Nappy Fund Wording for Baby Shower Invitations

Nappy Fund Wording for Baby Shower Invitations

A nappy fund is the most practical thing you can ask for at a baby shower, and the hardest thing to word. You know your guests would rather chip in for something you'll actually use than buy a fourth swaddle set, but "please give us money for nappies" looks blunt on a pastel invitation.

This guide gives you nappy fund wording you can copy straight onto an invitation, an e-invite or a sign at the shower — short lines, rhyming nappy fund poems, and broader baby fund wording for when the money is going towards more than nappies. It's written for Australian showers, so the etiquette, the spelling and the gift amounts reflect what actually happens here, not a US "diaper raffle" template.

If you'd like guests to give online instead of handing over cash at the door, you can set up a free baby shower wishing well page and put the link or a QR code on the invitation next to your wording.

Last updated: September 2026.

Key takeaways

• A nappy fund is a wishing well with a named purpose. Guests contribute money towards nappies (and usually wipes and other consumables) instead of buying a physical gift. Naming the purpose is what makes the ask feel reasonable rather than transactional.
• The best nappy fund wording is three short beats: thank guests for coming, mention the fund as an option, give a light reason ("we're stocking up on nappies"). Never name an amount.
• Guests give happily without prompting. Across 364 completed baby shower gifts on PocketWell, the median contribution is $75, and just over half land on exactly $50 or $100.
• A typical baby shower fund on PocketWell collects around $650 from six contributors — enough to cover a good chunk of the first year's nappies.
• Gift requests are acceptable on shower invitations (unlike wedding invitations), because a shower is a gift-giving event by definition. You still keep the wording gentle and optional.

What's on this page

• What is a nappy fund and how is it different from a wishing well?
• How much do guests actually give to a baby shower fund?
• What short nappy fund wording works on an invitation?
• What nappy fund poems can you use?
• What baby fund wording works when it's not just nappies?
• How do you word a nappy fund without sounding pushy?
• How do you set up and share a nappy fund online?
• Frequently asked questions
• Final tips before you send the invitations

What is a nappy fund and how is it different from a wishing well?

A nappy fund is a baby shower gift collection where guests contribute money towards nappies and other newborn consumables instead of buying a physical present. It's simply a baby shower wishing well with a specific, named purpose — the money is the same, the framing is different.

That framing matters more than most parents expect. A general "wishing well" asks guests to give money for nothing in particular. A nappy fund tells them exactly what their $50 turns into: roughly a fortnight of dry bottoms. In the gifting world this is called contribution gifting — guests give a share of one meaningful thing rather than buying a standalone gift — and it's the reason nappy funds feel warmer than a plain cash request.

Nappies are the obvious purpose because the numbers are so relatable. The Raising Children Network notes newborns need frequent nappy changes — for most families that means somewhere between six and ten nappies a day in the early weeks. Even at a conservative 8 a day, that's close to 3,000 nappies in the first year. At roughly 20–50 cents each for disposables, depending on the brand, nappies alone cost most Australian families somewhere between $600 and $1,400 in year one before wipes, creams and nappy bags. (That's our arithmetic from those assumptions, not a survey figure — swap in your own brand's price if you like.)

A few related terms you'll see, so you can pick the right one for your invitation:

• Nappy fund — money towards nappies specifically. The most common label in Australia.
• Baby fund — a broader pool covering the nursery, pram, car seat or general baby costs.
• Nappy cake or nappy tree — a decorative gift made of nappies, brought by a guest. Not a fund.
• Nappy raffle — the Australian version of the US "diaper raffle": guests bring a pack of nappies for a raffle ticket. Fun, but it means storing 30 packs of size-1 nappies your baby may outgrow in a month.

If you're weighing up cash versus physical gifts more generally, our guide to essential baby items vs cash gifts walks through what new parents say they actually needed.

How much do guests actually give to a baby shower fund?

Guests give a median of $75 to baby shower funds on PocketWell, with the middle half of gifts sitting between $50 and $100. You don't need to suggest an amount on your invitation — guests already know what feels right.

Here's what the real numbers look like. These figures come from completed gifts on baby shower pages run through PocketWell — that's our own platform data, not neutral third-party research, so treat it as a real-world reference point rather than a rulebook.

Methodology note: these ranges reflect real gifting patterns seen across PocketWell's baby shower pages, aggregated and rounded, with no individual gift or host identifiable. They sit alongside the broader Australian etiquette references cited in this post.

