What to pack in your child's daycare bag
It's one of the most stressful milestones for a parent: letting someone else watch your child for the first time. I remember being so worried when it was time for my baby to go to daycare, and I wasn't sure what she would need or how we would both get through the day. But now we've got the routine down and the socialization has been so great for her! So here's what you need to pack in your child's daycare bag:
Diapers.
It depends on how many your baby uses throughout the day, but on average we have been fine sending about 10-12 diapers in her bag. Our daycare provides wipes (and diaper cream as needed), but your daycare may be different. See if they want you to provide those items, or specify that you want them to use your products if you have a certain brand that works best for your baby.
A change of clothes.
Our Little is always a mess after daycare. Sometimes she has blowouts and needs a change, sometimes she spills her lunch all down herself and needs a change. I'd recommend at least one change of clothes packed in a Ziploc bag which the daycare workers can use to send the soiled clothes home.
Breast milk and/or formula and + bottles.
Here in California, state law requires that all breast milk and/or formula be labeled with the child's name and date and it can not be saved for the next day. I just use masking tape and a marker as it's easy to remove at the end of the day without leaving behind sticky residue. When I was pumping I would just send all my small Medela bottles labeled with her name and the date and then they would attach a nipple or pour them into one of her baby bottles as needed. I picked up the leftovers at the end of each day. Formula got poured down the drain as it doesn't have a long shelf life anyway, but I kept my breast milk bottles well labeled to be sure she was drinking it all without wasting a drop within the recommended three day time period.
Milk.
For toddlers, we just send a big thermos of whole milk and her sippy bottle and they fill it as needed. I also send her smaller sippy cup which is filled with water for her meals. Tip: label everything, even bottle caps, as several children may use the same brand and you want to make sure your items are used only for your child and come home at the end of the day.
Prepared meals and snacks.
Our daycare has meals available for purchase, but I think it is healthier and more affordable to prepare her meals myself. I got our Little this adorable lunch box which comes with a container that we fill with meat and veggies in the big compartment and fruit in the smaller compartment. I also bought these mini food storage containers which fit perfectly inside her lunch box. I'm able to pack her a full breakfast, lunch and snacks and she proudly carries it herself.
Plastic bib.
Our Little kept coming home with her lunch all down her front after daycare. I loved that they were letting her independently feed herself, but I didn't understand why they weren't using one of the bibs in her bag. Well it turns out they didn't know it was there! Now I put a plastic bib inside her lunchbox so it's easy to spot and put on her. It's also easy to wipe clean and use for the next meal, unlike a fabric bib!
Comfort item.
This one is tricky. Our daughter needs her pacifier to sleep, but usually when I pick her up they can't find it. So I'm not sure if other babies take it from her or she just loses it in all the fun, but we've lost several pacifiers this past year. Our daycare says the child can bring a comfort item for nap time, but to be prepared for it to get dirty or lost. They actually prefer that kids not bring something personal because sometimes it can cause an argument among kids. I'll leave that decision up to you and the advice of your daycare.
Medications.
If your Little is on medication, make sure it's packed (with a syringe if needed) and specific dosage and application instructions.
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Diapers.
It depends on how many your baby uses throughout the day, but on average we have been fine sending about 10-12 diapers in her bag. Our daycare provides wipes (and diaper cream as needed), but your daycare may be different. See if they want you to provide those items, or specify that you want them to use your products if you have a certain brand that works best for your baby.
A change of clothes.
Our Little is always a mess after daycare. Sometimes she has blowouts and needs a change, sometimes she spills her lunch all down herself and needs a change. I'd recommend at least one change of clothes packed in a Ziploc bag which the daycare workers can use to send the soiled clothes home.
Breast milk and/or formula and + bottles.
Here in California, state law requires that all breast milk and/or formula be labeled with the child's name and date and it can not be saved for the next day. I just use masking tape and a marker as it's easy to remove at the end of the day without leaving behind sticky residue. When I was pumping I would just send all my small Medela bottles labeled with her name and the date and then they would attach a nipple or pour them into one of her baby bottles as needed. I picked up the leftovers at the end of each day. Formula got poured down the drain as it doesn't have a long shelf life anyway, but I kept my breast milk bottles well labeled to be sure she was drinking it all without wasting a drop within the recommended three day time period.
Milk.
For toddlers, we just send a big thermos of whole milk and her sippy bottle and they fill it as needed. I also send her smaller sippy cup which is filled with water for her meals. Tip: label everything, even bottle caps, as several children may use the same brand and you want to make sure your items are used only for your child and come home at the end of the day.
Prepared meals and snacks.
Our daycare has meals available for purchase, but I think it is healthier and more affordable to prepare her meals myself. I got our Little this adorable lunch box which comes with a container that we fill with meat and veggies in the big compartment and fruit in the smaller compartment. I also bought these mini food storage containers which fit perfectly inside her lunch box. I'm able to pack her a full breakfast, lunch and snacks and she proudly carries it herself.
Plastic bib.
Our Little kept coming home with her lunch all down her front after daycare. I loved that they were letting her independently feed herself, but I didn't understand why they weren't using one of the bibs in her bag. Well it turns out they didn't know it was there! Now I put a plastic bib inside her lunchbox so it's easy to spot and put on her. It's also easy to wipe clean and use for the next meal, unlike a fabric bib!
Comfort item.
This one is tricky. Our daughter needs her pacifier to sleep, but usually when I pick her up they can't find it. So I'm not sure if other babies take it from her or she just loses it in all the fun, but we've lost several pacifiers this past year. Our daycare says the child can bring a comfort item for nap time, but to be prepared for it to get dirty or lost. They actually prefer that kids not bring something personal because sometimes it can cause an argument among kids. I'll leave that decision up to you and the advice of your daycare.
Medications.
If your Little is on medication, make sure it's packed (with a syringe if needed) and specific dosage and application instructions.
What would you add to this list? Find me on Facebook and let me know!
www.Facebook.com/ListsForLittles
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