Intercountry adoption - travel

Intercountry; adoption; travel; plane; medicines; adopt; family. ;

Contents

• Clothes to take for your child
• Things to take
• Medicines to take
• Feeding
• What to take for the children
• What to carry children in
• Travel checklist
• Questions to ask when you get there
• The trip home
• Resources
• References
• Acknowledgements

Going overseas to get your new child is a great adventure. However there can also be difficulties. Parents who have been overseas to bring home their adopted children have provided much of the information here. Always talk to people who have been to the country you are adopting from before travelling to adopt a child.

Clothes to take for your child

As parents will be travelling to various countries to collect children of different ages, it is not possible to say exactly what to take, but this is a guide.

• Check to find out what the weather is likely to be at that time of year. This can often be done on the Internet or look at travel guide books.
• Use the weight and height of your child (you get this at allocation) as a guide to sizes to take.
• In many countries the children are unable to take their clothes with them, even what they are wearing.  You need to take something to change the child into.  You may wish to bring clothes to try to swap, so the child has some familiar clothes.  You could also bring a teddy bear or toys that you may be able to swap, so the child can keep a toy he's used to.
• Children may become attached to the first set of clothes you give them, or to what they had before. Don't throw away clothes, even if they are not what you really want your child to wear. Wait and see whether they are important to the child.

Clothes for babies

• Singlets - You will need these for the trip back to Australia as it is likely to be colder in Australia, also air-conditioning in a hotel can be cold for the child.
• Nappies - Take disposable nappies. You will need about 5-7 a day for baby, toddlers do not need as many. You can buy them in some countries but may be a good idea to take one pack with you even when you are going to a place where you can buy them.
• Grow suits - take a few.
• A good outfit to arrive home in.

Clothes for older children

• Pull up disposable pants or nappies - Take a pack of these so your child will not be upset about mistakes. Also children may not be toilet trained or may go backwards for a while under stress. Nappies may be more useful than Pull-ups, depending on the child. Nappies can be changed without taking off shoes and clothes.
• A few sets of clothes - Take clothes suitable for the age group, be guided by the weight of the child for the size if you know this. If travelling to hot countries T-shirts will be useful.

Clothes for plane travel

• Air-conditioning on planes is often cool, you may need a cardigan and one for the child or you can use plane blankets.
• Shorts and T-shirts with a tracksuit to go over the top can cover tropical weather to Australian winter.

Availability of children's clothes in different countries

• Ethiopia
• Clothing in good repair is scarce in the orphanages, so you need to take everything with you for your child.
• Take a range of sizes. You can leave the clothes which do not fit at the orphanage .
• Nappies are available but supply is limited and they are expensive, so take enough to last your stay.
• Take disposable pants for an older child even if you are told she is toilet trained.
• The Philippines
• Shops are readily available and cater for English speaking visitors, so you are able to buy extra disposable nappies etc. without too much hassle.
• Clothes and shoes are plentiful, cheap and of good quality in the Philippines.
• Korea
• You can buy baby items from shops, however it is advisable to take a pack of disposables with you. Baby clothes under size 1-2 can be hard to find.
• Hong Kong
• There is a full range of clothes at shops and markets. It's no trouble to get extra nappies, etc.
• Thailand
• Clothes are reasonably priced and easy to get.

You may wish to take a package of clothes to leave behind - children have lots of fun dressing in different outfits when they don't have many clothes.

Things to take

• Disposable nappies (depending on the country).
• Dummies.
• A list of questions to ask about the child, eg what foods she likes, how she sleeps, what toys etc.
• Information about managing diarrhoea (See the topic Gastroenteritis).
• Something to heat food with.
• General childcare information.
• Blue Book (Personal Health Record), Toddlers A-Z, The Feeding Book [all available from Children, Youth and Women's Health Service in South Australia (08) 8303 1551].
• Plastic bags for dirty nappies.
• Nail clippers are useful.
• Weetbix** are a good standby if you are not sure what to give toddlers to eat.
• Instant noodles.
• You can buy blow-up pillows for the plane trip.  These are very restful for tired necks.  They are available at department stores, chemists or at the airports.

Medicines to take

Note: As a precaution, carry a written prescription for any medicines you may be taking with you, to show that you are not bringing any illegal substances into the country.

For parents

• Vaccinations
  These need to be done early, so if you have any reaction you can get over it well before travelling. For a guide on what you need, talk to your doctor, contact a Travellers' Health Centre, or, in Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade 'Smartraveller' site http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/
• For Upset Stomachs
  Your doctor can advise and prescribe for you what to take for diarrhoea and for nausea and vomiting. In some countries medicines may not be easy to get and the dosage may be written in a foreign language.  Avoiding gastro etc by only using water that is known to be safe is more important than medicines. See the topic 'Protecting your family from infections'.
• For Fever and Headaches
  Paracetamol or ibuprofen.
• Eyedrops
  Many countries have polluted air. Eyedrops may help soothe tired eyes.

