[marypat31]

Hi All,

We are planning to visit our little girl in 3 weeks!

I'm a first time mom and I'm totally clueless as to the clothes I should pack for her. What kind? How many per day? Will she need a sweater, or a coat? Help, you can see I'm clueless.

Also, I'd like to leave all of the clothes with her foster mother...but I don't want to leave dirty clothes. We are staying at the Westin... are there laundry facilities there?

TIA for your words of wisdom
Mary Pat

[cbmstephanie]

The babies are used to being bundled up so I would take a little bit of everything. Bringing some short sleeved items is fine as long as you bring a sweater to go over if needed. Also depending upon the amount of hair I would take a little cap as most are used to wearing those much longer than we usually have them wear them here. The babies aren't used to air conditioning so if you have it on in your room you will want to make sure the baby has something a bit warmer on.

I would take 2 to 3 changes per day plus sleepware. I guess the philosophy I used on the first visit trip was...if in doubt..take it. I would much rather take too many items then not have something and spend any time fretting over it when we should be enjoying our visit.

We have stayed at the Marriott and they had a laundry service so I had them wash the clothes. I thought it was a little expensive...about $1.00 per item...even the really little items. When I gave the baby back and gave her the clothes as well, the Foster Mother said we shouldn't have washed them, she would have been happy to do it, so I wouldn't worry too much about giving back dirty items...I'm sure she will be OK with it.
Hope that helps! Have A Great Time!

[mommywannabee]

I forgot to take burp cloths when we visited and they would have been nice to have.

I would also take different types of clothing like Stephanie said - some lighter and some heavier. We took mostly heavy clothes and it was warm and our foster mom wore shorts on him so he was used to lighter clothes, but definitely take warm ones too - especially for sleeping because I wouldn't use a blanket on a baby that young and they are not used to air conditioning. Matter of fact, we turned ours off in our room to be safe. Maybe buy some of those baby sleepers - the ones that look like bags...

A blanket to wrap them in if you go outside is a good idea too - there were a few rainy days that were a little windy and chilly...and a light cap for her head would be good too.

And onesies...good for layering...

I never stayed at the Westin so I can't answer the question about the laundry facility...sorry...I'm sure someone can though.

[GuatMommy2Be]

We bought with us:

Dress with long sleeved onsie for underneath
Long sleeve shirt, pants
Jeans, Onsie that matched
Dress, cardigan
Dress

She only wore the 1st, 3rd, and 4th outfit. She left us day 2.. came back day 3.

We didn't have the AC on at all while she was with us, per instructions from our facilitator. Our room stayed a decent temp, but at times was hot!

[GuatMommy2Be]

Don't forget TYLENOL! You never know when you will need it.....

Also - TAKE a pacifier..... Those are two things I could have kicked myself in the butt for not taking.

[cbmstephanie]

I was also happy that we brought a baby bjorn baby sling with us. She loved being it...just snuggled in and went to sleep. One night when she was a little cranky, I put in on in the room and walked around and she was asleep in no time!

[annaguat]

Burp clothes, lots of them. Dispossable bibs and changing pads. It is nice to bring items you can layer. also bring socks and hats as the babies are used to being bundled. I was also worried about washing the baby clothes before handing back the babies but the foster mothers did not blink. I did back dirty clothes sepperate and let them know the clothes were dirty. You might hang burped on clothes in the room to dry before you bag them else they can grow mold. Other items are a sling and a umbrella stroller. If you look hard there are some that recline. I am not sur ehow old your baby it but that is a nice feature with young babies. Have a wonderful visit trip! Anna

[marypat31]

I just checked in and I'm so happy to see all of the great responses. You guys are great!

Keep 'em coming!

Thanks
Mary Pat

[Mariais5]

I didn't have a chance to read the other responses, so I hope I don't repeat anything..

As far as washing the clothes, I'm sure the Westin offers this service as the Marriott does... However, our FM told me when she dropped the baby off not to worry about washing them.. So, maybe you can ask what she prefers when she brings your daughter..

Take blankets, burpclothes, and about 2 outfits per day ~plus pjs.. I took about 3 outfits per day because I just love clothes! I took a sweater but didn't use it because she was wrapped in a blanket the whole time.. But, if your baby is older, Sofia was only 7 weeks, she may need a little sweater.. Also, take plenty of booties as they like to see the babies with something on their feet...

