As your maternity leave is coming to an end, you are probably beginning to think about daycare. Preparing for daycare can be an overwhelming experience. You are emotional about leaving your baby or toddler with someone else after you have spent however long caring and spending nearly every moment with them. I remember I cried when I dropped my daughter off at daycare for the first time; she was only three months old and I couldn't imagine anyone else caring for her like my wife and I had. The last thing on my mind was what to pack for her. Hopefully this post will provide some help in deciding what to pack for daycare so you can savor your last few days with your baby before you return to work.
What to Pack for Your Toddler/Infant for Daycare
1. Diapers, Wipes, Diaper Cream.
If your child is in diapers, ensure you provide a pack of diapers and wipes. Consider how many diapers your child goes through a day when you are deciding on how many to send at a time. Babies tend to use 8-12 diapers a day depending on their age so plan accordingly. Toddlers on the other hand use less. Our 1 year old goes through about 5-8 diapers a day, but we still like to give them a pack at a time because that way we know it will last awhile.
Understand that wipes may be used for things other than diaper changes. We usually send a pack of them and then we are notified when we need to provide more.
Diaper cream is also helpful to pack for daycare. That way if the daycare notices the beginning of a rash it can be treated immediately rather than having to wait until your child gets home. Note that your daycare may ask for you to sign a form that gives them permission to use diaper cream.
2. Extra Outfits
Whether your is still baby spitting up, or your toddler is smearing their lunch all over themselves, it is important to pack extra outfits for daycare. We tend to pack at least 3 extra outfits in sealable storage bags. These storage bags will come in handy as the soiled clothes can be placed in them and sent back to be cleaner. Make sure to pack season appropriate clothes, winter jackets for the colder months, and shorts and short sleeves shirts for the hotter months. Some daycares may ask that you provide a bathing suit and towel for waterplay during the summer. Don't forget an extra pairs of socks, if your child is anything like mine you can expect to lose some socks, only for them to be sent home months later when they are finally found. It is important that you label everything you send with them, not only clothes.
3. Meals, Snacks, Bottles/Sippy
We always thought we overdid it in the food department, but everyday our daycare would tell us she is always hungry and needs more food. We provide breakfast and lunch for our daughter and plenty of snacks. Make sure to ask whether the facility has the ability to reheat foods because not all daycares do and ask for a list of acceptable foods to bring and what not to bring such as peanut butter.
For formular bottles, ask how your daycare would prefer you to send your formula. Our facility gave us the option to leave them with the container so they could make it there or send them premade. Obviously if you are still breastfeeding you would send them bottles premade. Measure how much your baby drinks in a day and then provide one extra bottle to daycare just in case. Trust me you would rather send too much than not enough.
4. Bibs
Bibs, especially for toddlers, are a must. We tend to send 4-5 to daycare for the week. Bibs are important because they can prevent avoidable outfit changes. Send them in resealable storage bags like the extra outfits so when they are dirtied they can be sent back in them.
5. Naptime Items
What to bring for naptime is based on your child's age. For a baby and a younger toddler who is still in a crib, we were required to provide sheets. You may also want to bring your child's favorite stuffy or blanket (if they are older than 12 months) or a sleep sack or swaddle for younger babies. Older toddlers will most likely be sleeping on cots. You will probably need to provide a mat for the cot, a blanket, and it some cases the cot itself. Check in with your daycare to see what they require for nap time.
6. Misc. Items
Sunscreen
Medicine/Pain Relievers (Some daycares may not give medication)
Favorite toy/blanket
Pacifier
Extra Sippy cup
Conclusion
Being prepared for daycare takes some of the stress away from that first day. I hope this list helps make the transition from being home with your child to daycare an easy one. Know that with the right facility and teachers, daycare can be a wonderful experience for your little one. They learn to socialize with others and they will learn new skills from their friends. Our daycare workers have become close friends of ours and we are so lucky to have them in our daughter's life. As long as you come prepared and label everything, you are already well on your way to a positive experience.
Thanks for reading!
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References
Kay, S. (2022, November 28). Essential items your toddler needs for daycare. Verywell Family. https://www.verywellfamily.com/new-toddler-daycare-room-list-3544804
Preparing for the first day of child care. Bright Horizons | Preparing for the First Day of Child Care | Bright Horizons®. (n.d.). https://www.brighthorizons.com/resources/Article/Preparing-for-the-First-Day-of-Child-Care
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