Preparing Your Baby for Daycare: Infant Transition Guide 2026

Leaving your baby with someone else for the first time is one of parenting's most emotional moments. Whether you're returning to work after maternity leave or starting care for other reasons, the transition to daycare affects both you and your baby. While infants are adaptable, thoughtful preparation can make this major change easier for everyone.

This guide helps you prepare practically and emotionally for your baby's transition to daycare.

Emotional Preparation for Parents

Acknowledging Your Feelings

It's normal to feel:

• Sadness and grief
• Guilt
• Anxiety
• Relief (and guilt about relief)
• Fear
• Ambivalence
• All of the above simultaneously

These feelings don't mean:

• You're making the wrong choice
• You're a bad parent
• Something is wrong with you
• You shouldn't do this

Working Through Parent Guilt

Remember:

• Quality childcare benefits children
• Working parents raise healthy kids
• Your baby will adapt
• You're providing for your family
• Guilt is universal but not always rational

Strategies:

• Talk to other working parents
• Focus on quality time when together
• Trust your childcare choice
• Allow yourself adjustment time
• Seek support if struggling

Preparing Yourself

Before the first day:

• Visit the daycare without baby
• Meet the caregivers
• Ask all your questions
• Visualize positive scenarios
• Plan something for yourself that first day

Practical Preparation

Timeline

4-6 weeks before:

• Confirm enrollment details
• Complete all paperwork
• Begin schedule adjustments

2-4 weeks before:

• Practice separations
• Introduce bottles if breastfeeding
• Establish consistent routines
• Visit daycare with baby

1 week before:

• Finalize packing list
• Do trial drop-off if possible
• Prepare all supplies
• Mentally prepare

Paperwork and Requirements

Gather and complete:

• Medical forms
• Immunization records
• Emergency contacts
• Authorized pickup list
• Care preferences form
• Any required health exams

Adjusting Schedules

If possible:

• Shift baby toward daycare schedule
• Adjust wake and sleep times gradually
• Practice meal times
• Build in morning routine time

Building Routines

Morning Routine

Establish now:

• Wake time
• Feeding schedule
• Getting dressed routine
• Leaving the house routine
• Allow extra time initially

Tips:

• Prepare everything night before
• Have backup plans
• Build in buffer time
• Practice runs help

Evening Reconnection

Create rituals:

• Focused attention at pickup
• Special greeting routine
• Feeding and cuddle time
• Calm evening activities
• Consistent bedtime

Weekend Considerations

Finding balance:

• Maintain some routine
• Allow flexibility
• Extra bonding time
• Prepare for Monday
• Don't overschedule

Feeding Preparation

If Breastfeeding

Before daycare:

• Introduce bottles if not already
• Practice with different feeders (not just you)
• Build freezer stash
• Establish pumping routine
• Get pumping supplies for work

For daycare:

• Labeled bottles with breast milk
• Storage instructions
• How to warm preference
• Feeding schedule information
• Enough supply plus backup

If Formula Feeding

Prepare:

• Enough formula for each day
• Bottles (labeled)
• Feeding schedule
• Special instructions if any
• Formula type and amount per feeding

Starting Solids

Coordinate with daycare:

• What foods have been introduced
• Any reactions noted
• Feeding approach (BLW, purees)
• Allergies or restrictions
• Who introduces new foods

What to Pack

Daily Essentials

For the diaper bag:

• Diapers (plenty!)
• Wipes
• Diaper cream
• Change of clothes (2-3)
• Bottles/breast milk/formula
• Pacifiers if used
• Blanket for nap

Label everything:

• Use permanent marker or labels
• Include full name
• Update as needed

Comfort Items

May help with transition:

• Familiar blanket
• Special stuffed animal
• Item with parent's scent
• Pacifier from home
• Familiar sleep items

Extra Supplies

Keep at daycare:

• Extra clothes
• Extra diapers
• Additional supplies
• Emergency outfit
• Formula/breast milk backup

The First Days

First Day Strategy

Morning of:

• Allow extra time
• Stay calm (babies sense stress)
• Confident goodbye
• Don't linger
• It's okay if you cry (in the car)

What to expect:

• May go better than expected
• Or may be hard
• Both are normal
• Each day may be different

First Week

Typical patterns:

• Day 1-2: May be okay (novel environment)
• Day 3-4: Often harder (realizes pattern)
• End of week: Beginning adjustment
• Variation is normal

For you:

• Call to check in
• Don't feel guilty checking in
• Plan how to handle the day
• Be gentle with yourself

Adjustment Period

Give it time:

• Full adjustment takes weeks
• Expect ups and downs
• Communicate with caregivers
• Note patterns
• Trust the process

Communication with Caregivers

Information to Share

About your baby:

• Sleep patterns and preferences
• Feeding schedule and cues
• Comfort techniques
• Personality and temperament
• Any concerns

Ongoing communication:

• Daily updates (they should provide)
• Share home observations
• Ask questions
• Express appreciation

What to Ask

Daily:

• How did feedings go?
• How was sleep?
• Diaper output?
• Mood and engagement?
• Any concerns?

Building relationship:

• Get to know caregivers
• Learn their names
• Show appreciation
• Be respectful of their expertise

Signs of Adjustment

Positive Signs

Your baby is adjusting if:

• Eventually calms after drop-off
• Engages with caregivers
• Follows routines at daycare
• Happy at pickup
• Maintaining development
• Sleeping and eating reasonably

When to Be Concerned

Talk to caregivers if:

• Extreme distress lasting hours
• Not eating or sleeping at all
• Regression that persists
• No improvement after weeks
• Your gut says something's wrong

Normal Adjustment Behaviors

Expect temporarily:

• Clinginess at drop-off
• Tiredness
• Changed sleep at home
• Increased fussiness
• Extra need for connection
• These should improve over time

Maintaining Connection

Quality Over Quantity

When you're together:

• Be present
• Put down phone
• Make eye contact
• Play and cuddle
• Follow baby's lead

Building Attachment

Despite separation:

• Consistent, loving reunions
• Responsive care when together
• Bedtime rituals
• Weekend bonding
• Attachment remains strong

Managing Your Absence

Remember:

• Babies can attach to multiple caregivers
• Your bond is primary and unique
• Quality care enhances development
• Your relationship will thrive
• Babies are resilient

Special Situations

Very Young Infants (6-8 weeks)

If returning early:

• Extra challenging emotionally
• Baby is adaptable
• More frequent communication
• Self-care essential
• Seek support

Premature Babies

Additional considerations:

• Share adjusted age
• Medical needs communication
• Extra precautions
• May need more gradual transition

Starting Mid-Year

Any time works:

• Babies adjust year-round
• Benefit from any start
• Process is similar
• Each family's timeline different

Key Takeaways

Prepare emotionally:

• Acknowledge your feelings
• Work through guilt
• Seek support
• Trust your choice

Prepare practically:

• Complete all paperwork
• Gather supplies
• Adjust schedules gradually
• Pack appropriately

Build routines:

• Morning consistency
• Evening reconnection
• Weekend balance
• Practice helps

Support the transition:

• Confident goodbyes
• Expect adjustment period
• Communicate with caregivers
• Note progress

Maintain connection:

• Quality time when together
• Consistent reunions
• Trust your bond
• Be present

Starting daycare is a major transition for your family. With preparation, patience, and partnership with your childcare provider, you and your baby will adjust to this new chapter. Trust that your baby is resilient, your bond is strong, and quality childcare can be a positive experience for everyone.

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