[bellasmommy]

Hello, I have had many requests for a copy of our packing list. I am happy to share it. I hope it helps. Michelle


VERY IMPORTANT!!! DON’T FORGET ADOPTION PAPERWORK-PASSPORTS-drivers license, keep your passports on you at all times!!

Isabella will drink about 24 oz of formula per day (either 4 6-oz feedings or 3 8-oz feedings) and eats cereal or soft/mashed table food.

Packing for Isabella
1 14-oz can of powdered formula (Similac with Iron or Isomil)
1 box of Gerber Rice Cereal with Apple (Empty box contents into ziploc bags for packing)
Baby food – not real critical if she is eating soft table food all right, but a couple of 6 oz jars of apple sauce may come in handy (apple sauce is also good for stomach upset.
3 8-oz Gerber Bottles with nipple rings and caps
Small Nipple Cleaning Brush
3-4 baby spoons
1 sippy cup with lid
1 plastic feeding bowl with lid (to mix and serve the cereal in)
A plastic cup that is tall and wide enough to hold one bottle (this will come in handy when warming formula that has been stored in the refrigerator—just fill half way with very hot water and put the bottle in until the formula is warm)
Small Rubber bands (for the long airplane ride home, measure the powdered formula into the bottle liners, rolled them up, and wrapped a rubber band around to secure, then threw away the leftover mostly-empty can)
It is possible that we may have to experiment with different ways of making the hole bigger in the nipple (using a knife or scissors to cut an X for instance) Taking extra nipples of different kinds.

40 diapers (Luvs/Pampers Size 3/4)
60 wipes (Huggies Unscented Refill Pack)
tube of diaper rash cream
Small garbage bags to put used diapers in
Large Changing pad
Old table cloth to lay on hotel floor for playing on( the carpet at Hotel is very dirty, do not forget to take a sheet or tablecloth to play on.

Keep the Baby Clean and Comfortable . . .
Use for dry skin (i.e., Eucerin)
Q-tips
A small container of Johnson’s Liquid Baby Soap for Sensitive Skin
4-6 prefolded, cloth diapers (for burp cloths and make-shift bib—always keep one handy)
Underarm Therm.
Shampoo, lotion
Nasal Aspirator
Antibacterial wipes/soap


Dressing the Baby . . .
2 cool weather outfits for evening
8 warm weather outfits
4 sleepers
3-4 onesies or t-shirts with snaps at crotch
3-4 pairs white cotton socks
1 elastic hair ribbon to match outfits
2 pair white booties/shoes sizes 2/3
caps and hats
Knit cardigan sweater for any climate
A couple of bibs (should be easy to clean and fast to dry)

Keeping the Baby Healthy . . .
Buy medical kit from Babies R Us-Tylenol, Motrin, Benadryl, anti-itch cream for bug bites.

Some Extras You Might Consider . . .
Umbrella Stroller will in handy on our walking tour around hotels, at mealtime, in the airports going home, etc. (Ask hotel to reserve you one when making reservations.
Toys: small stuffed animal that rattles, baby keys, anything that rattles
Blankets: Take plenty of blankets

Dreft detergent in Ziploc bag for washing baby’s clothes in sink (you only need a little bit per sink full, so don’t take too much)
Ziploc bag of dish washing detergent to wash bottles (VERY IMPORTANT).

A few more things......
-Give someone you trust, flight, hotel information, adoption info, safety deposit box information, extra keys to house, copies of all passports, drivers license, emergency phone numbers,
-Have someone watch house and feed dog ( give her house key)
-take a list of family/friend's phone #'s to call do not use Raddison Phone, it costs alot just to pick it up and use phone card.
-buy postcards of the area....magnets.....a mug....etc. for momento’s to give to her.
-pacifier for the plane, pack a sugar packet from a restaurant...put a little on your finger or end of paci to promote sucking when taking off/landing so baby's ears don't "pop"
-Mother's Journal...if you get a chance to write in it, the details of your experience will be invaluable someday
-Travel Alarm clock
-thermos for warm water
Film—8 rolls of 36 exposures (Kodak 400) 2/3 hours of Video camera film.
Spanish-English dictionary
Snugli carrier
Gifts for the other foster children - chocolate bars, stuffed animals, puzzles, small toys
The U-shaped neck support pillow for flights.
New money/ ones, tens, twenties
Call Credit card company/let them know you are going to Guatemala
Take plenty of snacks
Type letter and give to Attorney to let them know that you are interested in adopting any other siblings that birthmother or relatives may have in the future .

