Working moms: what do you pack up to send with your baby to daycare?

istara · 3 months

You're not overthinking this at all, it's very wise to prepare. The daycare provider should usually specify what is needed. It can vary.

Here in Australia, some daycares provide nappies, some don't. It's also forbidden to send toys (they have toys there - it's apparently a whole heap of trouble if children bring their own and then they're lost/damaged/whatever). However a sleep aid is always welcome.

Definitely send one spare outfit, and for babies they sometimes ask for two. I would suggest sending one bottom, one top, and one all-in-one so they can just change half if need be.

I would definitely ask about keeping the bag of frozen milk in the carer's freezer, to avoid waste. But make sure the carer understands how to deal with breastmilk: it's not supposed to be microwaved, for example. Also: there is a chance that your daughter may not take the bottle much/at all, unless she's already used to doing so from you or another carer. Some of them reverse-cycle instead, and shift their feeds to the nighttime. She may just feed (solids) and drink water in the daytime, but want you for your milk.

Another issue is that without her around all day, if you are exclusively pumping in the day time, you may see a supply drop and have to supplement. Hopefully not, but it's just something to be aware of. You may need to add an extra pumping session or take some herbs if you want to avoid this. There should be heaps of advice on Kellymom about this.

You can also request that they avoid feeding her for a couple of hours before pick up, so you can breastfeed her immediately if you want - bear in mind she may still be a bit too bewildered/confused to do so, you might need to get her home and a bit settled.

The main thing to prepare for is that her sleeping schedule may be disrupted for a while. Some babies sleep much longer at daycare, and then less at night. Others hardly sleep at all, and come home absolutely exhausted. And of course with or without daycare, they change from month to month and week to week.

gddess · 3 months

I packed two blankets, three sets of clothing, three pairs of socks, a pacifier, diaper and diaper cream (if needed).

For food, I, too, EBF my son, I packed 4-4oz bottles, at first, but changed it to 3-5oz bottles, which worked better.

Here's the kellymom calc: http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/milkcalc.html

After we introduced solids, we now send 2-5oz & 1-4oz bottles and 5oz of solids, plus he gets cheerios or cheese and crackers for snack.

ADVentive · 3 months

I always keep several changes of clothes in my kids' cubbies at daycare. I also provide a nap blanket and lovey. I provide diapers, but all of my daycare providers have always provided the wipes. Since I use cloth diapers, I also provide bags to put the dirties in so I can take them home to wash. I also provide hat and gloves and boots and rain jacket which we keep in the cubby to use as needed. The coat comes and goes daily. I do keep a sweater at daycare too.

For pumped milk, the rule of thumb is 1-1.5 oz per hour you are away. At 4 months old, I sent 5 bottles of 2 oz. Then it moved to 4 bottles of 2.5 oz. Then 3 bottles of 3 oz at around 7 months. I never went above 3 oz per bottle. Also note that breastfed babies do not need more milk as they get older the way formula-fed babies do. You may distribute it differently, but you shouldn't need to increase how much you pump in a day. If your daycare provider is used to formula-fed babies, you may need to educate her.

I did not send frozen milk to keep at daycare, but I hardly froze milk anyway. I just pumped today what I sent tomorrow. I let my kids nurse at-will overnight which put less pressure on me to pump so much during the day. My co-worker's baby slept through the night, and she had a lot harder time keeping up with pumping because her baby needed more oz during the day as a result.

I don't think you are overthinking at all actually. There is a useful book called Nursing Mother, Working Mother that I felt really helped me. Also, if you have an evening LLL meeting near you, the mothers there are probably experienced with this sort of thing. The daytime meetings maybe not so much.

starly · 3 months

What daycares want you to send in varies. Our needs one set of clothing to change (bodysuit, long underwear, trouser, t-shirt, pullover), one set of clothing for actual climate (sun hat, scarf, hat, coat), one set of clothes to get dirty outside (rain trouser, rain coat and rain shoes, from beginning of crawling on), bobbycar shoes (optional, but highly recommended from around the first birthday on), diapers (another daycare uses their diapers and parents bring wipes), a sippy cup and/or bottles (for children not yet using a normal cup), a pacifier, maybe a toy to help sleeping, baby foods (most kids eat normal, since there is at most one baby per group of a dozen children), breakfast (some items, there then will be arranged a plate with bread/fruits of what parents brought where children can chose from at breakfast time, other daycares require you to bring a whole breakfast for your child (as opposed to more of item X than your child will eat as it's for us)), medicine (with a signed document when to give it, if needed, we have anti-gas drops and creme against new dents pain there), our phone numbers and a signed document who is allowed to take our child from daycare.

I think my list should be enough, but definitively ask the staff before leaving your child there the first time and at least every time it learned a critical skill (crawling, walking, Bobbycar driving, eating purees, eating solids, drinking from a sippy cup, drinking from a normal cup, potty training). They should have a list handy what you need.

mrsjonstewart · 3 months

My son is 11 weeks, and we just started day care :( . His first day, I sent up a case of diapers, a case of wipes, a few outfits/onesies in a bag , and sheets for his crib (he has his own there). Every day, I sent 5 3 ounce bottles of breastmilk, and a pacifier as well. I logged what he ate for 2 weeks, and send 3 ounces more than that.

[deleted] · 3 months

I leave my baby from around 10:00 - 2:00. I usually leave three 4 oz. bottles of breast milk. I know she won't eat that much while I'm gone for sure, but better safe than sorry. I have one of those bags that you put an ice pack in. Kind of make a mini freezer so the milk doesn't go bad. I also send a bunch of diapers, pack of wipes, extra outfit, a bib, and a blanket. It sounds like you're pretty much right on track.

helloiamjulie · 3 months

Everyone's ideas are already right on track with what I would write too, They should be supportive and understanding for first-time moms with 3-month-olds. :) My first started at daycare at the same age, just a month ago, and we've adjusted fine. Naps, pumping, and bottles will work themselves out if you're flexible and know you can do it. Best wishes!! You will both do just splendidly!

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