How To Pack A Diaper Bag For Daycare In 2023

A Weekly Daycare Packing List for Babies

Your Daycare Packing List: 0-3 Months

Newborns are very fragile creatures. As such, it is important that you prepare ahead of time for the possibility that your child will be attending daycare while still under the age of 3 months old. 🍼

This includes preparing for the possibility that your baby might have trouble sleeping through the night. 😴

Here are things you should consider packing for your newborn’s first days at daycare:

Diaper Supplies

• • Disposable diapers 🧺
• • Wipes/toothpaste 🧹
• • Baby shampoo 🧴
• • A clean change pad 💺

Daycare Supplies at 3-6 Months

By four months, most babies are ready to start daycare. But it doesn’t mean you don’t need to prepare yourself for what lies ahead.

Here are some things you’ll want to keep in mind while sending your little one off to daycare for the first few times. 🚪

1. Diapers – If you’ve been exclusively breastfeeding, you’ll probably be bringing along enough diapers to last about four weeks. For those who formula feed, you’ll need to buy enough bottles to last about three weeks. 💩
2. Wipes – Pack a box full of wet wipes because you never know where you might find a sink. Also, take extra wipes just in case someone spills something on your baby. 🧹
3. Changing pad – Make sure you have a changing pad big enough to fit under a table or chair. 🧺
4. Feeding supplies – Don’t forget to include food and snacks for your baby. And remember to pack a bottle warmer. 🍼
5. Clothing – Bring clothing appropriate for both inside and outside. Your child needs clothes for different weather conditions. 👕
6. Toys – Take toys that are easy to clean and won’t break easily. 🧸

Baby’s Daycare Essentials: 7-9 Months

If your baby spends the majority of his or her time at daycare, ask what snacks and meals are offered. 🍼

Some centers offer healthy options like whole grain breads and fruit. Others prefer to stick with a bagel with cream cheese. 🍞

If possible, bring along some of your child’s favorite snacks so you know exactly how much to pack. 🧺

What You Need for Daycare: 10-12 Months

• Bring an extra pair of sneakers or moccasins along with the shoes they’re already wearing. 👟
• If a strap breaks or sole comes apart during playtime, they will still be free to explore. 🏃‍♂️
• Label the tag so it doesn’t get mistakenly paired with another toy. 🏷
• You may also want to consider keeping one at home just in case. 🏠

WHAT TO KEEP AT DAYCARE

Wipes

If you prefer something a little softer, look into cloth wipes. Cloth wipes are perfect for cleaning toys, furniture, and clothing. 🧹

They are also good for cleaning hands and face. Cloth wipes are typically sold in packages of 12 or 24 individual squares. 🧺

To keep your cloth wipes soft, store them in a ziploc bag or box away from heat and sunlight. 🌞

Diaper Cream

This diaper cream is designed to keep diapers soft and odor free. I actually don’t think I’ve ever used anything like this before. 🧺

It is super thick and smells amazing. You could use it everyday and never run out. 💪

Extra Clothes and Shoes

Your provider will give you any dirties clothes when you pick your kids up. Bring a clean set of clothing in the next day to replace the ones you brought. 👕

Do not send over-alls or skinny jeans because they are too bulky and could potentially cause harm to your child. Lace-ups and flip flops are also not recommended because they can slip off easily. 👟

Crib Sheets/Blankets

The baby care industry is one of the fastest growing industries in America.

There are over 2 million children enrolled in some type of childcare program today – about 5% of all kids in the United States. 🧒🏻

And while there are many different types of childcare programs out there, one thing seems to remain constant: babies need bedding. 🛌

While parents might think that buying a pack and play or crib mattress is enough, it doesn’t take long before those items start to wear out. 🛏

In fact, according to BabyCenter, every child needs a set of sheets, a blanket, and a stuffed animal at least once during his or her first year of life. 🐻

Diapers

The cost of diapers varies depending on where you live. In some areas, it costs less than $5 per diaper. 💰

However, in many places, it can run up to $20. Some parents spend hundreds of dollars every month just buying diapers. 💰💰💰

Sippy cups

A sippy cup is a great way to introduce your baby to drinking out of a cup. They are easy to clean and most importantly, they help teach your baby how to hold his/her head up while drinking. This helps prevent facial injuries and caries later on. 🍶

If you do decide to go with a sippy cup, make sure it is BPA free and has no plastic parts. Also, make sure to keep things simple and avoid adding extra ingredients like flavored liquids or straws. 🥤

Bib

We’ve tried many types of bibs over the years. Some work great, some don’t. Our favorite ones are the silicone bibs. They come in a variety of sizes, colors and styles. They’re easy to clean and wash. And best of all, they keep little hands out of foods you’d rather they didn’t eat! 🍽️

Daycare Bag

Our daycare provides a cubby area with one small plastic container where we can store our child’s things. We’ve found that most daycares don’t provide anything like this, so we usually end up bringing our own. 🧺

Extra clothing

Your baby will probably outgrow most of his clothes within the first few months. If he does slip into something dirty, it won’t hurt him too much. Just change him up and wash him off. 👶🏻

You’re doing the best thing for both of you. 🤱

Food

I took the box and put it away, thinking about how lucky we are to live in a world where we don’t have to worry about feeding ourselves. 🥙

But, I thought about the children that do not have access to food. 🍽️ And, I wondered if those kids ever felt like my daughter did when she couldn’t open the container. 🤔

Tissues

I’ve been using reusable tissues since I was a kid. They’re great because they don’t cost money, they’re biodegradable, and they keep me from having to buy boxes of Kleenex every week. 💰🌍🧽

Medications or items for allergies

Your child’s school might ask you to provide certain things 📦 to help keep him safe 💪 during the day.

