For those of you who traveled for your child..

IRR

We leave tomorrow morning and I think I remembered everything that I need for the two weeks away.  Diapers, formula etc we will buy there, but is there anything any of you can remember that you wish you had brought with you that you didn't or forgot?  Also, I know I can't really buy our EP's a gift yet.  I plan on doing that either for Christmas or her birthday in January, but suggestions there as well would be great.  Thanks in advance for any and all tips.

JodyA118

I will be going soon too. What are you bringing???? Are you flying to driving?

raecheleblue1

Safe travels for your trip!!  We were planning on driving and taking the following with us: car seat, PNP, Fisher Price Rock n Play (highly recommend!), some formula, diapers, Bobby (also a must if you have room), and a large suitcase with baby clothes in a  few sizes (newborn, 0-3) and a moby wrap to help with baby wearing and bonding.  We had the best of intentions, but our LO came early and we ended up having to fly.  We grabbed the large suitcase and re-bought the items listed above when we got down there.  We flew home with the car seat and shipped everything else back.  It wasn't ideal, but we made it work and now we have extra things for the grandparents' houses.  

As for the BM gift, we brought her a hospital care bag when we first met her at the hospital with things like granola bars, Burt's Bees products, hair bands, lotion, good chocolate.  Then when we were saying good bye the next day, after TPR had been signed, we gave her a card trying to put into words how we felt and our promises to her about LO.  We also gave her a necklace with three interlocking circles signifying our relationship.  It was something we felt had meaning but wasn't overtly adoption related if she wanted to wear it but not have to explain it to anyone if she didn't want to.  It was this one:  (sorry, on iPad and can't make clicky, or shorter) 

 https://www.tiffany.com/Shopping/Item.aspx?sku=28672411&mcat=148204&cid=578594&fromGrid=1&search_params=s+5-p+1-c+578594-r+-x+-n+6-ri+-ni+0-t+

 

Hope this helps and keep us posted! So excited for you!! 

jillianmb

Since we adopted a toddler most of the travel stuff we brought doesn't apply, but one thing I wish I brought was no-frangrance baby soap/lotion for sensitive skin.  We brought regular johnson&johnson since it was travel size but our little man has sensitive skin and does better with fragrance free.

 And for DH and I we loved having some good chocolate with us! It is nice to have some comfort food or a treat at the end of a long day with a new little one. 

DaisyZH

No advice, but just wanted to say I hope you have a smooth and safe trip - I'm excited for you, good luck!!

IRR

JodyA118:

I will be going soon too. What are you bringing???? Are you flying to driving?

 

We are flying.  The drive would be 17 hours, too long with an infant.  I have packed a bunch of baby clothes, including winter coat and hats, and a cute outfit for court.  Cloth diapers, wash clothes, baby body wash, bibs, bottles, pacifiers, diaper bag, bassinet sheet, swaddling blankets, and sleep sacks.  We had a stroller, bassinet and car seat shipped there and plan on picking up diapers, formula, rubbing alcohol, cotton balls, A&D ointment, nail clippers, baby wipes anything else we may have forgotten there.  I downloaded white noise onto my phone along with a log to keep track of food, poop and sleep stats to share with my pediatric doctor when we get home.  Not sure if I got it all, but hope this helps.

IRR

raecheleblue1:

As for the BM gift, we brought her a hospital care bag when we first met her at the hospital with things like granola bars, Burt's Bees products, hair bands, lotion, good chocolate.  Then when we were saying good bye the next day, after TPR had been signed, we gave her a card trying to put into words how we felt and our promises to her about LO.  We also gave her a necklace with three interlocking circles signifying our relationship.  It was something we felt had meaning but wasn't overtly adoption related if she wanted to wear it but not have to explain it to anyone if she didn't want to.  It was this one:  (sorry, on iPad and can't make clicky, or shorter) 

 https://www.tiffany.com/Shopping/Item.aspx?sku=28672411&mcat=148204&cid=578594&fromGrid=1&search_params=s+5-p+1-c+578594-r+-x+-n+6-ri+-ni+0-t+

 

YGPM 

JodyA118

This is so helpful. I have not begun to prepare. How will you be flying with the baby? In car seat or will u be holding the baby? Did you find out what the hospital provides? Any other in advance stuff I should do? Are you doing cord blood? I'm so excited for you!!!!!!

raecheleblue1

IRR:

raecheleblue1:

As for the BM gift, we brought her a hospital care bag when we first met her at the hospital with things like granola bars, Burt's Bees products, hair bands, lotion, good chocolate.  Then when we were saying good bye the next day, after TPR had been signed, we gave her a card trying to put into words how we felt and our promises to her about LO.  We also gave her a necklace with three interlocking circles signifying our relationship.  It was something we felt had meaning but wasn't overtly adoption related if she wanted to wear it but not have to explain it to anyone if she didn't want to.  It was this one:  (sorry, on iPad and can't make clicky, or shorter) 

 https://www.tiffany.com/Shopping/Item.aspx?sku=28672411&mcat=148204&cid=578594&fromGrid=1&search_params=s+5-p+1-c+578594-r+-x+-n+6-ri+-ni+0-t+

 

YGPM 

 

 Back at you!