What to pack for your baby when going to grandma and grandpa’s house or a second caregiver/nanny share is made simple in this post! I was always forgetting something – and eventually I just bought things to leave there. Here are 15 essential baby items to leave at grandparents’ house.
15 products to leave at grandparent’s, second caregiver’s or nanny share’s house:
1. Travel bag/backpack
Doesn’t have to be fancy! But it’s so much easier to hand off a bag that’s already packed and ready to go rather than scrambling and forgetting items. I love the Lo and Sons bag (did you get this for your Hospital bag?! There’s a smaller version, too!) and it’s the perfect size to fit everything. This cute amazon backpack or amazon duffle bag would work well too!
2. Travel crib
Any standard portacrib will do! If you want my favorites – I love the Zoe Cloud and Cloud Mini (use code BUMBLEBABYZOE). If you’re looking to invest in something that baby can use into toddlerhood, I love the Joovy 4 Room. It’s huge! If there’s room, a regular crib or mini crib would work too.
3. Slumberpod
Trust me, this is one of the best investments you’ll make as a parent. The Slumberpod is so versatile – room sharing, travel, and nanny share are just a few examples of how useful this light blocking tent is! It provides a little “home” feeling for baby – and sleep is sooo much better. Use code BUMBLEBABY$20 for discount.
**If you live in Canada, please click here and use code BUMBLEBABY$20
4. Monitor
We love this travel video monitor that is budget friendly to keep at the second caregiver’s house. It’s great for travel too! This audio monitor does the job, too!
5. Sound machine
I suggest purchasing the same sound machine you have at home. I recommend the first version of the Hatch (it’s cheaper and I think it actually works better!). But, this is expensive, so we love this travel sound machine. It’s great for on the go – car seat, stroller etc.!
6. Sleep sack/swaddles
At least 2 – back up for blow outs, throw up, etc. Try to keep the same one you have at home so it’s an easy transition for your little one. We love the Ollie, the Happiest Baby sleep sack, the Dreamland Baby weighted sleep sack and swaddle (use code BUMBLE15 for discount), as well as the Kyte baby!
Have you seen our sleep sack blog post or kate’s favorite sleep products for 0-6 months blog post?
7. Clothes and pajamas
Head to a discount store and buy some 3 packs of PJs or cozy clothes to just keep at a caregiver’s house! Makes your life so much easier.
8. Mini “diaper bag”
Diapers, wipes, diaper cream for on the go. Handing over a mini diaper bag for caregivers makes the transition seamless and prevents you from forgetting your bag at home, or from bringing your diaper bag home. This doesn’t have to be fancy! It could be in a large reusable ziplock bag or a cute makeup bag (this is Kate’s favorite to use!)
9. Travel car seat
Leave it with grandma and grandpa. So nice to have in a pinch and you won’t have to uninstall and reinstall your own car seat. We love this Cosco one (high safety ratings and only $45!) and you can use it for infants 5+ pounds. Some of my other favorites are this Safety 1st Jive 2-in-1 convertible seat, and the Evenflo Tribute.
I also love this foldable travel booster seat (it’s very narrow and great for car-pooling too).
If you need help installing this travel car seat or want to make sure it’s done correctly, schedule a consult with Renée and invite the grandparents! (she’s a national certified car seat technician and can help you virtually or in-person if you live in Chicago).
10. Bottles, hand pump, storage baggies, formula, and pacifiers
Nothing like running out of what you’re feeding your baby when you’re gone! Or not having a way to feed your baby. Invest in 3-4 bottles and leave them at the second caregivers. Definitely have a can or two of formula and at least 10oz of breastmilk stored at the caregiver’s house. And pacis!!
11. Plates, utensils, cups or sippy cups
We love this budget friendly kit!
12. Mini medicine kit
Have you seen Kate’s medicine kit post? We recommend that you put them all in a locked medicine kit box like this one so that they don’t get mixed up with adult medication and cannot be opened by little ones!
- Motrin (infant and child)
- Tylenol (infant and child)
- Suppository
- Orajel
- Benadryl
- Extra medicine syringe
13. Baby soap and lotion
A few fun bath toys, too! Check out our bath essentials blog post! This mini 2-in-1 shampoo and body wash is perfect to leave at a a caregiver’s home!
14. Budget friendly stroller
Kate’s favorite is the Zoe Traveler or Tripp (use code BUMBLEBABYZOE for $20 off of $200) but we love this one too!
15. Clip on high chair
Kate loves this clip on high chair for travel or grandparents! It’s light weight, folds down easily, and travels well. It’s nice that it doesn’t take up a ton of room and can be stored in a cabinet or closet easily.
Click here to download our FREE leave at second caregiver’s checklist. Check the boxes from your phone/ computer or print at home.
Other helpful blog posts:
- How to travel with kids
- Busy bag kit for eating at restaurants with toddlers
- Baby sleep hacks for parents during the holidays
- Diaper bag essentials
- How to safely use baby “containers”
- 7 helpful tips for easing your baby or child into group care
**This post is educational and not meant to take the place of your provider. Bumblebaby makes a small commission on some of the items listed above
