Travel sacks, great for carry on. You can see through them so security is less likely to rummage through your stuff. Also available in different sizes.
You always bring too much on your first trip and although we did rather well there are some things we wish we would have brought and several things we didn't need. Here is a packing list for our next trip- around the end of February.
Items I am glad I brought: diapers (yes you can get them in China but I was the lucky one who didn't have to mess with finding them when we got there plus I had good quality diapers :). I tucked them into every pouch and pocket in the luggage so it didn't really take up too much room. tongs, thermos (a must if you are adopting a baby and will have bottles), plastic container (for washing and rinsing bottles- this item didn't take any extra room because I stuffed it full of other items), mailing tube (for art work- again stuff it full of other items)
Items I didn't bring but needed: Senekot! (babies and children can become constipated or develop diarrhea from the transitional stress. Luckily a nice couple had some chocolate flavored senekot which they shared. We added it to our daughter's milk. More Flu/cold medication ( I caught a terrible bug and didn't have enough- luckily another family blessed me), a baby carrier - do not buy one there! We did and our daughter almost fell out of it. They are not safe like the ones here.
Here is a sample of my packing list:
MEDICAL
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pepto bismol tablets and 1 small -liquid - took one after each meal. |
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lomatide-diarrhea meds |
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Tamiflu (depending on season) |
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any prescription meds |
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vitamins |
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ibuprofen |
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Excedrin |
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sleep aid |
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Zicam lozenges |
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adult antibiotic such as Cipro - so glad we had it- on our second trip we all had a stomach bug. |
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children's antibiotic - powder |
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Adult cold/flu med. |
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children's Tylenol |
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children's cold meds |
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senokot baby -constipation |
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baby suppositories |
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powdered electrolyte packs |
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saline nasal spray |
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eye drops |
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jet lag med. |
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small first aid kit |
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anti itch cream |
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benedryl |
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thermometer |
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lice & scabies (Elimite)prescription |
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MEDIA
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video camera |
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batteries & charger |
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Nikon |
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cards- Nikon & video camera |
1 |
instant camera |
2 |
panoramic cameras |
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DVD's and portabel player if bringing other children! |
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lap top & cords |
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Panda phone |
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adapters - |
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CD-R's for media |
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x-ray bag- for media cards |
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soft music CD- nice to have for baby and you. I got tired of Peking opera... |
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MISC - Many of these items are small and do not take a lot of space.
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pack it cubes and sacks -great for organization! |
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wet wipes |
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fold up travel nylon bag |
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small scissors |
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brush/hair accessories |
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make up |
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zip bags 1 lar., 1 sm., 1 gal./w.o box - great for everything from dirty diapers, a bit of dirt to take home , Cheerios |
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antibacterial solution w/1 holder - hooks on backpack |
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bright luggage strap- you can locate your luggage quickly and easily. |
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duct tape-small-flat |
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paper clips/pens/rub.bands, folder for documents -glad I had. |
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travel journal- ink pad. for foot and hand prints in China...so precious |
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contacts/ glasses/ reading glasses |
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contact solution |
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contact eye drops |
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flashlight small (very handy) |
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AA batteries |
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ear plugs - didn't really need |
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large bowl (to wash/rinse bottles!) |
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tiny dish liquid (for bottles) |
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calculator - unless your a math genius |
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small packs of tissue- you will thank me, you will thank me, you will thank me. |
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tissue w/lotion out of box |
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clock |
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travel raincoat- disposable - so glad we brought! |
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contact list |
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plastic measure shaker container (mixing formula) |
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Bible |
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tongs- a must for bottles & nipples |
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tiny umbrella |
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backpack |
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packet of disposable toothbrushes- Although the plane and hotels supplied them..I was so glad to have these to use. |
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pillow cases - very nice to have |
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fax/phones#'s for doctors/med.insurance. |
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Travel Insurance-Travel guard - very inexpensive and worth the peace of mind. |
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laundry sink paks- glad I brought - some hotels there offer these. |
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crackers/snacks/comfort food - I personally didn't need |
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tiny coffee packets/ hot cocoa packs. - glad I brought part of my comfort food :) |
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travel size-soap/shampoo/cond/tooth - the hotels provide these but I used mine also. |
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small plastic cups- I didn't really trust the glasses in the room |
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luggage locks and tags (inside and outside of luggage.) |
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BABY ITEMS
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thermos - a must!! |
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zinc oxide diaper rash ointment |
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2 |
small plastic spoons |
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baby liquid bath/shampoo |
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baby lotion |
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plastic keys |
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stacking cups |
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1 |
coat / sweater depending on travel.. |
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oatmeal bath |
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baby anti itch cream |
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2 |
small board books |
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Cheerios - a necessity :) |
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ambesol - also good for bites or stings and boo boos :) |
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hip sling |
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1 |
hat winter /mittens |
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bottles/nipples - I brought regular ones - the number depends on the age of child. Most children there do not use tippy's so don't bring them. |
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4 sweaters /4 shirts |
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4 socks |
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4 tights |
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3 leggings |
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4 jumpers/ |
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pack of disposable baby washcloths - nice and takes little to no room |
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diapers - 80 pack thin |
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2 |
blankets |
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baby nail clipper |
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medicine dropper |
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finger food |
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q-tips |
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coat / fleece jacket |
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small tube of vaseline |
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Gifts- for ayis, director, foster family, civil affairs office |
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red bags for gifts and red envelopes for monetary gifts |
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List of questions for CWI ayis & director. You will forget everything when thast precious little one is placed in your arms. |
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CLOTHING
This really depends on you and the season you travel. Laundry service is readily available and inexpensive in most cases. Four days worth is fine. I brought 1 pair of shoes. Bring a pair of sandals or slippers. The hotel may provide them but not in all areas.
LUGGAGE
This time - one large to check, one carry-on, back pack, shoulder strap carrier (very small for $, tickets etc..) As a woman you can usually carry on one bag, a purse, and diaper bag. As little and as light as possible is the best rule. I did make sure we had one day supply for adults and children in case our luggage was lost. Also carry all your paperwork (of course). I halso have a couple of the travel cubes (picture above). These come in different sizes.
BUY THERE
A stroller
A large duffel to put your clothes in on the return trip - put your souvenirs in your firmer luggage. I picked one up both times for about 8.00.
Leave medicines, stroller and anything else you don't need at Jennifer's Place.
Toiletry bag from Land's End.
