How to Build a Diaper Cake with Overnight Diapers for Baby Showers
By Honest Baby and Beauty Company | The Honest Company | Published: 2026-10-19
Category: How-to Guides
Learn to build a practical diaper cake using overnight diapers for baby showers. Step-by-step tutorial with tips for a gift that lasts through the night.
Quick Answer
Swap standard diapers for overnight diapers in your diaper cake to give new parents longer stretches of sleep. The same tiered rolling technique works, but you need a few extra supplies to handle the thicker absorbent core.
Why overnight diapers make a better baby shower gift
Standard diaper cakes look cute, but they often get used up during the day. Overnight diapers are designed to hold more liquid and keep babies dry for 10–12 hours, which means the gift directly supports better sleep for both baby and parents. Most diaper cake tutorials skip this swap, so you'll stand out by building something that solves a real problem.
The trade-off is that overnight diapers are bulkier. You'll need a wider base, stronger elastic bands, and more ribbon to keep the layers tight. The finished cake will also be heavier, so a sturdy cake board or tray is essential.
Step-by-Step: Building an Overnight Diaper Cake
- Gather your supplies: You'll need 50–70 overnight diapers (size 1 or 2), a round cake board or sturdy tray (12–14 inches wide), rubber bands, ribbon, and decorative items like baby socks, washcloths, or a small toy. Overnight diapers are thicker, so plan for a wider base than a standard diaper cake. Don't use a flimsy cardboard base—overnight diapers are heavier and will cause the cake to tip.
- Roll each diaper tightly: Roll each overnight diaper from the waistband toward the absorbent core. Secure with a small rubber band. Because overnight diapers have extra padding, they won't roll as tightly as standard diapers. That's fine—just make sure they hold their shape. If the roll is too loose, use a second rubber band. A tight roll is key to a stable cake.
- Build the bottom tier: Arrange the rolled diapers in a circle around a central core (like a rolled baby blanket or a bottle of baby lotion). Use a large rubber band to hold them together. For overnight diapers, aim for 20–25 rolls in the bottom tier to accommodate the extra bulk. If the circle looks uneven, adjust the number of rolls. Overnight diapers may need fewer per tier than standard ones.
- Add the second and third tiers: Repeat the rolling and arranging process for smaller tiers. Use 12–15 rolls for the middle tier and 6–8 for the top. Stack each tier on top of the previous one, securing with rubber bands. Use ribbon to hide the bands and add a decorative finish. Make sure each tier is centered before tightening. A lopsided cake is hard to fix once the ribbon is on.
- Decorate and attach a note: Tuck small baby essentials (socks, pacifiers, washcloths) between the layers. Attach a card explaining that the diapers are overnight style, so the parents know to use them for longer sleep stretches. This small detail makes the gift more thoughtful. Avoid heavy decorations that could unbalance the cake. Stick to lightweight items like bibs or small plush toys.
Diaper cake products to consider
- Diaper Cake, Above It All: The Standard Diaper Cake, Above It All includes 35 size 1 diapers plus shampoo and body wash. If you want a ready-made option with fewer diapers, this is a quick gift. But for overnight use, you'd want to supplement with extra diapers or choose a deluxe version.
Diaper Cake, Above It All - Diaper Cake, Turtle Time, Deluxe: The Deluxe Diaper Cake, Turtle Time includes 70 size 1 diapers and bubble bath. 70 diapers give you a solid two-tier cake. The bubble bath adds a pampering touch for the parents, which makes the gift feel more complete.
Diaper Cake, Turtle Time, Deluxe - Diaper Cake, Above It All, Deluxe: The Deluxe Diaper Cake, Above It All also includes 70 size 1 diapers and bubble bath. Same diaper count as the Turtle Time but with a different print. Choose based on the nursery theme or parent's style preference.