Two things in that table should shape your wording. First, round numbers dominate — most guests reach for $50 or $100 without being told, so any wording that hints at an amount just adds awkwardness. Second, 81% of guests write a message with their gift. Leave room for that: an online nappy fund that lets guests add a note gives you a keepsake, not just a balance.

And if you're the guest rather than the host, our guide to how much to give at a baby shower in Australia breaks these figures down by relationship.

Baby showers are also one of the four most common occasions we host, alongside weddings, birthdays and honeymoon funds — so a nappy fund on an invitation won't raise eyebrows. Interestingly, only a handful of baby shower pages on PocketWell actually use the words "nappy fund" in their title or welcome message; most are worded as a general baby wishing well. Naming the purpose is an easy way to stand out and make the ask feel concrete.

What short nappy fund wording works on an invitation?

The best nappy fund wording for an invitation is two or three short sentences: a thank-you, the fund as an option, and a light reason. Real hosts on PocketWell write baby shower welcome messages of about 45 words — three short sentences — so aim for that, not a paragraph.

Copy any of these straight onto a printed invite, an e-invite or the details card. Swap in your names and the link or QR code.

1. "Your presence is the only present we need. If you'd like to give something, we've set up a nappy fund — every contribution keeps our little one dry and us sane."
2. "No gifts necessary! We're stocking up on nappies for bub's arrival, so if you'd like to help, a small contribution to our nappy fund would be gratefully received."
3. "We have the cot, the pram and far too many onesies. What we'll never have enough of is nappies — a gift to our nappy fund is the most useful thing you could give."
4. "In place of gifts, we're running a nappy fund. Scan the QR code to contribute online, or simply come and celebrate with us — that's what matters most."
5. "Please don't feel you need to bring a thing. For anyone who'd like to, our nappy fund is open online — no wrapping, no carrying, just nappies sorted."
6. "Bub's arriving in November and we're preparing for the great nappy mountain. If you'd like to help us climb it, our nappy fund link is below."
7. "We'd love your company more than anything. If a gift is on your mind, a contribution towards nappies and wipes would help us enormously in those first sleepy months."
8. "Instead of a gift, we're asking for help with the one thing every baby needs by the hundreds: nappies. Our nappy fund is online — thank you for being part of this."
9. "Our nursery is full but our nappy drawer is empty! Contributions to our nappy fund are welcome online, and totally optional."
10. "No presents please — just bring yourselves. A nappy fund is available for anyone who'd like to contribute, with love and thanks from the three of us (almost)."

Notice what every line does: it makes the fund optional, it says why, and it never mentions a dollar figure. That's the whole formula for nappy fund baby shower wording that lands well with grandparents and mates alike.

Want to see what your fund might collect? Try the baby shower wishing well calculator — pop in your guest count and it'll give you a realistic range based on the figures above.

What nappy fund poems can you use?

A nappy fund poem is a short rhyme, usually four to six lines, that makes the request feel light and playful. Rhyming wording is popular on Australian baby shower invitations because it softens the money ask — the guest smiles first and reads the details second.

All eight poems below are original, so you can print them without worrying about copying a template site. Pick the one that matches your tone.

1. The classic

Our nursery's ready, the cot's by the wall, But a baby goes through nappies — hundreds in all. If you'd like to help with our little one's needs, A gift to our nappy fund is the kindest of deeds.

2. The short and sweet

Nappies by day and nappies by night, Our little one's coming and we're travelling light. No need for presents, just come and have fun — But if you'd like to give, our nappy fund's the one.

3. For a second (or third) baby

We've got the pram, the cot and the toys, Hand-me-downs waiting for our new little joy. What we'll run out of is nappies, it's true — So a nappy fund gift is the best thing to do.

4. The modern QR-code version

Skip the wrapping, skip the shops, Nappies are where our budget stops. Scan the code if you'd like to share — Every contribution shows you care.

5. The funny one

A newborn, they say, is a bundle of joy — And a mountain of nappies for our girl or boy. Ten a day is the going rate, So a nappy fund gift would be truly great.

6. The gentle, no-pressure one

Your company is the gift we treasure, Your hugs and your laughter beyond all measure. But if you'd like to give something too, Our nappy fund is there for you.

7. For twins

Two little bottoms means double the fun, And twice the nappies before the day is done. If you'd like to help with our nappy supply, Our nappy fund's the place — no need to buy.

8. For cloth-nappy parents

We're choosing cloth for our little one's bum, Reusable, gentle, and kinder to come. A nappy fund gift helps us build up the stash — Modern cloth nappies, no landfill, no trash.

