What to Bring for Yourself
____Two good pairs of walking shoes
____Comfortable and casual clothes
____Camera (make sure you have fully charged batteries), lots of film, or a Polaroid camera (guides, interpreters, officials and other families all love having a photo of themselves with the children and families)
____Index cards or a small pocket organizer (for addresses, reminders, notes about the pictures you took)
____Camcorder
____Duct tape (for all kinds of things)
____Hats and sunscreen
____Comb, brush, hair dryer (AC adapter)
____Umbrella
____Two plastic containers to cool off sterilized water in your room
____Calculator for exchange rates
____Anti-bacterial wipes, Immodium AD, Pepto-Bismol, Tylenol, prescription antibiotic, written prescription for glasses
____Good book, magazines, phrase book
____Neck pillow for airplane (inflatable) and pillowcase
____Food (instant soups) for meals in your room
____Small flashlight
____Mailing tube to carry artwork home
____Alarm clock
Baby Items
____Resealable bags (useful for lots of things, including carrying formula)
____Diapers (bring some, but you can also find them in China)
____Baby wipes
____Baby blankets and towel
____Umbrella stroller
____Sling or front pack
____Age-appropriate toys (board books, keys, chewy for teething, mirror toys)
____Soy formula (your child may be lactose intolerant)
____Thermal bottle for keeping warm water for bottles
____Age-appropriate snacks (Cheerios, graham crackers)
____Baby nail clippers
____Anbesol for teething, baby Tylenol,baby Tylenol cold or Dimetapp
____Baby spoon and bowl
____Baby cereal
____Baby sun hat (can be hot, and this really helps) and sunscreen
____Disposable bottles with round nipples and disposable liners
____Clothes -- about nine outfits
____Inflatable bathtub
____Diaper changing pad
____Drool bibs
____Baby shampoo, baby lotion, Eucerin cream
____Prescription antibiotic (in powder form)
____Baby socks (again, a few different sizes)
____Pacifiers (bring several styles -- it's hard to know which kind your baby will like)
____Nasal bulb aspirator
____Baby suppositories
First Aid Kit
____Plastic box about the size of a shoebox
____Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen
____Cephalexin 250/s 200 ml
____Oral decongestant (Dimetapp, Triaminic, Pediacare or Rescon)
____Elimite 20 gm (for scabies and head lice)
____Mytrex or Nystatin/Triamcinilone (for infected diaper rash)
____Triple antibiotic ointment
____Vaseline or K-Y Jelly (for use with thermometer)
____Thermometer
____Dosage spoon and dosage syringe
____Measuring cup for Cephalexin
____Bandages
____Q-Tips
____Diaper rash cream
____Hydrocortisone cream 1% (for itching, rashes)
____Sodium Sulamyd otic drops (for eye infections)
____Alcohol swabs (if injections needed)
____Syringes with needles
____Rehydration salts or Pedialyte (for vomiting and diarrhea)
____Tongue depressors
Gift Suggestions
____Small makeup kits
____Guidebooks from your area
____T-shirts with English writing on them
____Hats (teams from your home town or state)
____Perfume, cosmetics, scarves
____Cassette music tapes
____Postcards
____Sports souvenirs, esp. Chicago Bulls (Michael Jordan) stuff
____Chocolate
____Pens
Things to Bring Home
____Carved "chop" (name stamp) with your baby's name on it
____Delicate silk embroideries mounted in teak frames
____Silk pajamas
____Children's songs in native language
____Lovely jade pieces
____Carpets
____Kites
____Freshwater pearls
____Cloisonne jewelry
____Kid-size cloisonne silverware
____Cloisonne or rosewood chopsticks
Travel Guides about China
Adopting In China: A Practical Guide/An Emotional Journey by Kathleen Wheeler, Ph.D., et al.
Dos and Don'ts in China: The Traveler's Guide to Culture by Wilson Learning Corporation
Fodor's Citypack Beijing by Sean Sheehan
Fodor's Citypack Shanghai by Christopher Knowles
China Guide: Be a Traveler -- Not a Tourist--by Ruth Lor Malloy
Source: Families with Children from China
Read more about traveling to China and be sure to check out Adoption Central's China Country Kit
