Packing Your Baby's Daycare Bag (Checklist)

The first few days of daycare can feel like you're packing for a week-long vacation. The good news? Once you've done it a few times, it becomes second nature. Most childcare centers will provide a list of what they need, but this daycare bag checklist covers the basics and works well for infants through toddlers. Every daycare is a little different, so check with your provider for any specific requests.

Daycare Bag Checklist

Feeding

□ Bottles with prepared breast milk or formula (if needed)

□ Extra bottle or two, just in case

□ Bottle nipples

□ Baby food or purees (if applicable)

□ Packed lunch (if your child brings one)

□ Morning and afternoon snacks

□ Water bottle, straw cup, orsippy cup (if not provided by your daycare)

□ Bibs, if needed

Diapering

□ Diapers (enough for the day, plus a few extras)

□ Wipes

□ Diaper cream (if your daycare allows)

Clothing

□ Two complete changes of clothes

□ Extra socks

□ Weather-appropriate outerwear (jacket, sweater, raincoat)

□ Hat, if needed

Accidents, messy art projects, water play, and spilled lunches happen. An extra outfit or two saves everyone stress.

Sleep

Many daycares provide crib sheets, but some ask families to bring their own.

Check whether your daycare provides:

□ Crib sheet

□ Sleep sack (if your child uses one and your daycare allows it)

Always follow your daycare's safe sleep policies. Loose blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, and other items should never be placed in a baby's sleep space.

Comfort Items

If your daycare allows them:

□ Pacifiers (If using. Make sure to bring an extra)

□ Small lovey for toddlers, if permitted

Health & Personal Care

□ Any required medications with completed paperwork

□ Sunscreen (if your daycare requests families provide it)

Be sure all medications are in their original containers and follow your daycare's policies for administration.

Don't Forget

□ Daily communication folder or notebook (if your daycare uses one)

□ Any forms your daycare has requested

□ A quick hug, a smile, and a confident goodbye

Your child takes their cues from you. A calm, positive goodbye helps build confidence and makes the transition easier for both of you.

Moms on Call Tip

Keep a small basket near your front door stocked with diapers, wipes, extra clothes, bibs, and anything else you pack every day. Refill the daycare bag each evening instead of rushing to do it the next morning. Future you will be thankful.

Starting daycare is a big adjustment for everyone, and having a well-packed bag is one small way to make those first few days feel a little more manageable. You don’t have to anticipate every possible scenario or pack the entire nursery. A few familiar essentials, plenty of backups, and anything your childcare provider specifically requests are usually all you need to help your little one feel comfortable and cared for throughout the day.

As you settle into your new daycare routine, you’ll quickly figure out what gets used most, what can stay at daycare, and what needs to come home each night. Before long, packing the daycare bag becomes just another part of your family’s rhythm. Give yourself a little grace as you find what works, you can always adjust as you go, and your daycare provider can be a great resource for helping you fine-tune your list.

Looking for more personalized support to help you navigate this and any other transitions? Partner with one of Moms on Call’s Certified Premier Consultants to walk along side you, and support you each step of the way!

At  Moms On Call,  we are dedicated to providing positive, practical and effective ways to help parents feel more confident and rested. You’re already a great parent—we’re here to help you better understand your little one and enjoy the parenting process with practical advice that really works! Visit our website at www.momsoncall.com to view all of our resources that will help you to sleep, feed, laugh and love birth through toddlerhood!