available personalized or designed for twin babies. Generally, prices range from around $20 for the cupcake size diaper cakes to upwards of $200 for the ultimate 5 tier cakes that are packed with diapers and tons of baby essentials.