[prechrswife]

Skype was great for calling home. It was very inexpensive. We did travel with our laptop, and are very glad that we did so. We were able to maintain our website and keep up with emails from friends and family.

This may sound strange, but pack some duct tape. (I have been told you can find it in small quantities in stores with camping supplies.) This kept showing up on packing lists of other people, but I didn't listen. One of our rolling duffle bags got a huge rip, and guess what would have solved our problem--duct tape, of course. (As an aside, the rip was in one of the smaller pockets, thankfully.)

Pack fragile items in your carry-on for the return home, as much as possible. TSA chose our souvenir suitcase for a random search and broke a couple of items, including several pieces of our dd's tea set from her home province.

I agree with packing extra clothes in your carry-on for plane travel. I would say to pack more than one outfit for the baby in the carry-on. Our dd went through every outfit I had in the carry-on on the way home. (If you have selected a special homecoming outfit, put that one on right before you get to your home airport, or wherever you want her/him to be wearing it. Don't expect it to stay clean all the way from China.) Also, pack more in your carry-on than you think you will need as far as diapers, wipes, formula, fruit puffs/cheerios, baby clothes go. We had an 8 hour weather delay in Chicago, and had to buy several things at the airport to get us through until our flight left.

On diapers, we used both. The diapers from home were definitely better, but we were able to get by with the Chinese diapers. We did have some leak issues, though.

If you are traveling in coach, spring for the extra seat for your child. It is WELL worth the added expense. Our dd slept on that seat, sat there and played, and when she was in our laps, we were able to use it as a place to spread out to make bottles, etc.