Packing List for Infants
Packing List for Older Children
Packing List for Parents (still coming!)

June2001DTC Member Packing Lists:
Ana & Randall Southern

Medical Kit

Gifts to Bring to China
(suggestions by Province)

Other Resources

Packing List for Infants
thanks to the many second-time parents who have adopted infants

• Diapers -- purchase according to weight.  Some parents bring just a few, some bring many.  I brought enough for the whole trip, and when they were used, filled the space in the suitcases with gifts.
• Baby Wipes -- travel pack, or bring half of a big container, and you can pre-pack in Ziploc bags for smaller quantities that are ready to go!
• Formula -- talk with your pediatrician about milk or soy based.  I brought a minimal amount, and after the first week slowly started to add it in with the Chinese formula that I bought there.  By the time we returned to the US, she was adapted.
• Bottles -- bring three bottles, with about 6 nipples (in various shapes that fit your system) and wash there.  You can add powder in the bottles, and then mix with water when you need it. 
• Books and Toys -- your choice -- go to town!
• Clothes -- up to the parent.  However, I brought 2 outfits that I thought would be too small, I brought 8 outfits (mix & match) that I thought would fit, and one outfit that I thought would be too big -- when I got there, I figured out what she wore, and donated the rest to the orphanage.  (Also a great outlet for shower gifts that you are less than thrilled with...)  We went through 1-2 outfits a day, and did laundry at the hotel -- it was inexpensive and good.
• Baby Bjorn or other carrier -- bring a chest carrier or backpack with you.  Strollers can be purchased inexpensively, and rented from many hotels for about $1 a day.
• Giant vinyl tablecloth for spreading out on the floor
• Ziploc bags in all sizes (great for stinky diapers that hang out in the hotel wastebaskets)
• Cheerios or other baby snacks
• Duct tape (we used it to fix everything)
•  Medicines -- see medical resources listed below, and talk with your pediatrician

   

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Packing List for Older Kids
thanks to Lorna, who adopted Matilde at 3.4 years old

• Clothes -- 4-5 outfits that you think will fit, 2 outfits that you think will be too big, 2 outfits that you think will be too small -- and then buy more there!
• 1 pair of shoes that you think will fit, and buy the rest there
• Pull-Ups (there may be some regression with potty-trained kids)
• Panties -- remember that the kids run small!  And bring many more than you think you will need -- see note on regression with potty training above!
• Toys, Crayons & Picture Books (you may have to teach your older child what to do with them)
• Polaroid camera (so your toddler or older child can get used to looking at pictures, and have fun making the flat image)
• Photo Album from home -- to start getting used to what it will look like!
   

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Packing List for Parents
thanks for the many suggestions!

Coming Soon!
 

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Medical Kit information
thanks to suggestions from Terri, many, many parents who sent suggestions, as well as the Texas Medical Kit.  You can also get information from Dr. Borcher's website. 

• Acetaminophen
• Antibiotic -- prescription, reconstitute in China only if needed
• Pediacare
• Elimite -- presciption creme for scabies
• Lotrimin -- for yeast infections & infected diaper rashes
• Vaseline -- for use with an anal thermometer
• Thermometer -- anal under age of 2 (yes, it works!)
• Dosage spoon or syringe -- ask your local pharmacist - they will often give them to you for free, especially when you tell them what it is for!
• Measuring cup for reconstituting medicaitons
• Band Aids
• Q-Tips
• Hydrocortizone Creme -- 1% under the age of 4; 2% okay over age of 4 (verify with your own pediatrician)
• Alcohol swabs -- for use with an injection
• Syringes -- Check your local laws if you can carry these in the US.  (Lara's note:  I brought a variety for both Gwenn and myself.  My doctor gave me a handful in a variety of sizes -- I felt like an addict, but I was glad to have them -- I did see doc's re-using needles)
• Tongue Depressors -- some places still reuse these, although most medical clinics in Guangzhou now give each child a clean one (I brought a handful as well)
• Lice Treatments -- 1% Permethin (Dr. Borcher recommends!) -- others have used RidX
• Benadryl --
• Children's Tylenol
• Children's Motrin -- one works through the kidney, one through the liver -- can take these two closer together if needed for high fever (verify with your own pediatrician)
• Pediacare
• Neosporin
• Pedialyte -- there are brands that you can constitute yourself, and that makes your load lighter
• Maalox -- for diaper rash

Disclaimer:
These are suggestions -- this site doesn't give medical advice.  If you have questions, please speak with your pediatrician.

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Gifts to Bring to China
This is a suggested list of gifts, by Province, that is also posted on the CCAI Web site.  Although I've heard that some agencies recommend not bringing gifts, I've spoken with people who got to China and needed them -- double check, and then bring a few along regardless (and just be safe)...

jump to:
Anhui Province
Beijing
Fujian Province
Guangdong Province
Guangxi Province
Hubei Province
Hunan Province
Jiangsu Province
Jiangxi Province
Shaanxi Province (not to be confused with Shanxi Province)

Anhui
Usually they like the things that they can use or they can give to others as a gift.

To the registration and notary officials:

• Nice Pen
• Earrings, Necklace, Pin
• Good Quality lipsticks, lotion (all types)
• Photo frames (but not magnetic kind)
• Necktie;
• Official Sports T-shirt or cap( except green color)
• NO MONEY GIFT!

To the orphanage director and nannies:

• Nice Pen
• Good Quality lipsticks, cosmetics, lotion
• Photo frames (but not magnetic kind)
• Necktie;
• Official Sports T-shirt or cap (except green color)
• Nannies Only: money gift (USD$10)

Please! NO: Postcards, books, old clothes, nail polish, face powder, free samples, or toiletries from a hotel/motel.