A quick tip on poems: put the poem on the invitation and the practical detail (the link, the QR code, "or bring cash on the day") in one plain line underneath. Rhyming the payment instructions never works.

What baby fund wording works when it's not just nappies?

Baby fund wording invitation lines work the same way as nappy fund wording, but name a broader purpose — the nursery, the pram, the car seat, or simply "the first year." Use this version when nappies are already covered or when you'd rather guests contribute towards a bigger item.

Baby shower money fund wording tends to fall into three purposes. Here's how to word each one.

Towards a big-ticket item

1. "We've fallen in love with a pram that's a little beyond us. If you'd like to give, our baby fund will go towards it — and we'll think of you on every walk."
2. "In place of gifts, we're saving for bub's car seat and cot. A contribution to our baby fund, big or small, would help us bring them home safely."

Towards the first year in general

3. "Bub has everything a tiny person could need. To help with the first year — nappies, formula, and all the surprises — we've set up a baby fund online."
4. "Your presence is our present. If you'd like to give, our baby fund helps with the day-to-day costs of a new little human."

Towards a savings start or future

5. "We're starting a little nest egg for our newest arrival. If you'd like to add to it, our baby fund is open — a head start we'll tell them all about one day."
6. "Rather than gifts, we'd love to grow a small savings fund for bub's future. Every contribution, however small, is a page in their story."

Combining a fund with a short registry

7. "We've kept a small list of essentials for anyone who'd like to shop, and a baby fund for anyone who'd rather not. Either way, thank you."

If you want more general baby shower phrasing to pair with these — for the invitation header, the RSVP line, or a sign on the day — our baby shower wishing well wording guide has dozens of examples grouped by tone.

How do you word a nappy fund without sounding pushy?

Nappy fund wording sounds pushy when it names an amount, uses "must" or "should," or leads with the money before the thank-you. Keep it optional, keep it short, and put the gratitude first — the same rules that apply to any wishing well.

The reassuring part is that gift requests are considered perfectly acceptable on baby shower invitations. The Emily Post Institute, the most widely cited etiquette reference, draws a clear line here: registry and gift information doesn't belong on a wedding invitation, but it's fine on a shower invitation, because the entire purpose of a shower is to "shower" the parents with gifts. A nappy fund is just a modern, practical form of that.

Where hosts trip up is tone. Here's the difference in practice:

A few more habits that keep nappy fund wording on the right side of the line:

• Never state or hint at an amount. As the data above shows, guests land on $50 or $100 on their own more than half the time.
• Give guests an out. "Optional," "if you'd like," and "no gifts necessary" cost nothing and change the whole feel.
• Say why. Nappies are a reason everyone understands. A purpose turns a cash ask into a shared project.
• Keep the money mechanics off the invitation. Put the link or QR code on the invite; the payment details live on the page, not in your poem.
• Let the shower host carry the message. If a friend or sister is throwing the shower, it's a little softer coming from them ("The parents-to-be have set up a nappy fund…") than from you.

Many Australian families find a nappy fund is actually less awkward than a wishing well at a wedding, precisely because the purpose is so concrete. Nobody wonders what the money's for.

How do you set up and share a nappy fund online?

You set up a nappy fund online by creating a free baby shower wishing well page, naming it your nappy fund, adding two or three sentences of wording, and sharing the link or QR code on your invitations. It takes a few minutes and costs the host nothing.

Here's the whole process on PocketWell:

1. Create your baby shower page. Choose the baby shower event type, add your names (or bub's nickname) and the shower date.
2. Name it and add your wording. Call it "Baby [Surname]'s Nappy Fund" and paste one of the lines above into the welcome message. This is what guests read when they open the link.
3. Share it. Copy the link onto e-invites, texts and the family group chat, or download the QR code for printed invitations and a sign on the day. This is QR-code activation — the moment a guest can scan and give from their phone in seconds, contributions stop depending on who remembered cash.
4. Let guests give their way. Guests pay securely with Apple Pay, Google Pay or a debit or credit card, and can leave a message with their gift. No app to download.
5. Watch it come in. Your dashboard shows every gift and message as it arrives, and you can export a report for thank-you cards afterwards.

The money side is deliberately simple. PocketWell is free for hosts — no setup fees, no subscriptions — and hosts receive 100% of the gift amount. Guests cover a 3.5% platform fee plus standard payment processing, shown before they pay. Payouts are sent weekly on Tuesdays via Stripe; most arrive 1–3 business days later, and the first payout takes 5–7 business days while Stripe verifies your account. Full details are on our fees and payouts FAQ.

