Packing Your Baby's Daycare Bag
Let’s pack your baby’s daycare bag! Whether you’re a first time mom getting ready to send your baby to daycare for the first time, or you’re a seasoned daycare mom, my hope is that this information could serve as a reminder or a way to think of things differently! And for some this may be new information!
Daycares have different protocols, so always talk to your baby’s care provider about their preferences for sending stuff in, communication, handling medications, feedings, etc. Maybe this post will spark some ideas for questions to ask your daycare provider!
Let’s get into it!
TIP 1: Use an old backpack, instead of your favorite diaper bag.
Don’t send the fancy diaper bag you registered for (use that on your time!), and consider using an old tote or old backpack! Many families bring the daycare bag in daily or weekly, stocked with items based on your daycare’s protocols. This bag is going in and out of daycare often and therefore can easily get dirty and collect germs, so that’s one thing to consider. Having a bag specifically for daycare, also prevents parents from having to constantly switch out what you need for daycare versus normal outings with their baby! It’s easier to just keep daycare “stuff” separate— you can grab your designated bag and run out the door faster knowing you have what you need! And you won’t forget things your baby needs for daycare come Monday morning after a weekend at home.
TIP 2: Know what items your daycare requires you to bring in versus what they supply.
Of course, each daycare will have their own protocols in place that should be discussed prior to sending your baby to daycare (ie: transportation of items, keeping items stocked, sending things home, etc). Ask them all the questions before your baby’s first day! Usually daycares have some form of communication to let you know what your baby did that day, what they ate, and if they need anything restocked at daycare. I think it’s important to stay on top of those requests to help make sure your child has everything they need and to make sure the daycare provider can do their best with what you’ve provided for your child.
Having two of things when able, can be so helpful as well, meaning you can keep a designated group of items for daycare versus home/your own diaper bag. Some daycares may have parents leave their items at the daycare for use there (ours does!), so you wouldn’t have access to it when you need it at home. This also helps prevent you from forgetting to transfer things back and forth between bags. (IE: taking the sunscreen from the daycare bag on the weekend for your diaper bag, then forget to put it back Monday for daycare!)
TIP 3: Think through everything your baby may need.
When packing my baby’s bag for daycare, I can be a little type A. I’m trying to think of all of the things my child will need to feel comfortable, safe, and secure throughout the day away from home and away from me. So first I think “what does my baby need to be comfortable for sleep?” My oldest son had a lovey he slept with and was attached to, so I always made sure to send that to daycare for him so he would feel safe and secure. Does your child use a specific sleep sack? Or need a pacifier to fall asleep? I always made sure those types of things were easy for the care provider to find. Then I think of things like “What does my baby need for feeding times?” and “What does my baby need to go outside?”
I like to keep packing bags like the daycare bag and diaper bag easy by breaking it up into categories.
Bottles/Food: Milk and/or formula (your facility should give recommendations on how they want this sent — ie: ready to feed in bottles, one feeding bottle and portioned storage bottles, etc), bibs, solid foods (based on daycare protocols whether sent or provided there), ice packs, cooler for milk
Diapering: Diapers, wipes, diaper cream, burp cloths, two extra changes of clothes and socks
Comfort: Fitted crib sheet, swaddle sack or swaddle blanket, pacifier, lovey, family photo
Outdoor Gear: Hat (sun hat or beanie based on weather), sunglasses, sunscreen, bug spray, coat or jacket as needed
Medicines: Prescription, dosing and instructions, syringe, medication all together
*If you are sending in medication, label it, and discuss with the caregiver ahead of time- timing, dosing, what it is, what it's for, how to best (easily) give your child the medicine.
Another thing I consider is how I can make the life of the caregiver I’m entrusting my baby to all day easier? I try to remember that they’re caring for not only my child, but several other people’s as well, so I want to make their lives as easy as I can. I try to pack the bag in a way that makes everything easily accessible. I try to have outfits ready to go, rolled up into themselves, so that they don’t have to search for pants and then socks separately. I make sure the pacifier is in a labeled container, so they don’t have to dig in the bottom of the bag. Being considerate and thoughtful towards your child’s daycare providers can be helpful!
bonus Tip:
Don’t send baby in your favorite outfit — send something you don’t mind them getting dirty. Of course you’ll have the typical spit up/blowout messes that won’t get cleaned right away, but (especially as babies get a bit older), daycare may do some fun (sometimes messy) safe age-based sensory activities. And once baby is mobile and crawling around, they’re picking up all the things on those clothes too, so either way, your baby may come home from the day a little messy and it’s best to not be worried about keeping their daycare clothes clean.
TIP 4: Make sure you have everything labeled.
Label everything— no, seriously. There are amazing dishwasher safe vinyl labels and stickers (extra great for washable items like bottles, but can be put on anything!) There are also amazing “clothing stamps” to stamp your child’s name into their clothing, or just a plain old permanent marker works just fine too! This keeps things from going home with the wrong family, things getting switched on accident, and baby being fed the wrong bottles. It really is just best to keep everything in order and this will make things easier on your daycare provider.