This includes medication 💊 for allergies 🤧, asthma 🤧 and other conditions 🤒.

Scarf

Another mom 💁‍♀️ recommended that we get an all-inclusive 🌟 toque 🧤 and scarf 🧣. She thought it might save us time ⏰ and trouble 😞. And she was right! 💯 So now we always keep an extra pair of toques 🧤 and scarves 🧣 handy.

They are easy to pack away 🧺 and make getting ready for the kids 🧒🏼 even easier 🤗

Sun hat

During the late spring and summer months, our daycare recommended we give her a hat for protection against the sun.

We bought one that had a wide brim to cover her head and neck. She loves wearing hats, especially when she goes outside. Sometimes she even wears it inside.

Bibs

Even though it might seem like feeding times 🍴 are just about done 💥, you still want to keep your little one 🧒🏻 covered up 🧣 throughout the process 🧑‍💼.

A good rule of thumb 🤔 is to use a bib 🧺 whenever there are food particles 🍽️ in the air 🌬️ — whether it’s because of a messy eater 🤪 or a baby 🧒🏻 who likes to spit things out 🤮.”

Baby Items to Keep at Daycare

Sunscreen

For those concerned 🙋‍♀️ about protecting their child’s 🧒🏻 skin 🌞, here are some tips 💡:

• Use a broad spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen 🌞 with zinc oxide 💊 and/or titanium dioxide 💊 and water resistant factor 💦 of 8 or greater.

• Reapply every 2 hours 🕒 during outdoor activities 🏞️.

• Avoid applying sunscreen 🌞 near eyes 👀 and mouth 😷.

• Don’t forget to reapply sunscreen 🌞 after swimming 🏊‍♀️, sweating 💦, or towel drying 🧖‍♀️.”

Hoodie or Jacket

“When you’re expecting 👶, it’s nice to know that your child 🧒🏻 will always have a cozy 🔥 place to go to no matter what the temperature 🌡 is outside 🌬️.

This is why we love 💕 the idea of having a hooded jacket 🧥 or sweatshirt 🧦 that doesn’t require much maintenance 🧹 once it gets dirty 🤢. These are perfect 🙌 for daycares 🏫 where children 🧒🏻 spend most of their days inside 🏠.”

Questions to Ask Your Childcare Provider

1. Do I Need to Pack Utensils?

If your baby 🍼 is eating cereal 🥣, baby food 🍎, or even pureed foods 🍲 like applesauce 🍎 or yogurt 🍨, it’s important to know what utensils 🍴 are required 🧾.

Some parents 🙍‍♀️ assume that because the food 🍽️ is already mixed into liquid form 💧, there isn’t really anything else needed 🤷‍♀️.

But while some products 🛒 do come packaged with spoons 🥄, bowls 🥣, and cups 🍵, others don’t 🚫. And if you want to give your child 🧒🏻 something nutritious 🥑, you might consider packing a few extra dishes 🍴 just in case 🤞.

The American Academy of Pediatrics 🏥 recommends giving babies 🍼 six ounces 🍺 of formula 🍼 per feeding 🍴. This gives them enough calories 🍴 to grow 🌱 and develop properly 💪.

However, if you’re breastfeeding 🤱, you don’t necessarily need to pack extras 🧳.

2. How Should I Pack Food and Snacks?

Feeding your baby is one of the most important things you do for him or her 🍼
But there’s a lot to think about when packing up and sending food to your little one 🤔 Here’s what you need to know about feeding your baby and what to pack 🧐

3. What Happens If I Forget Something?

Even the most organized of parents tend to forget things, especially when there are several kids involved 🤯

This is true even if you’re a parent yourself 😅 But what happens if you do forget something important? How will you know if your kid needs it? And what if he doesn’t ask for it? 😵

The good news is that you don’t have to worry too much about forgetting essentials 😌

You can rest easy knowing that you’ve got plenty of options at your disposal

💡 For example, many stores offer diaper bags, strollers, car seats, cribs, bottles, and clothes that will cover almost every contingency 🛒
And if you ever do forget something, chances are someone else will notice before long 🙏

Most people who work with young children say they see parents come into stores asking for specific items because they forgot them 🤦‍♂️
In fact, some parents won’t hesitate to bring friends along just to ensure they remember everything 🤷‍♀️

4.Dressing Your Baby for Daycare?

When it comes to clothing, we think it’s important to start out with something simple like a onesie or footed sleepers 💕 .

Then, add some layers as needed 🧥 A hat and mittens are great options too 🧣 And don’t forget to bring along a change of clothes for yourself 🧦 .

If you’re going to be out and about, you’ll probably want to wear something different than what you’d normally wear 🎒

5.What should my child wear to daycare?

The best way to ensure your child looks stylish while attending daycare is to make sure he/she wears clothes that are comfortable, durable, and easy to take off and put on 💪 .

In addition, it is important to choose clothing that is easy to clean 🧹 If your child is old enough to attend school, consider purchasing him/her some nice, sturdy shoes that are easy to walk around in 🚶‍♀️

Final Thoughts on Daycare Essentials

Everyday, there seems to be another article about what every parent needs to know about starting a daycare 📰 .

There are countless articles online explaining how to choose a childcare center, tips for hiring a caregiver, and even information on choosing the best type of toys for children 🤔.

But what about the supplies you’ll need to purchase? What do you really need to make sure you have enough of it? And where can you find some great deals on those items? 🤑.

Here are my final thoughts on the essentials parents must consider purchasing when setting up a daycare facility 💡