[CATLUV]

Hi-
Please help me with a few questions. I will be bringing my baby home soon we are out of pgn!!!
Anyway I am having a bit of anxiety and all of a sudden a burst of questions I thought I knew the answers to, Please for all of the people who have done this already help.

1) Do I dare bring formula?? Is that stupid or should I keep her on what she is use to?

2) Do I have to bring lots of diapers?? Are they a lot of money in Guatemala??

3) My baby is ten months old do will she be use to a crib?

ANY WORDS OF WISDOM FROM THOSE WHO HAVE DONE IT??ANYTHING THAT CAME IN HANDY THAT I MAY NOT BE THINKING OF TO BRING?

Thanks in advance
nervous mommy ))

[maryanddon]

Try not to panic, I am sure lots of people will help you on this one, You need to ask your agency what type of formula your child is taking, you really want to keep it the same until you see your own Doctor, changing it could cause problems, like vomitting, etc. I would pack diapers, do you know how big or what size the baby wears? I am new at this myself, but other people are out there to helpyou. I feel anxiety is very normal, this is a big moment in your life! you are bound to have butterflies! good luck Mary

[becky]

They will bring formula when they drop off the baby (usually a can of powder). I would recommend buying at least one more can and bringing it home with you. Most likely it will be a brand you have not heard of and is not available here in the US. You will gradually switch your baby over to whatever your pediatrician recommends. Do not be surprised if your 10 month old is on powdered milk instead of formula.

Bring one pack of diapers with you...just to make it easy on you.

A 10 month old should be sleeping in a crib...but some foster mothers have the babies sleep with them...so your little one may not be used to sleeping alone.

Bring some clothes...they may not bring any to you. Have fun and enjoy, you will be fine!!

[kim]

Hello! Our son was almost 10 months old when we went to go pick him up. We stayed at the Clarion and there is a pharmacy right across the street. Our peds recommend we switch him him Similac with iron. I took some prepack tubes with us because not all foster mothers bring formula and diapers. I also took diapers with us. To my surprise, our foster mother brought a new package of diapers and 3/4 of a can of formula/powdered milk that he was on. I did still go to the pharmacy to buy another can. They didn't have the smaller cans, only the very big ones. I went ahead and bought that one. Long story short, we never switched him to our formula. All that we brought home took us up within two weeks of his birthday. The last week of it, I was trying to switch but it upset him too much and our peds told us to go ahead and put him on whole milk. Take a few wipes. I took two travel packs of Huggies wipes stuffed full and it was more that enough for our 3 day travel. Your peds can give you a list of what meds your child can have and in what doses. We didn't need it but someone else there did. I was glad I had the meds and the dosage.....Tylenol, Benydral, motrin, etc..... Good luck and if you have anymore question, please ask.

Kim

[CATLUV]

Oh thank you girls so much, you all seem so relaxed. I have been fine up until now. I have been very guarded the whole process I did not put up a thing in the house, I now I find myself in the middle of babys r us completly confused about the strangest things!! Diapers formula baby lotion stroller all of it. I am very happy just a bit anxious I know I will be fine but I guess because I was prepared for this to fall thru I am still in shock.
one last question
DO I BRING THE BIG NEW STROLLER, WILL I NEED IT OR WILL IT COME IN HANDY?
ALSO BECKY HOW DOES ONE SLEEP IN A BED WITH A BABY?
THANKS AGAIN

Cat

[kim]

Oh, I forgot to mention. Our son would not sleep in a crib or in a bed. He would only sleep with one of us holding him sitting upright for the first 4 nights. We were unable to get him until later in the evening. He didn't really cry but did scan the room a lot expecially when waking up. Just to put you at ease. He is now 21 months old and is a perfect, happy, well adjusted almost 2 year old. Yes, we see the two ever once in awhile. Enjoy your trip. Guatemala is Great!

Kim

[Kesti]

Cat,

How long were you in PGN?

[becky]

Cat,


The answer to your question is ....very carefully!!! No, really you should not sleep with a baby in your bed. It is extremely dangerous for the child...but some of the foster mothers do it!

As for the big stroller...do not even try. Buy a cheap umbrella stroller ($15 bucks or so)...it will be a lifesaver as you try to get through the airport.

Have a great time!!

[jackiepci]

Don't worry about bringing formula and diapers, they are cheaper than in the US and very easy to find. Supermarkets, pharmacies all carry all the baby things you could need. You can even pay with credit cards. You will probably be staying in Zona 10 which is very modern and has all the amenities necessary. Most hotels there have cribs so don't worry. Enjoy the trip it is a beautiful country. Be sure to go to Antiqua!

[Bella'sMomToBe]

Cat, I am so happy that you are going to pick up your baby. You must be so excited. I just got our referral (actually we were able to pick from three girls...we picked our Isabella) and I still have to send off my paperwork to get state and Guatemalan sealed. So, I have a TON of questions for you.
First, did you send your baby things? I have a box ready to go for Isabella, but am not sure that they are the right things. What did you send?
Second, did you visit your baby?
Third, can you tell me about your paperwork and experience...how long did it take from referral to going to get your baby?
Please tell me all about your experience!!!

[CATLUV]

My adoption took 5 months from the time the dossier arrived in guatemala. I worked directly with a lawyer only because my very best friend is the coordinator for a large agency and this way I did not have to pay the agency but did have the help(yes how lucky I am) I was very very private during my process because I have heard so many things can go wrong. I did not tell my family until after DNA. I did not send anything down and I did visit I did leave some clothing and toys but that was really all. Over all I think I had a very good excperience and will do it again I hope!!
I am very happy for you on your refferal!!

Cat

[Mary Mulcahy]

Dear Cat, Becky is right, buy the umbrella stroller and just bring that. I also brought one package of diapers, and 1 small can of formula and some extra bottles. Don't be surpized if your baby is on milk or powdered milk type mix as formula. You can get most everything you need at the stores, so don't worry. I would bring some baby tyenol and some over the counter stuff for yourself. The best advice I can give you is to try to get a lot of sleep and rest before you leave. Its very joyful getting your baby, however, you will not be sleeping much and the 3 or so days in Guatemala can be long nights. I think I slept about 6 hours on and off my trip. I kept looking and checking on Daniel to make sure he was still breathing ect... My son had slept in crib in his foster home and was on Similac Formula. I was lucky and he came home at 4 months, so I used a snuggly to get through the airport. When you leave Guatemala, allow plenty of time to check in at the airport, as it is not very organized. I left on a Saturday, got Danny on Sunday afternoon, we went to the Embassy on Monday, and Tuesday (christmas EVe) we flew home. I recommend at least 3 hours between fllights when you enter the US. Atlanta (that's were we imigrated) customs was swamped. My flight on Delta had 17 babies/children coming home. Its a wonderful time, but also very stressful. Also, try to get an idea of alternative flights in case you miss your connection so you don't get stressed out. I also brought some energy bars for myself as it was hard to eat a meal on the plane holding a baby The flight attentants were great and held Danny while I used the bathroom and really went out of their way. Good luck and have a safe journey. Mary, mom to Daniel Jordan Jose, born August 14, 2002, home December 24, 2002.