Prescription Meds-Cipro, (prevent stomach upset) Allegra (allergies due to pollution) and Ambien (help you sleep)
Advil
Pepto Bismol Tabs
Take any prescript meds.
Casual Clothes
Comfortable Shoes
DO NOT forgot to put all shampoo, lotions, makeup anything that can spill in ziploc bags (take extra Ziploc bags with us)

Gifts for Foster Family, Attorney and Staff

Photo Album with pictures, candle holders, candles
Shirts/Caps, bath and body products, chocolate

More Information:

If you or child get an upset stomach remember the brat diet,
Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast

Don’t forget to get Foster parents name, address and phone number and your attorneys information also.

[Lauren57]

Michelle--

All I can say is WOW!!! That is a wonderful, comprehensive list. thanks so much for sharing it!!

Lauren, waiting for Michael, almost six months, hoping PGN gets it figured out soon!!

[Judge Menot]

Michelle,

I was wondering how I was going to pass the next (hopefully)few months as I wait for Joel to come home. Now I know: buying and packing for the trip!

Your list is invaluable, printed, and safely tucked away!

Sincerely,
Joe
Accepted Referral of Joel Joaquin on Father's Day 2003
Waiting for POA to be registered and New Regs TBA

[rose barton]

I am giving this a bump for asblair. We are traveling for a visit and I searched the archives for travel tips. I thought this was very helpful (and saved me tons of time creating my own list) and have adjusted it for our visit and baby's age. (need less for the baby etc.) Thanks bellasmommy.

[sassafrass]

Just want to say that I have visited 5 times and only brought one carry on.
This list is great for those who dont mind packing and lugging bags. waiting for bags and sometimes hunting them down when they are lost.
You'll be surprised how much you dont need. GC has everything your city has. Buy it here or buy it there and you dont have to lug it. prices are very similiar and alot of times cheaper.
I am in no way saying this isnt a helpful list, especially for the new moms.
This is just a suggestion for the people who may be overwhelmed by this very thorough list.

have fun getting ready!!

[Alf]

Wow, that is a great list!! I have one question tho, is that list just for the 3 day pick up trip? It seems like you were staying longer than that.

Lisa

[Janette Monteil]

HI All,

I am on the Yahoo Carry On Only e-list and the first tip to successful packing is: Put everything you need to take in your suitcase/ then take out 50% of it!!

Sounds like a LOT of stuff, how long are you going to be staying in Guatemala again?

The biggest mistake I made in my trip home with jeff at 6 months was attempting to mix formula on an airplane. I vowed not to do it again. I decided next time to take 4 or 5 ready to pour cans of formula with me on the plane. Think about it. Won't the can ready to feed formula weigh just about as much as a thermous and a few bottles of water? Especially those liners ever tried to mix formula in a disposable liner? It's hard.

just a thought
jan

[sak9645]

1. Packets of oral rehydration salts. These can be mixed with boiled or bottled water and given to your child if he/she has severe vomiting or diarrhea, so he/she doesn't become dehydrated and lose electrolytes. When you mix them with sterile water, they are as good as Pedialyte, but you don't have to carry a heavy bottle.

2. Baby food prunes. These can be given if a child is very constipated, and if drinking more liquids doesn't help. Or ask your pediatrician what he/she would recommend for a very constipated child.

3. Saline (non-medicated) nasal spray. This can help you suction out mucus with the nasal aspirator. It can help if your child's nose is very dry and sore, too. Bring one bottle for your child and one for you, as many adults find that the cabins on airplanes have very dry air and that their noses become uncomfortably dry. (Don't share bottles.)

4. Baby nail clippers/baby nail scissors. You may not want to scare your child by cutting his/her nails right away, but after a day or so, you may find that your child's nails are long enough for him/her to accidentally scratch himself/herself.


