Essential Daycare Supplies To Pack for Your Baby
Follow our checklist to pack everything your baby needs to be happy and comfortable at daycare.Fact checked by Karen CilliFact checked by Karen CilliWhether you are a brand-new or veteran daycare parent, it can be a challenge to get out the door in the morning. You have to remember to pack many things to ensure your baby has a good day, every day.Having a list of essential daycare supplies helps. The best way to pack for daycare is to have two bags: One that will stay at daycare all week and that you can replenish as needed and another that will go back and forth with your baby each day. Here, learn what goes in your weekly and daily daycare bags and how to pack items wisely.
Getty Images / Ruth Jenkinson
Must-Haves in Your Weekly Daycare BagIn the bag you pack that will stay at daycare all week, include items that you don't need to change out more than once every several days and can restock as needed—as well as back-ups for items you send daily.Crib sheetsSome daycare centers require you to provide crib bedding for your child. Although some centers have laundry services, pack an extra set of each to be safe. Some parents swear by sleeping with the sheets they send their child to daycare with—that way, your baby can be comforted by your scent during nap time.Extra clothesSend a couple resealable plastic bags with an extra outfit in each. Don't forget socks, because accidents can travel far! These extras can be kept in your bag that stays at the daycare. Caregivers can use the plastic bags to send home dirty clothes.Beware: Some things you send to daycare will get lost or ruined. Your baby is there to have fun, which includes playing with arts and crafts and maybe even food. Stains will happen. Avoid sending in clothing that can't be easily replaced.
Related: The Best Places to Buy Baby Clothes for Quality, Comfort, and Cuteness
BibsConsider purchasing a separate supply of bibs just for daycare. Include both small bibs for drooling (especially if your baby is teething) and larger bibs for mealtimes. For younger babies, consider packing burp cloths as well.Put your stash of bibs in labeled plastic bags to make transporting dirty bibs home much easier. Four or five of each size bib should be sufficient. Include a few extras in the labeled plastic bags in the weekly daycare bag.DiapersAt the beginning of every week, bring in a labeled pack of diapers to stay at daycare. Count on eight to 10 per day, but if you're unsure how many diapers your baby needs, better to send too many than not enough.If you're using cloth diapers, make sure to include extra plastic covers and a resealable bag or container for the dirty ones. At the end of the first week, assess how many diapers your baby used to get an accurate count of how many to send in the future.
Related: Here's How Many Wet Diapers a Newborn Should Have
Wipes and diaper rash creamSend a new container of wipes and diaper rash cream in your weekly bag. It won't hurt your daycare provider to have extra, and if too many packages accumulate, they can send them home with you periodically.
How To Label Your SuppliesLabel everything you send to daycare. There are many options available for labeling your child's clothes, bedding, and supplies. Permanent markers work well for plastic bags, diaper boxes, and other containers. Consider iron-on labels for blankets, crib sheets, and clothing. Masking tape, painter's tape, or wide rubber bands are all good options for labeling bottles.
Related: I Sent My Daughter to Daycare Instead of a Nanny and I Couldn't Be Happier
What to Include in Your Daily Daycare BagThere are some items you will want to send your child to daycare with every day. Getting the packaging right will keep your child healthy and your bag clean.Milk or formulaIf you are sending breast milk, ask your daycare how they want you to pack it. Some may ask that you send it in thawed. Others may have freezers and will want you to send in clearly identified frozen bags that they can defrost.If your baby drinks formula, pre-measure it in each bottle. If you use powdered formula, your daycare provider can add water at feeding time. Baby foodOnce your baby begins eating solids, you should pack labeled baby food jars or small plastic containers with screw-on lids that are labeled. Also, find out if you need to pack a bowl and spoon. If so, don't forget to label them. PacifierIf your baby loves having a pacifier, you may want to send your baby with a couple of favorites in a pacifier case or plastic bag every day, since they are easily misplaced. Pack an additional one for emergencies in your weekly diaper bag, too. MedicationsIf daycare policies permit, put together a bag of any medicine you would like your child to have if they are feeling uncomfortable. This bag might include a thermometer, pain reliever or fever reducer, and gas drops. Be sure to include a dropper as well.Write your child's name on the individual medicines as well as on the plastic bag or first aid bag.Spare plastic bagsBabies go through clothing, bibs, and more quickly. Daycare providers can put dirty items in these bags to send home with you at the end of each day.
Related: How to Get Kids Ready for Child Care
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