Which Baby Items Should You Pack for Daycare?

Is your baby about to start daycare? For as excited as you surely are to step into a more independent routine, this transition can feel stressful for many reasons. Will your baby miss you too much? Will they get sick? What if there’s an emergency? And the topic at hand: What if you forget something your baby needs at home?

Beginning daycare is a big change, and it’s normal to have all these concerns. Eventually, you and your baby will settle into the routine. But we’re here to help that process go as smoothly as possible. Read on to learn which baby items you should pack for daycare so you can leave with peace of mind and your little one has everything they need.

Diapering Supplies

Some daycares have diaper programs where they stock the supplies themselves, but others don’t. If it’s the latter for you, bring a well-stocked diaper stash to keep your baby comfortable and caregivers prepared for anything that happens between drop-off and pick-up.

Pack a generous stack of diapers, a full container of wipes, and a diaper cream. You might also want to pack a compact changing pad in case your daycare doesn’t use them or requests them.

Pro Tip

Label everything with your baby’s name, including the wipe container and cream. You don’t want anything to get mixed up with another baby’s supplies or lost in the back of a storage closet.

Extra Outfits and Layers

Babies explore the world with their entire bodies, which means their clothes get dirty. Your little one’s fresh daycare outfit might end up with a spill, spit-up, paint, or dirt on it by the end of the day. If you pack a change of clothing, then the staff can keep your baby clean and comfy all day long.

It’s also smart to account for your child getting too hot or cold. Dress them in layers that can be removed if need be, and bring along a jacket, extra socks, a hat, and other cozy pieces they love.

Place everything in a labeled bag or cube, so caregivers don’t have to weed through a jumble of fabric and other supplies.

Milk Supplies

Letting your child get fed by another person can be one of the harder parts of daycare to accept. You can make it easier by bringing all the right supplies and giving clear instructions.

What you bring depends on whether you’re breastfeeding or using formula. If the former, then pack enough pumped breast milk in labeled bottles. If the latter, then check if your daycare wants the formula premade or not. Some daycares prefer for you to bring the powder in a sealed container that they mix themselves.

In either case, write down how much your baby usually takes at each feeding, how frequently they eat, and any preferences about warming or pacing.

Solid Food Supplies, if Applicable

If your baby is consuming solids alongside breastmilk or formula, then you’ll have to plan for this too. First, check with the daycare to see if they provide solid food, as many do. If so, then you’ll just have to bring some snacks your baby loves (or full meals if they have allergies the center can’t accommodate).

If the daycare doesn’t provide any type of menu, then bring your own. Pack labeled containers with purees, soft finger foods, easy snacks, and a baby-safe spoon or fork. Think about options that travel well and stay fresh in the fridge all day.

Pro Tip

Even if you’re bringing all of your child’s food, you should still share any allergy information with the daycare in writing. Additionally, check with the center about nut policies, shared snack rules, and how they warm or serve food.

Comfort Items

Comfort objects let your baby carry a piece of home into the daycare classroom, which can soothe separation anxiety. A familiar lovey helps your baby feel brave during drop-off, nap time, and any overwhelming moments in between.

Some great options to bring include a soft security blanket, a gentle plush buddy, a spare pacifier clip, and a small cloth or bib with your scent. Label everything clearly with your child’s name, and talk with teachers about when they offer comfort items, how they store them, and what happens if something goes missing.

Pro Tip

Many parents like to keep a “daycare lovey” and a “home lovey” so the treasured favorite does not stay behind in a cubby overnight. But if your child is bonded with one and only one comfort object, bring it and just be extra careful about making sure it comes home with you.

Shop Bunnies by the Bay

If you want to buy your baby a special comfort item, Bunnies by the Bay creates cozy friends that are tailor-made for those big feelings and tiny hands. Our collections include soft lovey security blankets, huggable plush animals, and sweet custom baby boy gifts and baby girl gifts that make for personalized keepsakes. Each of our comfort items embodies warmth, quality, and story-driven charm, which suits little ones who carry a favorite friend to daycare, to Grandma’s house, and back home again.

Pacifiers and Teething Helpers

Related to comfort objects, pacifiers and teethers are important to bring. A familiar pacifier helps your baby self-soothe, and teething toys offer comfort when your baby’s gums get sore during the day.

Pack at least three pacifiers, a pacifier clip (if the center allows it), one or two teething rings, and a small, labeled container or pouch for storage. Let caregivers know when you prefer pacifier use, how you feel about naps with pacifiers, and when you limit them.

Health-Related Supplies

If your baby takes medication, bring it alongside written permission to administer, dosage instructions, emergency contact information, and any allergy or medical notes. Many centers require specific forms for medications, so check their policies before that first day.

Documentation

Most centers require you to bring various types of documentation, some of which we’ve already mentioned. Some common forms are as follows:

• completed enrollment forms
• health history
• shot record
• allergy forms
• emergency contacts
• custody or pick-up notes
• USDA application (if applicable)
• medication administration release (if applicable)

Be sure to check with your daycare about the specific documentation it requires.

Wrapping Up

Packing the daycare bag with all these baby items is one more place where your love for your child can show up in the details. In doing so, you build a bridge between home and the classroom where your baby learns, plays, and grows safely and comfortably.