One timing tip from our own data: 65% of baby shower gifts arrive before the shower date, and a further 28% land on the day itself. So share the link with the invitation, not just at the party — most guests give the moment they RSVP.

Frequently asked questions

Q: Is it rude to ask for a nappy fund on a baby shower invitation?

A: No — asking for a nappy fund on a baby shower invitation is widely considered acceptable, as long as the wording is optional and gracious. Etiquette references such as the Emily Post Institute distinguish showers from weddings here: a shower is explicitly a gift-giving occasion, so mentioning how you'd like to be gifted is expected rather than presumptuous. The tone is what matters. Lead with a thank-you, frame the fund as one option ("if you'd like to give"), give a reason, and never mention an amount. Written that way, a nappy fund reads as practical and thoughtful, not grabby. If you're nervous, let the shower host include the line on your behalf — it lands even more softly coming from them.

Q: How much should guests give to a nappy fund?

A: Guests typically give between $50 and $100 to a nappy fund, based on completed baby shower gifts on PocketWell, where the median contribution is $75. Close friends and family often sit at the top of that range or above; colleagues and acquaintances usually give less. You shouldn't put any of this on the invitation, though — it's guidance for guests, not a request from hosts. If a guest asks you directly, "whatever feels right" is the only answer you need; the data shows they'll land on a round number on their own.

Q: Should I say "nappy fund" or "wishing well" on the invitation?

A: Say "nappy fund" if the money is genuinely going towards nappies and consumables, and "wishing well" or "baby fund" if it's for something broader. A named purpose gets a warmer response because guests can picture what their gift buys. On PocketWell, most baby shower pages are still worded as a general wishing well, so calling yours a nappy fund is a simple way to make the ask more concrete. Whichever label you choose, the rest of the wording stays the same: thank guests, make it optional, give a reason, skip the amounts.

Q: Can I do a nappy fund for a second baby?

A: Yes — a nappy fund is arguably the most appropriate gift request for a second or third baby, because you already own the big-ticket items and nappies are the one thing you'll genuinely run out of. Keep the shower itself low-key (a "sprinkle" rather than a full shower is common), and word the fund with a nod to that: "We have everything from the first time around, except nappies." Our guide to second baby shower etiquette covers when a wishing well is appropriate and how to keep it modest.

Q: Where do I put the nappy fund wording — invitation, e-invite or sign?

A: Put a short version on the invitation (or e-invite) and a matching sign at the shower. The invitation line does the explaining and carries the link or QR code; the sign is a gentle reminder for anyone who forgot or prefers to give on the day. Keep the invitation wording to two or three sentences — real PocketWell hosts write around 45 words — and let the poem, if you're using one, sit above a single plain line with the link. Don't put payment instructions on the invitation itself; the page handles that.

Q: What if some guests would rather bring actual nappies?

A: Let them. The kindest nappy fund wording always leaves room for guests who prefer a physical gift — a line like "a pack of nappies in any size is always welcome too" costs nothing and covers grandparents who like to bring something. Ask for a range of sizes (newborn packs get outgrown fast), and consider adding a short registry link beside the fund for anyone who wants to shop. The fund and the packs aren't competing; both end up on the same change table.

Q: Do I have to thank people for nappy fund contributions?

A: Yes — thank every contributor individually, just as you would for a wrapped gift. Online nappy funds make this easier because 81% of guests on PocketWell leave a written message with their gift, and your dashboard keeps a list of who gave and what they wrote. Export the report after the shower and work through your thank-you cards or messages from there. Mention the nappies: "Your gift bought us a month of dry nights" makes a contribution feel seen in a way "thanks for the money" never does.

Final tips before you send the invitations

Nappy fund wording works when it's short, optional and specific. Thank your guests, tell them the fund exists, say it's for nappies, and stop there — the data says they'll do the rest on their own.

A last checklist before the invitations go out:

• Read it aloud. If a line would make your nan wince, soften it.
• One purpose, one link. "Nappy fund" plus a QR code or short link. Don't add bank details, amounts or instructions to the invitation.
• Poem on top, practical line underneath. Rhyme the sentiment, never the logistics.
• Share early. Most gifts arrive before the shower, so the link belongs with the invitation.
• Plan the thank-yous. Keep the messages your guests write — they're the best part.

Whether the shower is in a Sydney backyard, a Melbourne café or a Brisbane park, the wording above will read as warm and ordinary — which is exactly what you want.

Ready to set up your nappy fund? Create your free baby shower wishing well — it's free for hosts, takes minutes, and your guests can give from their phone.