My baby boy, Joey, was just 4.5 months old when he started daycare. We started with two days a week and gradually increased to five – a privilege I genuinely appreciate, knowing that not everyone has this flexibility. As I researched what to pack for daycare, a mix of emotions filled the air and I couldn’t help but feel the significance of this milestone. I had spent hours poring over articles and sifting through advice to create the perfect daycare packing list and while every baby’s needs are different and some may require additional items, this infant daycare packing list serves as my foundation and I hope it’s a good base for you too!
I’ll start by saying that I pack two bags – one bag that stays at the daycare that I repack once a month and one bag that we transport back and forth daily.
Table of Contents
Daily Bag
Extra Clothes; Ready, for Unexpected Surprises
I include two normal outfits in the daily bag and a mix of pajamas and bodysuits in the monthly bag, as backup.
Click here for my favorite places to shop for baby boy clothing.
Breastmilk and the Cooler Bag
In the first few weeks, I sent a mix of breastmilk and formula, and let me tell you, I was a wreck in the beginning trying to figure out how to safely pack breastmilk. For those who provide breastmilk a cooler bag is a MUST! I used both the Babeyer and Medela brands.
Formula and Formula Dispenser, for Simplified Feeding
The majority of daycares prefer premade bottles, so formula mix-ups don’t happen. However, there are instances where premade bottles may not be available, as was the case for Joey, who was on a special hypoallergenic formula. To make feeding easier and more flexible, I sent a formula dispenser container with pre-measured scoops of formula. As Joey got older, this also helped since the amount he was drinking would vary by meal and I was able to label each container with the mealtime and oz. I must say, if you formula feed your baby and you send powder, a dispenser becomes the top of the daycare packing list!
Bottles; For Formula or Breastmilk
I tried a few bottles with Joey as he had acid reflux and a milk protein intolerance and the ones that worked best with him were Dr. Browns (save) and Comotomo (splurge). Use whatever works best for your little one!
Title; Name Tags; A Symbol of Identity and…To Keep Track
Okay so this was one I didn’t have the first week Joey went to daycare…and it was a big miss! We had missing bottles…additional bottles. I found Mabel’s Labels and have attached them to everything as a way to keep track of his items. I love that they’re a women-owned business. Also, how cute are they?!
Ensuring a Restful Sleep, with Sleep Sacks
I wanted Joey to be comfortable at daycare and have something familiar with him while napping so we included his sleep sack in his daily bag. Our favorite brands are PurComfy (a random brand that I found on Amazon but is our absolute favorite) and Halo. Just make sure to send the right TOG based on the weather.
A Solid Daycare Bag
Considering this bag will be used daily, it’s important to have a good quality bag. Some of our favorites are shown below but you can even go with a good solid regular backpack or tote.
Monthly Bag
Diapers; A Must-Have Essential
This is a no-brainer to have in an “daycare packing list essentials” post! I include a full pack in the monthly bag and repack as needed. Everyone has their brand preference but the two favorites in our household are Coterie (splurge) and Rascal and Friends (save). I’ve tried a lot of brands but these are the two that hold everything in and are so soft!
Wipes; Cleanliness and Comfort Matters
Some daycares include wipes in the fee but I chose to include the wipes we have at home to reduce any skin irritations. The two I prefer are the Pampers Aqua Pure Sensitive and Water Wipes. While I buy whichever one has the best price on Amazon at that time, I have a slight preference for Pampers purely because Water Wipes doesn’t have a lid and it’s difficult to get one wipe at a time. That can get extremely frustrating when dealing with a blowout and I would not want to subject the daycare to that.
Extra Clothes; Ready, for Unexpected Surprises
I include two normal outfits in the daily bag and a mix of pajamas and bodysuits in the monthly bag, as backup.
Click here for my favorite places to shop for baby boy clothing.
A Personal Item
Incorporating a cherished item can help your baby transition to daycare. This can be a pacifier, a lovey, or a blanket. (Note: babies can’t have items in the crib with them for safety)
I hope this daycare packing list was helpful. I’d love to hear from you:
What are other daycare packing list essentials you use for your infant?