Tips for preparing to start daycare?

RoseVA · April 2014

I go back to work in two weeks and was looking for tips to prepare for daycare....packing lists, suggestions for getting LO ready for the change. We'll be going to an in-home provider with 10 infants/toddlers and three sitters.

MissyC979 · April 2014

Buy extra bottles, especially if you're FF. I have enough for two+ days, which allows me to have plenty of clean bottles while the dirty ones are in the dishwasher.

I use Name Bubble labels on everything. I pack two changes of clothes, send a bag of diapers, and a pack of wipes.

I didn't reay do anything else to prepare him. We had some trouble in the beginning with him napping in the crib, because I usually held him, but he got over that.

jellybeangirl · April 2014

I sent my LO a few days before I went back to work. Then it gave me a good trial without the stress of going to work. I leave all of his supplies at daycare and they let me know when he is running low. Don't forget sunscreen.

RockiesNugget · April 2014

I leave everything at daycare that he needs and they will let me know when he needs more. Since he is in daycare only on the days DH travels for work, I am responsible for LO 100% those days and like having one less thing to have to get together.

Have at least 2 days worth of bottles, so you can unpack and repack the bottles when you get home without having to clean any. (If you BF and are pumping at work, have at least 2 days worth for yourself as well...this made my life so much easier.)

jy725 · April 2014

Label everything! I got some cute waterproof labels on Etsy. Give them written instructions for anything you want them to know. And all the pp tips.

stacers33 · April 2014

If FF, see if you can just bring a can of formula then you don't have to worry about making bottles.

Do your best to try to get LO to be able to nap in a crib or PNP and even where they are put down drowsy and get themselves to sleep.

I also pack orajel/teething tablets, etc.

TheBorg7of9 · April 2014

I personally wouldn't worry about preparing LO for daycare. They know what they're doing. And you never know what may be difficult for the baby and what may be easy anyway.

frantastic12 · April 2014

We are in a similar daycare situation (in-home sitter w/7-8 kids and 2 sitters). I agree what PPs said about extra bottles. Have at least 2 spare outfits in the diaper bag. LO is big on the pacifier, so I always have it clipped to his outfit so the sitter doesn't have to keep track of it and it doesn't get lost (and I keep an extra in the diaper bag just in case). I also send bibs with him for feedings instead of a burp cloth (so the sitter doesn't have to keep track of a burp cloth). We supplement LO's BM bottles with a couple ounces of formula, so I have a couple of the ready-to-go formula bottles in case of a spill or if he's unusually hungry one day. I also found a couple pairs of fleece booties that stay on his feet really well (since his socks are always falling off--again, one less thing to potentially lose).

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Tips for preparing to start daycare?

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