One of the best things that you can do during your wait to travel is to collect items to donate to your child’s baby center. If you are bringing many items to Viet Nam that will be staying in country, it’s a great idea to pack a suitcase full of the donations—then you will have an empty suitcase to fill with gifts and souvenirs that you purchase in country. Mary over at the Ethiopia Adoption Blog just returned from Ethiopia with her two daughters. She packed large Rubbermaid totes with donations and wrote about how to do this successfully here.

Your adoption agency will be able to give you a list of specific items that their baby center(s) can use, but here are some ideas to get you started:

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  Plastic Pants (also known as rubber pants or diaper covers) – Gerber pants can be found in most Babies “R” Us and Target type stores at good prices. This seems to be one of the most requested items since babies in Viet Nam are almost exclusively cloth diapered.
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  SPONSOR
  

  
  
  
  Cloth Diapers and Diaper Pins
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  Baby Toiletries – diaper rash cream, powder, lotion, bath soap
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  Receiving Blankets
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  Towels
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  Baby Clothes – tee shirts, shorts, onesies, one piece rompers, sweat suits
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  Hats and Socks are always needed
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  Crib Toys – hard plastic or wood toys are probably best due to the inability to keep fabric and plush toys clean

When you’re out shopping for your new baby, consider picking up some items for the kids who will be staying at the baby center. Every little bit helps and you can find great deals on off season clothes and at garage sales and second hand stores. Also, spread the word that you will be accepting baby center donations and ask family and friends to consider passing on items that their kids have outgrown.


photo credit

More Reading:
How to Plan Your Purchases in Your Viet Nam Adoption
Viet Nam Packing Tips
Viet Nam Adoptive Family Interviews - Packing/Travel Tips

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