I am glad that you mentioned a nasal aspirator. It was something I used frequently on my adoption trip and during my child's toddlerhood. No one likes to talk about this unlovely device, which parents sometimes call a "snot-sucker", but believe me, you'll get a lot of use out of this cheap gadget. Initially, your child will hate it. Using it doesn't cause the child any pain, but the "pulling" sensation may feel "odd". Later on, he/she may well come to you, carrying it, asking that you help him/her clear his/her nose, as my daughter did.

If your child is big and/or over a year old, don't buy "infant" bibs. They simply aren't large enough for the messes that a young toddler or big infant will generate. I like the big soft vinyl toddler bibs with a front pocket. The ones I found were sold at a baby store, but manufactured for Save the Children; they featured multicolored stick figures of children, and a portion of the profits from the sale were donated to this child welfare organization. They go practically from shoulder to shoulder. You can just wipe them off, and the pockets catch things that are spilled.

Sharon

[rose barton]

I assumed that this list was for the pick up trip. I cut it down substantially for our use since we will just be visiting this time. I adopted a few years ago from Romania and would add:

1. Cut down especially on clothes for yourself. I took one set of nice clothes for the embassy and restaurants. I spent most of my time in my room with the baby and would immediately change into leggings and a T-shirt so the good clothes stayed nice.

2. I agree that mixing formula on a plane is hard. Besides pre-mixed cans, you could consider the travel packs of formula that are premeasured and can be mixed with room temperature bottled water. These were easy to pack because each pack was small - as opposed to a bigger can. There are also bottle that keep the formula and water separate until you are ready to use but that assumes the baby will drink from that type of bottle.

3. From what I have read, it is easy to get diapers etc in GC (especially near the major hotels). These are huge space wasters and heavy to lug around. THe same goes for bottled water. We dragged alot of water to Romania and then found we could get it at the hotel. We aren't going to do the same thing going to GC.

[oh well]

I guess if you still have babies you do have to take a few more things! Mine is nearly 2 now. Better get packing! oh well.

[csw]

Hi,
I would add that I always bring Carnation Good Start formula, I feel that it is the closest to the Nan that they use frequently over there...I bring alot of stuff each time, as I give alot to the foster mom. I am basically supplying all the formula..I leave 4 extra large cans every time I go...I am so afraid she will switch her to regular milk or powdered milk..so I make sure she has alot of formula. I also leave 4 or 5 outfits for Ana each time I go. I know you can buy baby food over there, but I use only organic food, so I have to bring it with me. If she was home, I would just make it myself.
Palmolive makes great dish detergent soaked disposable clothes now,,,I brought them to wash dishes and bottles with.
I am staying in a suite again, so I don't have to worry about thermos's of hot water. I did bring alot of breastfeeding supplies with me also,, Lact-aids,,SNS's and breast pump,,so these did take up alot of space in my suitcase.
I always bring ton's of gifts also,,in fact, we are bringing down Ana's Christmas dress, plus a dress for Easter in case she is not home by then..and several gifts for the foster mother and the parent coordinator. I have a baby monitor, 5x7 framed photo's of Ana and her foster mom..chocholates, a Christmas sweater, and I made the foster mom a Christmas ornament with Ana's photo in it.
For the parent coordinator, I have a digital radio alarm clock and Godiva chocholates..
I think our gifts this time will take up a whole suitcase! I am also having the extra "fun" of making meals and freezing them, and making menu plans etc..for when we are away and my neice will be watching our son. Hopefully this will be the last visit and next time we will get to take her home! We have 3 lawyers on the payroll now, so you would think we could get her home relatively soon...
Can't wait to see her again, but I am more nervous this time that she will have separation anxiety...she will be 6.5 months, almost seven when we go this time.
We'll see, Cathy

[Janette Monteil]

Many on the china adopt list swear by the Pack Mates zip lock type squeeze out the air bags. This may help with the diapers and with the extra clothes.

jan

[NeeNee]

I was doing a search for what to pack for the pick up trip(yes I know I have a long way to go yet! :O) but I need something to keep me busy!) and came upon this list. It's pretty amazing!

I do think I'll look into those little individual packets of formula for the trip home myself. Then I'll just fill the bottles I'll need for the trip home with water and add the packets as I need them.

Hope this is useful to some of you!!

[Bizzie]

Awesome list, I am such a list person...

Thanks, I printed it and am going to put it with my adoption paperwork etc, as a reminder.

[candkss]

thank you 4 the list!!!