Starting Daycare Question

rheard3582 · September 2014

My kids are starting part time daycare next week. ..(2.5 years old and 2 months) Marchie went to a sitter (so not very structured...but I loved the lady).

What things should I tell the daycare provider to make the transition better? What things should I take?

SimpleComplexity · September 2014

Disclaimer- I'm a first time mom with a very type A personality.

A well stocked diaper bag is what I take. Enough food for how long he's there plus 3 extra bottles, 10 diapers, a pack of wipes, gripe water, nasal aspirator, change of clothes, brush, bib, burp bloth, balmex, pacifier, and extra pacifier. I also left a package of diapers and wipes there outside of what's in the bag.

I told her my daily routine with baby, how he likes to be held, his habits, and how he's very gassy. I also told her my non-negotiables (no microwaved bottles, no over feeding, no CIO), and let her do what she does best.

reils500 · September 2014

When DS1 was in daycare we stored the basics there- diapers, wipes, bibs, swaddle blanket, bottles, pacifiers, & extra clothes. His teachers would send home a note when they were running low on something.
Each day I would bring breast milk with enough for one extra bottle just in case. Once he was on formula I left a container there.
Things to tell: general routine, sleep routine/tips, what calms baby, & any special instructions (medication, diaper cream, etc)
For your Marchie (my DS is March '12 too!)- pack lunch & 1-2 snacks, sippy cup in lunch bag. My Marchie kept a special blanket & animal there for nap time. Ask if you need to supply a crib sheet for cot
Good luck!

missyrissy · September 2014

If it's a structured home daycare or center, they should give you a very detailed list. Here's what's on my list for the kiddos at my home daycare I run...
Blanket and pillow (stays there and I wash every Friday along w cot sheets I provide)
Pull-ups/diapers (I do supply wipes but if they don't like sams club wipes, they provide their own)
If potty training, 3 extra sets of weather appropriate clothes
Outdoor weather appropriate outfits (swimsuits in summer and boots/snowpants in winter)
Any medication they may need (cough meds, tylonal, etc.)
I believe that's it. I do put a disclaimer on that says if they bring toys, I am not responsible.
Also, if they are lactose intolerant, they provide special milk. I provide all meals and snacks

hgtvmom · September 2014

I would ask your day care provider. Mine has a list of stuff she wants on hand for LO's cubbie - a package of diapers (she provides wipes), bottles, paci, extra clothes. She does NOT want a diaper bag left (they are extra clutter in the environment that has to be managed). She will manage breast milk however I feel comfortable - either frozen stock in her deep freeze or fresh daily.

As for schedule - I will let her know what LO's routine has been, but it's her program. She has to do what works for all the kids, not just mine. If LO comes home having issues, we will revisit that. But I don't expect her to keep the exact schedule I have been keeping with LO at home. And, on weekends, I will likely conform to her schedule to keep things consistent for LO.

rheard3582 · September 2014

Thanks.. They did provide a list but I wanted to know if there was something else.

ADC1979 · September 2014

How do you know how much milk to send? I've been breastfeeding and so I'm not sure how many ounces of milk he's getting during the day. And does the milk get taken to daycare still frozen with empty bottles to put it in, or already portioned out in bottles and defrosted in the fridge?

[Deleted User] · September 2014

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JayBzo · September 2014

I plan to just follow the list they give and go from there. We have to bring diapers, change of clothes, bottles, crib sheet, blanket, paci... can't remember what else. I think the only additional thing they mentioned was if your baby has a special lovey or something... my kid is still a blob so he doesn't have any special toys!

hab83 · September 2014

ADC1979 said:
How do you know how much milk to send? I've been breastfeeding and so I'm not sure how many ounces of milk he's getting during the day. And does the milk get taken to daycare still frozen with empty bottles to put it in, or already portioned out in bottles and defrosted in the fridge?

Definitely call and ask what they prefer. When DD was in daycare they preferred the milk in bags because it was faster to warm that way. (They just used water to warm, not a bottle warmer.) As far as how much to send, I found this to be helpful https://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/pumping/milkcalc/

ADC1979 · September 2014

Thanks @hab83‌ !

lowen83 · September 2014

ADC1979 said:
How do you know how much milk to send? I've been breastfeeding and so I'm not sure how many ounces of milk he's getting during the day. And does the milk get taken to daycare still frozen with empty bottles to put it in, or already portioned out in bottles and defrosted in the fridge?

Rule of thumb is to have 1-1.5 oz of milk for every hour you are away from LO. I'll be away from mine for 10 hours so I will send 4, 4 oz bottles. He should only eat 3 times while I'm at work(every 3 hours right now). Some daycares require an extra bottle. They should tell you if there's a certain way to send it, like pre measured in a bottle with his name on it, or frozen. Ask them.

alyss0nl · September 2014

I think it truly depends on the daycare. For the infant room at our daycare, I bring as needed to keep there, a can of formula, diapers, pacifier and 2 changes of clothes. I keep 3 bottles there and they wash after each use. They provide the rest. It would be insane of me to bring a packed diaper bag, there's no way I could do it and get everyone out the door at 6:40am. For my older one, I bring a packed lunch and water bottle daily, and bring as needed change of clothes and diapers. They provide snacks and the rest. The kids will fall into a daycare sleep and eat routine, no sense fighting it. I leave the rest up to them.

rheard3582 · September 2014

hab83 said:

ADC1979 said:
How do you know how much milk to send? I've been breastfeeding and so I'm not sure how many ounces of milk he's getting during the day. And does the milk get taken to daycare still frozen with empty bottles to put it in, or already portioned out in bottles and defrosted in the fridge?
Definitely call and ask what they prefer. When DD was in daycare they preferred the milk in bags because it was faster to warm that way. (They just used water to warm, not a bottle warmer.) As far as how much to send, I found this to be helpful https://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/pumping/milkcalc/

Great point. I breastfeed as well and was going to just send it in bottles. I will call tomorrow to ask

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