Beijing

One of the staff who will accompany the family to do all the paper work: (1 gift)

• Good Quality Cosmetics
• Chocolate- American Made
• Scarf

Notary Official: (1 gift)

• Cosmetic
• Chocolate
• Scarf
• Pen

The officer in the police station: (1 gift)

• Wallet for man
• Tie
• Cash ($10-$20)

The officials in the registration office: (2 gifts)

• Fish oil (Omega 3 gel caps)
• cash ( $10-$20)

Orphanage director: (1 gift)

• Fish oil (Omega 3 gel caps)

Nannies: (2-3 gifts):

• Good quality cosmetics
• Scarf
• American made chocolate
• No cash at all for the Beijing orphanage personnel

Fujian Province

To the registration and notary officials:

• Perfume
• Watch
• Official Sports T-shirt
• Pen
• Cosmetics
• Stamps
• NO MONEY GIFT!

To the orphanage director and nannies:

• See items listed above
• Nannies or Foster Family Only: money gift (USD$10)

Please! NO:  bath gel, shampoo or body lotion, stationary or candy/chocolates.

Guangdong Province 

To the registration and notary officials:

• Small-medium size T-shirt
• good quality cosmetics
• Chocolate or candy – American candy only
• Nice pen
• Nice Stationary
• Scarf
• NO MONEY GIFT!

To the orphanage director and nannies:

• Small-Large size T-shirt
• Nice Pen
• Good quality cosmetics
• Scarf
• American made chocolate or candy
• Nannies Only: money gift (USD$10)

Guangxi Province

To the registration and notary officials:

• Official Sports T-shirt
• Good quality cosmetics
• Chocolate or candy – American candy only
• Nice pen
• Nice Stationary
• Compact tool sets
• Calculator
• NO MONEY GIFT!

To the orphanage director and nannies:

• See items listed above
• Nannies or Foster Family Only:  money gift – USD $10

Hubei Province

Local: Total Gifts Needed: 6

1. For Register: 1 gift
2. For Notary Officer: 1 gift
3. For Orphanage director: 1 gift
4. For Orphanage nannies: 3 gifts

Preferred Gifts:

• T shirts
• Body Shampoo 
• Making-up stuff
• Perfume
• Nice Pen
• Shaver
• Ties
• Baseball Hat
• Swiss knife
• Nice and Small Tools
• Body Lotion
• Candy or Chocolate

Not Preferred Gifts:

• Pencil
• Sticky Note Paper
• Stone
• Candle
• Photo Books
• Sticker
• Stamp
• Sales Sample
• Perfume
• Soap
• Hand-made crafts such as Indian People's Dream Catch Net
• State Medals

Hunan Province

Total Gifts Needed: 5 to 8

1. For Register: 1 gift
2. For Notary Officer: 1 gift
3. For Orphanage director: 1 gift
4. For Orphanage assistant director or other staff (delivering baby): 1 gift
5. For Orphanage nannies: baby raised in orphanage as a group: 3 gifts (Nannies work in groups)
6. For Foster Care Family: baby raised in foster home: 1 gift

Preferred Gifts:

• T shirts
• Shower Gel and Body Lotion (sets are good)
• Making-up stuff
• Perfume
• Nice Pen
• Shaver
• Ties
• Baseball hat
• Swiss knife
• Nice and small tool sets
• Candy or Chocolate – American made

Not Preferred Gifts:

• Pencil
• POST IT notes
• Stones
• Candles
• Photo Books
• Stickers
• Stamps
• Sample Perfumes
• Soap
• Hand-made crafts
• State Souvenirs

 Jiangsu Province (& Shanghai)

To the registration and notary officials:

• Small-medium size Official Sports T-shirt or cap
• good quality cosmetics
• Chocolate or candy – American candy only
• Nice pen
• Ties
• Nice Stationary
• Scarf
• Bath Gel and Body Lotion Sets
• NO MONEY GIFT!

To the orphanage director and nannies:

• Small-Large size T-shirt
• Nice Pen
• Good quality cosmetics
• Bath Gel and Body Lotion Sets
• Scarf
• American made chocolate or candy
• Nannies Only: money gift (USD$10)

Please! NO:  stationary or free samples.

Jiangxi Province

To the registration and notary officials:

• Small-medium size T-shirt
• good quality cosmetics and nail polish
• Chocolate or candy – American candy only
• Nice pen
• Practical tools like compact tool sets or flashlights
• Perfume
• Scarf
• Official Sports T-shirts
• NO MONEY GIFT!

To the orphanage director and nannies:

• Money gift (USD$10 each gift, converted to RMB)

Please! NO:  Body lotion, soap, notepad, postcards, candles, badges, table cloth, stamps.

Shaanxi Province

To the Registration (Civil Affairs) and Notary officials: 2 gifts

• Official Sports T-shirts or caps
• good quality cosmetics
• perfume
• Chocolate or candy – American candy only
• Nice pen
• Compact tool sets or flashlights
• NO MONEY GIFT!

To the orphanage director and nannies:

• Official Sports T-shirts or caps
• good quality cosmetics
• perfume
• Chocolate or candy – American candy only
• Nice pen
• Compact tool sets or flashlights
• Money gift:  USD$10, each gift, converted to RMB)
• Yulin orphanage: Babies are in foster care. $10 - $50 is a nice gift for the foster mothers.

 

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Other Resources

• Yahoo Group on travel to China -- http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ChinaTravel/
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