It’s hard to believe that your maternity leave is ending. It feels like you just got back home from the hospital with your newborn. Now, it’s time to head back to work and entrust your child to the care of others.
To help ease the transition, your kid must have everything they need to experience the best out of daycare. While most daycare centers are prepared for any messy accidents, there are some items that parents should pack for their children.
From the best changing pads to extra clothes, we’ve got you covered. So read on for top picks in preparing your baby’s daycare bag.
Should You Bring a Baby Changing Pad?
Parents love a daycare with spaces dedicated to playing, eating, and, most importantly, changing dirty diapers. You might see changing tables with a smart changing pad, a changing pad cover, and other cleaning materials.
While a changing station at their nursery is the ideal place for easy cleanup, your baby isn’t the only one who needs their diaper changed. Lots of babies in the daycare room need their butts wiped clean.
Adding the best baby changing pad to your list is great for changing your baby’s diapers. Not only will it protect their clothes from any accidents, but it will also give a more comfortable and water-resistant surface to work on. If you’re not sure which type of changing pad to buy, look for one that is lightweight and easily cleaned.
What to Put in Your Portable Changing Pad Bag
Before your baby starts daycare, you’ll want to make sure you have all the supplies you need in your diaper changing bag to make the transition smooth. The daycare should provide a list of items to bring, but in general, you’ll want to make sure you have enough of the following things.
Diapers
Despite how often your baby poops, many parents should still bring a lot of diapers, especially for infants. Not only do they help to keep babies dry and comfortable, but they also play an important role in protecting against diaper rash and other skin irritations.
On the first day of the week, bring an entire pack of diapers to give the daycare workers a good amount to start with. This will help ensure that they always have a fresh supply of diapers and won’t have to worry about running out mid-week.
Wipes
Changing your baby’s diaper won’t be complete without something to wipe your baby’s bottom. Wet wipes with a mild solution clean your baby quickly and prevent irritation to your baby’s skin. Whether store-bought or homemade, wipes can clean just about any surface, even your diaper changing pads.
Diaper Creams or Ointments
Why does your baby develop skin irritations? Check out why some parents prefer to slather their baby with soothing cream after a diaper change.
- Leaving dirty diapers for too long
- Tight-fitting diapers, causing chafing
- Eating new foods
- Having sensitive skin
- Trying a new diaper brand
- Contracting a bacterial infection
So, how do you know if you should pack some cream? If you notice little bumps or inflamed areas on your baby’s butt, then you may want to start using a diaper cream more frequently.
On the other hand, if your baby’s skin seems to be fine, then you can probably get by applying it less often. Regardless of your approach, it’s better to pack a tube for daycare workers to use.
Baby Formula or Soft Food
After a trip to the changing table, your baby would normally be hungry. They often eat at least every couple of hours, and you don’t want them to run out of formula or baby food while they’re at daycare.
It’s better to pack more than what your baby needs for a day of meeting new people and playing. You can always feed them the leftover food when they get home, or freeze any extras for later.
Extra Baby Clothes
Every parent knows the feeling of panic that comes when their child has just leaked through their diaper, spit up all over their clothes, or somehow managed to get food all over themselves. It seems like it’s always something. If you’re not prepared with a spare outfit (or two), it can quickly turn into a disaster.
That’s why it’s always a good idea to pack two or three spare outfits in your baby’s diaper bag. Having a few extra outfits on hand can help daycare workers avoid stressful situations.
Pacifiers, Teethers, and Toys
Daycare isn’t your baby’s usual living space. New environments are great for your baby to develop brain cognition and social skills but they can also overwhelm them.
One essential item to pack is a pacifier, a teether, or their favorite toy. This will comfort them and help them self-soothe if they become upset. Some babies prefer a firm and textured item, while others prefer something soft and warm similar to their mother’s embrace.
Whichever type you choose, be sure to pack extras in case the first gets lost or damaged. With a pacifier or teether on hand, you can rest assured that your baby will have everything they need to enjoy their first day of daycare.
Medicine
Does your baby have special conditions that need medication? It’s important to include these in your child’s diaper changing pad bag, just in case.
If it’s more than one type of medicine, don’t forget to label them according to their dosage and use. You can also talk to the school nurse and staff so that everyone is aware of your child’s special needs. This will help ensure that your child gets the care they need and that you have peace of mind knowing that their medications are being taken as prescribed.
Tips for Preparing Your Little One for Daycare
Starting daycare can be a big adjustment for both you and your little one. But you can prepare ahead of time. With some planning and adjustments, you can help make the transition to daycare smooth for you and your child.
First, get to know the staff and tour the facility together. This will help your child feel comfortable and familiar with the environment. You can also implement a consistent daily routine at home that can be applied when they’re at daycare, such as early breakfast or playdates with your friends’ babies.
Finally, buy a portable changing pad. Your toddler will be out of the house, and the daycare’s diaper changing pad isn’t enough for countless diaper changes. But, even better, some changing pads can turn into travel bags.
Be Prepared With Ashtonbee’s Diaper Changing Pad
You can’t go wrong with Ashtonbee’s 2-in-1 travel bag if you want a top-quality changing pad. Our changing pad is made from a durable, easy-to-clean material that will stand up to years of use. Its design is practical for traveling and provides superior comfort for daily trips to the changing station.
The built-in safety strap keeps your baby safe and secure. Plus, our changing pad has pockets for storing all your daycare essentials so your baby can take them along on the go!
Get Excited for Your Baby’s First Day at Daycare
Feeling a little apprehensive about your baby’s first day at daycare is normal. After all, you’re entrusting the care of your precious little one to someone else. But focus on the bright side of things. Your baby is about to embark on a new adventure, and there’s no need to be scared. What’s important is that you’ve prepared everything ahead of time for yet another milestone in their life.
With a well-packed diaper changing pad bag, you can feel confident that your baby is in good hands. Ashtonbee’s 2-in-1 diaper changing pad and travel bag can bring all of the essentials they need to make diaper changes easy and stress-free. Get your very own today!