For children

• Ears
  • Take paracetamol (or ibuprofen) with you so the instructions for the dosage are in English (aspirin is not suitable for under 12 year olds). See the topic Using paracetamol and ibuprofen for more information.
  • Take a decongestant such as Sudafed/Demazin** for nasal congestion and ear infections. You should get your child to try this in your hotel room at least 12 hours before travelling on the plane, so you know how your child responds to it (it makes some children very irritable).
• Settling
  You may like to take an infant sedative for the plane in case your new infant is very unsettled - discuss this with your doctor before leaving.
• Sore Bottoms
  Anti fungal creams, eg. Canesten** or Daktarin**
  Nappy rash creams.
• Teething
  Take a teething gel from the chemist and a teething ring.
• Worms
  You could take worm medicine, however you are more likely to use this after you return home and have the child checked out by your doctor (you need to check what is the right medicine for the country the child comes from).
• Skin cream
  Dry skin is common. You can have the child's skin checked on your return to Australia. Sorbolene and glycerine are useful for the dry skin. Almond oil can be used in small amounts when doing baby massage.

You may need to take a traveller's medical first aid kit - discuss this with your doctor or the Traveller's Health Centre.

See also the topic Intercountry adoption - physical health

Feeding

Bottles
Here are some suggestions from parents who have bottle-fed their children when overseas:

• Disposable bottles can be used so you do not have to worry about sterilising bottles.
• Sachets of dry formula are available in single feed quantities and can be obtained from chemists.
• The dry formula dispenser pack has formula ready to make up, but you still need to add boiled water.
• "Ready to feed" formula is heavy and expensive and sachets are probably available and easy to use.
• Bottles can be sterilised on the plane using a plastic bag, water and Milton** tablets.
• Disposable sterilising bags are available. They have a line to fill to and can be hung on anything using the drawstring.

Take a Birco** (little electric jug) or similar to boil water for bottles or for boiling water for older child's drinks or parents' tea/coffee. Or take an element which you can place in a cup. You need to take a variety of adapters (plugs) for different electricity supply - the information you get about which kind to take is not always right.

Read the topics on bottle feeding, and feeding toddlers and older children before you go!

What to take for children

Toys

• Babies:
  Take a soft toy and colourful rattle.
• Older children:
  • Book/soft toys.
  • A blow up ball or toy is useful because it is easy to pack (let them down for plane travel).
  • Use what is available in hotel room for games, eg. waste paper bin for playing 'put in/pull out' games.
  • Cups and spoons can be used for games.
  • One suggestion is to take a backpack into which you can put your child's own toothbrush, flannel and wet pack and brush. It is also good for carrying dolls and books on the plane trip home.
  • Children enjoy a doll with changes of clothes
  • They might also like to see photos of their new home, Mummy, Daddy, brothers and sisters, grandparents, dog, etc.

Dummies
Take some to try as soothers. In some countries they will probably be given to you if the child uses one in the foster home.

What to carry children in

When travelling with a baby or older child you may wish to use something to carry them, as they get heavy when you hold them for a long time, and they may need somewhere to sleep.

• Slings are useful for babies. It may be a good idea to take one, as they may not be available in all countries. 
• Back packs are useful for carrying a toddler around, while touring or travelling home.
• Pusher/Strollers 
  A pusher is useful for toddlers while waiting a long time for flights/travel. The toddler can sit or sleep in the pusher. Many countries have roads with very rough surfaces, which can make them difficult to use. A collapsible one is easier to handle when travelling.

Travel Checklist

Documents ...................................................
Clothes for your child ....................................
Clothes for yourself .......................................
Food ............................................................
Toys ............................................................
Something to carry the child in .......................
Medicines for your child .................................
Medicines for yourself ....................................

Questions to ask when you get there

The best way of helping children make changes is to have as much as you can of what is familiar to them. It is useful if you are able to ask about the care of your child and what routines your child is used to.

Take the opportunity to find out what you can from the foster parents or child care worker. (Foster parents may not speak English so ask the Social Worker to get information from the foster parents for you). Remember, however, that you will have to be sensitive to the country's culture and that some foster parents may see your questions as a criticism of their care for your child.

Here are some things that it may be helpful to find out about:

• Sleeping
  
• How often? Where? How do they get the child to sleep?
• Are there any little special things they do to get the child to sleep? How do they hold the baby to settle?
• Bathing
  
• How often? Where? Does the child like/dislike her face getting wet?
• If your child is older, does he wash or dry himself?
• Feeding
  
  • How often? What formula? How do they make formula? (Sometimes the formula may have been more diluted than the tin recommends, so do not be surprised if the bowel action changes when you feed full strength formula). Do they put anything in the formula and if so what?
  • What else does the baby drink? Does she drink boiled water or rice water?
  • How does she drink? From a cup, bottle or special drinking cup?
• Solids
  
• What does the baby eat? How are the solids prepared, pureed or lumpy? What does the child eat? How is it prepared, cut up, mashed etc. What does the child dislike?
• Attachment Toys
  
• Does the baby/child have any special toys?
• Routine
  
• Does the child have a daily routine? What is it?

