Packing

We have been packing, packing, packing, and then repacking. Hubby was a sweetheart and grabbed some uber-decadent Cheesecake Factory for dinner. We took a break and watched The Hunger Games while eating our cheesecake. I am not exactly sure what that says about us, but I don't think it's good. Anyways -  GREAT movie...I feel like the last person on earth to see it, but on the plus side I don't have to wait that long for the sequel.  

 

What am I going to take....(baby-wise, my knickers are not of interest)

 

1.Diapers

 276 to be exact, all size newborn. If there is one thing I found impossible to track down while I was on a reconnaissance mission for baby goods in India, it was newborn size diapers. I found Size 1 at a store in the M block. But newborn diapers were nowhere...

  

2.Formula 

This is tough - with so many choices, it is hard to nail down what to use. I went with Enfamil Premium Newborn but really only because it was what my pediatrician recommended, and I got loads of free samples.

 

We're taking 1 case of the 2oz nursettes and half a dozen 8oz powder canisters. I think this seems like a lot, but I would rather have too much than too little. If you haven't already registered with the formula companies, you can do it online and I highly recommend it.  I do know that some IPs have purchased and used the formula in India with great success. We just didn't want to have to switch when we got home.

 

3. Bottles

 Playtex drop-ins -  these are fanfabulafrickingtastic <- not in the dictionary don't look it up.

 

If you live in a place that sells these, run (don't walk) and purchase them for India. So you drop in a liner, then insert a nipple, screw on a ring and voila. As a bonus, the liners are disposable. Now for the best part: the bag mechanism of it all keeps air out of baby's tummy.

 

So why are parents of the world not tossing regular bottles, and all bowing to the royal greatness that is Playtex drop-ins. Because, my friends, when our sweet little dears get older they throw things and their ammunition of choice is the bottle. And Playtex drop-ins make a crazy mess when tossed. But for India it's not a problem since newborns don't play toss yet. 

 

We are also bringing a dozen of the disposable Enfamil nipples for the nursettes. They say they are disposable, but you can wash and reuse them a few times. I have not seen these sold in stores, but are available online for roughly $1.00 (USD) a piece.

 

4. Clothing

 

 0-3 mo. sizes  - my baby outgrew newborn sizes at 35 weeks :)

 

10  onesies

8 sleep gowns

8 footed sleepers  

5 pants

12 pair of socks

4 bows (we still don't know if it is a  girl or not and a girl can not be without her bow)

6 gender neutral hats

5 bibs

6 Halo swaddle sleep sacks (this is possibly overboard, but I have been given them as hand-me- downs from friends who swear by them)

 

 

5. Cleaning

Medela sanitizing bags - I used these when I was pumping; they are fantastic and take up no room in the suitcase

Munchkin pacifier wipes

Organic hand sanitizer

Box of zip-lock bags

Trash bags that supposedly block scent - some hotels don't  provide bags in the bins and with diapers need I say more...

I will buy the soaps and what not when in India

 

 

6. Misc.

Grooming kit with aspirator, small tweezers etc.

4 blankets (I plan to purchase a few more while in India)

1 diaper bag

5 burp cloths

2 bath towels

6 baby wash cloths

1 Phil and Ted's cocoon, I got a red one :)

 

And a partridge in a pear tree....

 

 

 

Disclaimer: The disposable items (diapers, liners, and nipples) are not very good for the environment. But given the constraints of a hotel room, one must balance responsibility to the earth with responsibility to sanitation. We definitely plan to limit the use of these uber-convenient items once we return home.