Questions for daycare moms

I'm going back to work in less than 1 month and I want to be prepared for the transition to daycare. What do you use to label DC's clothes?

How many diapers and wipes do you leave at daycare?

How many changes of clothes do you leave there?

If you're BFing, how many bottles of fresh milk and frozen milk do you bring?

I know the frozen milk is only good for 24 hours after it's thawed. Do you ask the daycare providers to use those bottles first in case DC doesn't drink everything that you brought for the day? What do you do with the milk if there is some left over that day?

Is there anything else that you leave at daycare for DC?

Do you have any other advice for preparing for/easing the transition to daycare?

TIA for your help.

Re: Questions for daycare moms

Ryan hasn't been to daycare in almost 2 months but I'm technically a daycare mom so I'll try and help :):

What do you use to label DC's clothes?
I ordered from Mabel's Labels and use a sharpie marker for some things (write on the label).


How many diapers and wipes do you leave at daycare? I left a large pack to begin with (probably almost 100) and when they run low they let me know (mark it on his daily report card that he's running low). I believe they have each child leave 2 packs of wipes per month - I get requests for them too when they run low.

How many changes of clothes do you leave there?
Two outfits and one little hooded sweatshirt.

If you're BFing, how many bottles of fresh milk and frozen milk do you bring?
Our daycare, and most, required the milk to thawed and in bottles. DS gets 3 bottles a day there - I prepare them the night before. I did leave one bag of frozen in their freezer for emergencies, but they won't make up the bottles on a daily basis - it's just a back-up.

I know the frozen milk is only good for 24 hours after it's thawed. Do you ask the daycare providers to use those bottles first in case DC doesn't drink everything that you brought for the day? What do you do with the milk if there is some left over that day?
If you're unsure of what he's drinking (due to EBF now) I would start with 5oz bottles. My daycare would let me know (on his daily report card) what he left in each bottle - an oz., etc. If you find a pattern, then you can adjust. They just dump what he doesn't finish.

Is there anything else that you leave at daycare for DC?
If they are authorized to administer drugs, you can leave tylenol or teething meds. A blankie or favorite toy. We bring sheets for the PNP. Bibs, burps clothes.

Do you have any other advice for preparing for/easing the transition to daycare?
Day by day It's really tough at first, but trust me that it gets better - never necessarily easy, but better once you get in your routine.

Re: Questions for daycare moms

Re: Questions for daycare moms

I also use mable's labels for all of DD's bottles, clothes and bibs.

For her food, diapers and wipes I just printed out a sheet of labels from my printer with her name on them (or used a marker when my printer was broken).

I had stopped bfing long before DD went to day care so I can't answer that question specifically, but when DD was on formula I would prepare her bottles at home and bring in 3 or 4 bottles daily (always one more than she takes in a day just in case). My day care said they couldn't boil the water for her formula (didn't have the time) so that's why I did it myself.

I sent her with one big package of diapers and one package of wipes. They let me know when they need more.

She also has at least 2 outfits (including a onesie and socks), a bunch of bibs, a pacifier and 2 blankets.

Don't stay too long on the first day because that makes it harder on your DC (and you). Call as many times as you need to for your own peace of mind. It gets easier with time.

Re: Questions for daycare moms

How many diapers and wipes do you leave at daycare?
I leave one package with his name on it and one whole container of wipes. When they ask for more I provide the same amount each time.

How many changes of clothes do you leave there?
When he was 3-6 months I left 2 sets, 6-12 I left 3 (eating more and making more of a mess) and from 12+ I leave one set that I replace everytime I take him home in the backup set.

If you're BFing, how many bottles of fresh milk and frozen milk do you bring?
I used to give mostly frozen to daycare and would number the bottles. I knew he would have 3 for sure so I numbered those and the fresh milk would have a label that 'use after numbered bottles'. I explained it to them and put the bottles in order in the fridge so they grabbed the correct one each time.

What do you do with the milk if there is some left over that day? If frozen milk was left over but refrigerated I gave it to him at bedtime. If fresh was left over refrigerated I kept it for the am bottle. (I pumped)

Is there anything else that you leave at daycare for DC?
Blanket, lovey (puppy doll), hat, light jacket for walks in the nice weather or if the room is cold, sunscreen in the summer, pictures of the family.

Do you have any other advice for preparing for/easing the transition to daycare?
Put on your happy face...don't hesistate handing the baby over to the teacher...hold your child if they need it but keep that happy face on! Your child will take cues from you. It will be hard but get yourself online to us so that we can give you hugs and support. Feel free to call the center during the day to check up.

I used to send an introduction letter with my son and would follow up with updates as thigns changed so that all the teachers and assistants had the information on him.

Last thing....no one will care and love for your child the way you do but the right people are just the most amazing and they will be your most valued teammates through this. No one can replace you...and your child knows that. You make this sacrifice for them...not because of them and they love you for it!

ETA: I use labels from stuckonyou.net for names and just recently had to be more detailed in labelling so just use masking tape (date and food which changes on a daily basis).

Message edited 3/4/2009 11:57:46 AM.