One thing I took for Bryce that I didn't take this time was disposable washclothes and baby towels... I really missed having them too! I will definitely take them next time..

[Hopingsoon]

I took way too many clothes - I could have changed the baby 4 times a day to get through them all. Most, I left with the foster mom. I washed everything with Woolite, and air dried them by a sunny window. I put the last outfit I was unable to wash in a zip lock bag, and put it in a different pocket of the travel bag we left with his foster mom.

[MeaSpelman]

We took several on the sleeper type outfits,onesies,hats, burp clothes, socks,recieving blankets the thermal type ones and wrapped him up he loved it. We also brought disposable diapers,babywipes, tylenol,formula, bottles, pacifier, baby lotion, diaper rash cream, smaill baby washclothes and a towel,we purchased bottled water from the pharmacy to mix bottles. We sent a huge duffel bag back with the foster mom. The Westin has great strollers to rent. Our baby actually slept in the stroller it just seemed a bit more secure than the portable crib we had. The laundry facilities at the Westin were quite expensive. Our foster mother was grateful for the clothing she had no problem with washing them. She asked if we wanted the clothing back but we told her that when he outgrows them she could pass them on to another baby in need. The Westin is very helpful if you need to order from the pharmacy that is how we got our formula. I emailed the agency asked them what kind he was using and they let me know prior to leaving. It was NAN which is hard to get in the US. As soon as we arrived at the hotel we had it ordered and by the time our baby arrived we had it waiting. We also used the coffee pot in our room to heat up bottles we just ran water through and set the bottle in for a very short time and the bottle was warm. I know this is a long post but being a first time parent in another country in a hotel could be overwhelming. Fortunately I have two teenage children.

Mea

[kare4you]

Several blankets, burp cloths, tylenol, antigas drops (our son was still pretty colicky at 3 months), and the one piece flannel footie pajamas (or the bag ones)...I have asthma, so I had to have the A/C on to breath and the babies are not used to it. We also brought a bouncer...it was great for while we were eating and Drew LOVED it!!! I would also bring one of those baby backpack things that strap your child to you...my arms were not used to holding 13 lbs. Passport carrier that hangs around your neck and will hold money was extremely useful (Walmart-$6).
Karen

[ksunstar]

We are going to see our angel in 22 days (not that I am counting).
I went to Babies R Us this weekend and I have the following so far:

5 receiving blankets
5 washcloths
2 sleepers with feet (one Christmas one baby Zoe)
1 blanket sleeper
1 hooded towel
2 portable crib sheets
Socks, 1 pair slippers, 1 hat
4 pairs pants
4 long sleeve, 1 short sleeve shirt
6 tiny onesies and 2 thicker onesies
Pumpkin costume/sleeper with feet
Small Christmas Velvet dress with Red Velvet Hat
Umbrella Stroller
Baby Wipes, Diapers, Bottles, Bottle drying rack
Sippy cup, Teething Ring, Small Toys
Christmas presents (Maracas that speak Spanish and English and a Baby Doll)
Snuggli Baby Carrier
Thermometer
Brush, Nail Clippers, Diaper Rash Cream
Spoons
Photo Album with pics of us and the house and the extended family with spanish words for all next to pics
One time use camera
Tape player with tape (with us singing to her while we are there)
Medicine droppers and various medicines (waiting for pediatrician suggestions next week)
Digital Camera and Video Camera and Laptop to download all the pictures we take so we can take more!

Can you tell we're first time parents?
I have never been so excited in my life!

Kristina

[kirbystarcat]

I used Woolite too and hung the clothes to dry in the bathroom. I was afraid the detergent the hotel would use would irritate her skin.
I took about 12 onesies for a 4 1/2 day trip. This was just about right. I woefully misjudged what size diapers she would need, so we had leakage/blowout issues the first couple days.
Other than that, I had a nice outfit to wear each day on her, a play outfit, and pajamas for each night.
Have a great trip!

[krambk]

Just a few things that I havent seen mentioned that definitly came in handy for us on our trip!

Thermometer
Nose bulb
Baby Vics
(our baby had a cold)
Bottle Brush
Small bottle of dish soap
Lots of Little Trash bags (we brought a roll)
For those stinky diapers
Trust me you dont want to smell them until housekeeping comes to take out the trash!
Night Light
Imodium(for us)
Pepto Bismol(for Us)