Note.Don't worry too much if the child likes to eat only one or two things. Young children often seem to thrive on eating the same thing. Go by your child's appetite when deciding how much he should eat. All children are different.

The trip home

Get someone to explain to older children in their own language what is going to happen, eg about the plane trip home, and that you will look after them if they are scared.

The trip home could be smooth but sometimes there are difficulties coping with young children on a long plane journey. Here are some tips which may help.

Food

• Take food that the child likes to eat. Some airlines do not supply food for children under 2 years so you need to take food that is suitable for your child's age.

Airlines

• Some airlines are better at supporting parents travelling with children. You may wish to ask your host family and other parents who have travelled previously, which airlines provided most help.
• If your child is older it maybe worth travelling on the airline which speaks the child's language, eg travel Thai Airlines for child adopted from Thailand. The airline staff would be able to communicate with your child for you, particularly about the flight / toilet / food etc.
• If you are able to organise your plane trip back to Australia during the baby's / child's night time, then you are more likely not to disturb the child's pattern. The child is more likely to sleep through most of the trip even if you find it difficult to sleep.

Seating

• If you are travelling with a baby you can ask to have a bulkhead seat, which gives you more leg room and a place for a bassinette.
• When travelling with an older child, the bulkhead seats give you more leg room. However the arm rests do not fold up, as they have the tray attached. It may be more comfortable to travel in the normal seats, as you can at least fold back your arm rest to enable your child to sleep with his head on your lap. If the plane is not crowded the airline staff may give you an extra seat so your child can stretch out.

Airline staff

• If you are travelling alone, when booking your ticket ask the airline staff to provide you with an assistant at every stop. This assistant will help you with collecting your luggage, make transfers to connecting flights and help you with reboarding the plane.
• When the airline staff ask you at the start of your flight if you will need any help, say yes. Then tell them that you will need help to heat the bottles and/or solids, may need help with changing nappies and at meal time to eat your meal. This is when you decide whether to tell the staff that you have only just been united with your child so may need more support from them.

Clothes

• As discussed in the section on clothing, it is best to dress your child in lighter clothes with heavier clothes over the top. This will enable you to easily remove or add clothing depending on the temperature on the plane and for the different temperature when getting off.

Changing nappies

• The change area in the toilets is very small, so you may find it easier to change in the basinette or on your seat.
• Check the nappy first, if it is a dirty nappy you will have to go to the toilet as the smell will offend other passengers.

Taking off and landing - what to do

• If you can have a baby asleep at these times then it will be easier for the baby and yourself.
• If not, allow the baby, or child if she still uses a bottle, to suck on the bottle. The sucking and swallowing action will help with any build up of pressure in the ears.
  • Try delaying a feed until take off or coming down and feed the baby at this time. This may not work, so have one ready for take offs and landings. Even if the baby only takes a small amount this may be enough to help with ear discomfort.
• For older children, have a drink and cup available to offer a drink at these times. If the child is old enough you may wish to have a soft sweet for the child to suck and chew.

Toys

• If you are taking your toddler or child with you when collecting his new brother or sister it will help to have a collection of surprises for the trip.
• Pack a comfort or cuddle toy which your child likes for travel on the plane. Take some toys which are old favourites that your child has not seen for awhile, and bring these out during the trip.
• Small toys such as little dolls/people, cars, trucks, trains are good for playing on the tray top.
• The airline baby/children's pack is useful as it is something different for children.
• For babies, have a range of colourful toys which have different shapes and sounds to amuse the baby.
• Peek a boo type games are good. You may find some of the passengers near you may engage your baby/child with this activity.
• The airline staff may help you by taking your baby for a walk down the aisle. 

Resources

South Australia

Adoption and Family Information Service (AFIS) of South Australia - phone 8207 0060 www.adoptions.sa.gov.au

References

Focus groups with parents from the Australian Aiding Children Adoption Agency (AACAA).

Johnson D. International Adoption Medicine Program, University of Minnesota
http://www.peds.umn.edu/iac/  

Acknowledgements

CYH would like to acknowledge the contribution of the Australian Aiding Children Adoption Agency (AACAA) and Dr Chris Poole (CYWHS Medical Officer) to the preparation of this topic.

**Any products referred to in our health topics are usually well-known brands readily available in Australia. The brand names are given as examples only, and do not necessarily represent the best products, nor the full range of effective products on the market.

The information on this site should not be used as an alternative to professional care. If you have a particular problem, see a doctor, or ring the Parent Helpline on 1300 364 100 (local call cost from anywhere in South Australia).

This topic may use 'he' and 'she' in turn - please change to suit your
child's sex.