Packing Tips - 10 Month Infant - Changsha, Hunan - 10/98
There are many opinions on items to bring and all are correct for that
particular child and trip. In general, many things can be bought in China
if lost or forgotten. Here is our condensed list, in order of priority:
- Paperwork - Passports with copies, tickets, visas, Chinese
adoption
'invitation', dossier copy(s), adoption/travel/guide phone numbers; - Crisp cash - Bring cash & traveler's check in money belts
lined with
Ziplocs (sweat). Under-shirt neck pouches are handy for passport,
tickets and immediate cash and a lower-back money belt is good
for Fort Knox. Don't forget some crisp $50/20/10 for province fees
and $1 bills for street vendors (postcards & tourist stuff cheaper
on street than government/factory stores); - Hard to find prescriptions & supplies - For baby, children's
Tylenol (teething), children's Advil (fever), baby Orajel, infant
decongestant, infant cough, powdered Pedialyte (grape), sunscreen,
thermometer (underarm digital fast, accurate & noninvasive) & tissues.
The Texas Medical Kit helps provide peace of mind...one per group.
For you, whatever...suggest Immodium AD, aspirin/Tylenol/Advil,
sunscreen, Dayquil/Nyquil caplets, allergy medications, decongestant
(smog), caffeine tablets or coffee bags (if addicted since hard to
get coffee). Extra glasses/contacts; - Your spouse, partner or friend - First time parents or traveling
without a group; - Diaper stuff - Disposables (5-7x per day), wipes (2 packs of
80
refills with resealable top), changing pad, diaper cream (1 tube of
Johnson & Johnson plus 1 tube of Desitin for bad rash) & Ziplocs
(for used diapers & storage of little stuff like receipts). Huggies
Ultratrim or Cottontails diapers are light & Velcro-type closures
don't stick to baby's skin (fumble fingers & wiggling kids); - Bottle stuff - Playtex bottles, liners, nipples, sharp nail
scissors
& bibs. Bring both 4 & 8 oz. bottles/liners. Liners not reused
& nipples easily washed and sterilized with boiled water supplied
by hotel. Slit several nipple tips in an X pattern, about 1/8" to 3/16"
slits. Do this before you meet your baby so you won't have to
find/clean scissors with a hungry baby and an audience. Don't
slit all nipples in case she needs standard nipples (unlikely)
or is drinking from a cup (see #7 below). The thin Playtex bibs
dry quickly and have easy Velcro fastener; - Sippy cups (1 or 2) - First Years TumbleMates. The solid color
cups with white translucent tops are not spill proof (good for older
babies) and the translucent cups with solid colored tops are
mostly spill-proof. The latter type has a simple diaphragm that is
easy to clean and can be slit wider or removed if too restrictive.
For either, removing the cap provides a multi-use cup. Most sippy
cups are more complicated and harder to clean in the hotel room; - Small plastic bowl & Rubbermaid pint container - Bowl for
sterilizing nipples & pint container for mixing/transporting formula; - Child care book - Dr. Spock paperback is compact, complete
&
organized. At home, whatever, we prefer Penelope Leach; - Formula - Whatever your agency suggests...U.S. & Chinese
brands
can be bought in China. Make with mixed boiled water (hotel) &
bottled water (much cheaper at street stalls). Ready-to-use (3-6,
4 oz. pop tops) are helpful for your first feeding and the trip home; - Baby clothes - Onsies, pants, shirts, socks, sneakers, hat,
jacket, small polyfleece blanket. Range of sizes since babies can be
larger or smaller than records...trade with other parents & donate
misfits to orphanage. Keep babies stomach, arms and legs covered,
even in hot weather...they are used to it & it is a custom.
Formal clothes are not necessary; - Baby toys - Stacking cups & plastic keys, board books (reading
or chewing), couple small stuffed animals. Get creative with empty
water bottles & your luggage...everything is new to these kids.
Ask the hotel concierge to give you directions to a toy/department
store to buy traditional Chinese toys; - Bandannas - Clean up, sweat handkerchiefs & temporary 'blankies'
Easy to wash & dry in hotel room or laundry; - Day pack - For baby supplies, paperwork & camera. At home,
we
use a Kapoochi hybrid daypack/diaper-changing/bottle bag; - Baby carrier - Either Snugli or sling. Some babies are too
fiesty
for backpacks & you can buy/rent a stroller in China; - Pocket language guide - Good for basics & a conversation
piece;
- Your clothes - Pack light & casual. Hotel laundry was reliable
though not always cheap; - Personal items - Shampoo, waterless hand sanitizer (small bottle
of
gel), toothbrush/paste (use bottled water), washcloth (backpacking
stores have quick dry type), whatever. If you need electric appliances,
120/240V blow dryers are available or get a voltage/plug converter; - Snacks - You probably will not feel like going out for every
meal.
Baby rice cereal, peanut butter, crackers, granola bars, dried fruit,
chocolate (if addicted), etc.; - Reliable camera & film - Broken cameras are cheap to fix
in China
though not warranteed. Video cameras are wonderful if you love
toting them around and looking at the world that way; - Small gifts for officials & orphanage staff - Go with agency
recommendations since varies with province, orphanage & itinerary; - Books & magazines - There is much 'free' time during travel
&
child naps; - Explanation cards (bilingual) - These were helpful with the
friendly
crowds that gathered around us. For example, 'We are adopting this
wonderful child and will be bringing her home to live with our family
in the U.S. We will educate her and incorporate her Chinese heritage.'
...this isn't as smooth as the cards we used.
Take the highest priority items (most of 1-9) & reading materials on yourself and in carry-on bags (airline approved size). Pack the rest in checked luggage since it can be replaced if lost. One of our suitcases was delayed...we reported it (easy without speaking Mandarin) and it was delivered to our hotel the next day.
Bon voyage!
Regards,
Doug, Eileen & Edie
