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Inspired by a reader’s comments and Faith’s post over at the Hoping to Adopt blog, I decided to dedicate a post to covering things to buy now, things to buy in Viet Nam, and things to buy after you get home.
Things to Buy Before You Travel
A few outfits for your new child(ren). If you can, wait until close to your travel date and ask your agency to get up to date height and weight measurements for you so you can buy the right size. Some stores have excellent return policies, so try to shop at those stores in case you need to return things after you get home.
A special outfit for the Giving and Receiving Ceremony. There are some times that your child’s baby center will put them in a special outfit, but it’s a good idea to have something on hand in case they don’t.
Pajamas without feet. All the pj’s we brought to Viet Nam for Ella had feet and they were all too short, so it’s a good idea to buy footless ones and bring socks.
A diaper bag with lots of compartments (especially useful for the plane ride home.)
Lots of gallon sized Ziploc bags – for wet clothes, snacks, toys, etc. Store some in your diaper bag for accidents.
If you plan to wear your child, start trying out carriers now so you are comfortable with them once you get to Viet Nam. We brought a Hot Sling and a Graco front carrier.
Bottles with disposable liners and a variety of nipples, along with a bottle brush.
Only 1 or 2 packs of diapers and wipes, unless you can return them if they don’t fit properly or irritate your baby’s skin.
A baby first aid kit with pain reliever, gas drops, aspirator, diaper rash cream, baby nail clippers, saline.
Shampoo, bubble bath and lotion that are formulated for sensitive skin. Many kids have a tough time skin-wise when they get back to the air conditioned hotel, so it’s best to keep their skin very hydrated.
Baby towels and blankets.
A few toys and books to bring with you. We brought the “I Love Baby” soft picture book filled with pictures of her family, friends and cats, and today she sleeps with it and wants to “read” it all the time.
An inflatable tub to use in your hotel’s tub – it won’t take up much space in your suitcase and will be invaluable if you are blessed with a very deep, very slippery tub like we were!
A car seat – be sure to install it before you leave and make sure that whoever is picking you up from the airport brings that vehicle with the seat in it.
Before you leave, I would recommend having the following ready for you at home: changing pad with covers, crib with mattress, bumpers and sheets, a baby bath and a baby swing or bouncy seat (depending on their age.)
My number one recommendation is to make and freeze meals before you leave. I had a marathon cooking day and made dozens of frozen meals before we left and they lasted us a few months after we got home. There is nothing better than having a meal ready to go when you can’t see straight from exhaustion and are adjusting to your new life at home.
Things to Buy in Viet Nam
At least 4 or 5 large cans of your child’s Vietnamese formula to bring home with you.
A few boxes of their Vietnamese cereal to bring home.
Diapers and wipes for your time in country. You will find many brands to choose from and if you have to go through 3 or 4 styles to find one that fits (like us!), you can just give the others to your facilitator to give to the baby center.
Pacifiers (if they will take one.) We brought orthodontic shaped pacifiers and Ella would have nothing to do with them. We found some in Hanoi that were nipple shaped, and that’s still the only style she’ll take.
Gifts and mementos for you and your child.
Things to Buy When You Get Home
Clothes and shoes! Now you know your child, how things fit them and what they are most comfortable in, so now’s the time to really go shopping!
American formula, cereal and food to begin transitioning them from their Vietnamese formula and cereal. After we got home we kept Ella on her Vietnamese formula and cereal for a few weeks so we could all settle in a bit, then started easing her into the American ones.
Other things to Consider
If you are having a welcome home party or baby shower, create a registry before you leave. Some things you may want to include:
Diaper Champ or Diaper Genie (you can use the Champ if you use cloth or disposable diapers)
Exersaucer
Stroller
Pack –n- Play
Gift Cards for stores like Target, Babies R Us or your local grocery store. These will come in very handy!
Related Links:
How to Prepare Your Child’s Room
10 Cute Things to Buy for Your VN Kiddo
Life With Ella – Shopping Problem
I was so dismayed that we had bought so much before we were able to travel to our little one. We were hoping to have her at five months, and were more prepared for that. We have a swing (used twice) and a bassinet (used maybe once or so) that I guess we will use for future children. We also have so many outfits that do NOT fit because our daughter is so small that the consignment store loves me.
I guess that I just suggest waiting until you have your child to judge what he or she will or won’t use.
Rebecca:
Thanks for the info. I have most of what you listed but, I have never seen an inflatable tub. Where did you find yours at? Can you get the Squeaker shoes in VietNam? I know I heard some talk about getting them in China. I hope so. I think they are so cute. I know in the states they run about $30 and in China they are like $2. I wil give this info to family members who just want to shop until their credit cards crumble. Understand, there are NO little girls in my family. Thanks!!!
Debra
sarah, you are so right! It takes a lot of willpower to hold off on shopping, but it can be done
Debra, another family we travelled with got the tub at Target-it was an inflatable duck tub. We did get Ella squeaky shoes! Squeaky sandals actually. We found them first at a market we went to, but our agency staff member thought they were too expensive, so she took me shoe shopping and we got them in a little shop for like $2 or something
Ooohh–your family (and you!) are going to have so much fun!!!
Take care and thank you both for posting!
Rebecca
Great information!
Thanks for the info Rebecca!!! You know the squeaky things come out of the shoes, if they get on your last nerve, you can take them out. I think the shoes are cute. I will probably take the squeakers out once I get them home. Our Target here should open in the next few weeks so I’ll put that on my list of things to get there.
Debra