Packing List
(scroll down for "questions to ask your child's caregivers")
Infants and young toddlers (birth to about 18 months)
Bring sample/travel sizes if possible
diapers and diaper rash cream
Aquaphor, Cetaphil or Hydrocortisone (eczema is very common)
lots of baby wipes (best to get the unscented ones that are also alcohol free)
bottles (about 3) and pacifers
nipples (two or three kind - crosscut and regular)
thermos (You can store your boiled, warm water for the day to be mixed with the formula. Some babies won't drink it cool. Even young toddlers may want a bottle.)
baby formula -powdered is lighter and can be mixed on the spot. You may want to bring two different kind in case the baby doesn't like one.
deposible bibs (ex. Pampers Bibsters)
5 to 6 outfits, hat, jacket,shoes, socks (Russians expect you to bundle your child.)
a few jars of baby food for older infants and toddlers (you can buy more in Russia if needed)
baby spoons or plastic deposible spoons
small toys and rattles
toddler snacks
antibacterial soap for washing bottles and whatever else
Infant/toddler medications - ex. Motrin, Tylenol, child suppositories, decongestant, cough medicine, etc. (Ask a friend with a baby or consult your doctor)
oral re-hydration fluid - powder form (ex. Pedialyte)
baby soap and shampoo
large, sturdy organized diaper bag (You will be living out of it for days!)
umbrella stroller
infant/toddler carrier/backpack
For an older toddler or child:
small toys (Don't give them to your child all at once. You'll need them on the flight!)
snacks and juice
spill-proof juice cup
4 to 5 outfits
weather gear
pull-ups or diapers (even if they say that the toddler is potty trained)
medications (see above)
blanket
baby shampoo and soap
a small backpack for them to keep their belongings in (4 and older)
small tape player with headphones (for the flight) or DVD player for older children (We have several Russian DVD's in the LEEAF library, available to LEEAF members for check out.)
For you:
a few bottles of water (you'll need lots of it, but can buy it there)
a few snacks/ instant foods just in case you don't have time to stop and eat (this is common)
artificial sweetner, coffee bags (like tea bags but coffee. Folgers makes one. You will be able to get hot, boiled water. Russians tend to drink lots of tea)
personal items
a few mix and match clothing (wear them a few times)
one nicer outfit for court
winter - coats, boots, thick socks (Talk to someone who lives in Northern U.S. Eastern Europe winters are brutal!)
comfortable shoes and shoes for court
Backpack (for keeping important items with you at all time)
small umbrella
gifts for orphanage and workers (ask your agency for details)
copy of your dossier, passport, and visa
money holders, passport holders, etc. Check out the travel gear at a local store (It may best best to buy some that are not considered common places to store money such as around your neck or the typical waist belts. They sell some that you can attach to your leg, under your boot or sock.)
small calculator for converting you U.S. dollars to rubles
head scarves if you plan to visit the beautiful churches
notebook or travel journal and pen
calling card and exact instructions on how to use it (You might be able to buy one there.)
phone numbers for your agency, doctor, family, etc.
pictures and postcards to share with those you will meet. Russians love this!
converter - Read the instructions carefully! (for hairdryer, curling iron, etc)
(To get more indepth details on how to use your converter w/ applicances, go to
small travel pillow
flat, top sheet (none of the Russian hotels I have been in have top, flat sheets. Instead, you will have a duvet cover, which you can put the comforter inside)
wash clothes (some hotels will not provide)
roll of nylon tape (to repair suitcases or for a variety of other uses)
book/ magazine, cards, etc
camera, lots of film or an extra memory card for digital, video camera, extra camera batteries
ziploc bags (many uses)
small packets of tissues
lots of little bottles of hand sanitizer
shout wipes (in case of spills)
medications
bandages
sleeping aids, ear plugs (if you have a difficult sleeping in new places or on the plane)
broad spectrum antibiotic
mouth wash (you can't use the water to rinse your mouth)
travel alarm clock
small flash light for your purse
razors
new currency (Ask your agency about this. It is very important that you bring bills without any markings or tears, ones that are crisp and new. They sometimes inspect them with a light and magnifying glass!)
credit cards with your pin number because there may be an ATM machine. They usually only take Master Card and Visa, not American Express (just in case you need it)
bubble wrap if you plan to purchase breakable items and tape
Other Tips:
Sometimes your appliances will not work at all even with the converter. Be careful and read the directions in detail. It can be tricky! Lots of people have blown up their hair dryers. For more information regarding voltage in Russia and using converters, see LEEAF's Travel Check out page.
Keep prescriptions in their original bottles.
Call your airline and request the bulk head seat and the bassinet for babies and young toddlers. It is best to get a seat for your baby or toddler. It is a LONG flight and you will need the room. If you can't get the bassinet, you can lay your baby across a seat on a pillow to sleep.
Keep important papers with you at all times
Keep some medications in your carry-on. You or your child may get sick on the flight.
Keep an extra outfit for yourself and your child in your carry-on bag. Your child may get sick on you.
Try to buy things that are disposible, such as face wipes that already have the facial cleanser in them, razors, small shampoos. Your bags will be lighter on the way home after you have used up everything.
It is extremely important not to overpack. The cars are much smaller than the ones in the U.S. and you may have to pay for overweight luggage. We suggest you do not bring more than two large suitcases (on-wheels if possible) and your carry-ons. If you are bringing donations for the orphanage, bring an old suitcases that you can leave there. If you plan to purchase lots of gifts, pack an extra duffel bag and some bubble wrap. You can get free carts at the Moscow airport to use to carry your luggage to the car.
Expect exhaustion to set in around the time of your flight home. Try and line up some help for those first days home. Jet lag hits some people very hard (some have had great success with a natural medication called "No-Jet Lag" sold at www.megallans.com). You will need some help!
Make sure and exchange addresses and e-mail addresses with everyone. Chances are, you will make life-long friends along the way!
Gifts and Donations for the Orphanage
If you decide to bring the following games as gifts to the children in the orphanage or the following over-the-counter medications, LEEAF has the translations. They can be mailed to you upon request, karenbordelon@hotmail.com:
Candy Land
Chutes and Ladders
Kerpluck (ages 5 and up)
Memory Game
Children's Chewable Ibuprofen (Motrin or store brand)
Children's Chewable Acetaminophen (Tylenol or store brand)
Questions to Ask Your Child's Caregivers
Most families I have spoken with are given the opportunity to meet with the orphanage director or staff to ask specific questions. This is usually a one time opportunity and you may not know the exact time or day you will be given this opportunity, so bring your list of questions to every orphanage visit. Consider the advice of other adoptive parents and ASK EVERYTHING YOU CAN. Many regret not asking more questions. There is no guarantee that you will get the answers you want (or that the answers will be accurate), but you won't know if you don't ask. If you feel uncomfortable about asking questions, talk to your agency before leaving and they can advise you. Also, you can ask your coordinator for advice when you get to Russia. After your arrival home, it may be impossible to get answers from your agency (some of us have tried). Any little bit of information you can give to your child later in life will be cherished. Also, if you are having issues after arrival home, you may be able to better understand the issues by looking at the answers you received while at the orphanage. Also, this information can be given to your child's doctor or early intervention therapists (if therapy such as OT, PT or speech is needed)
1. List of foods liked and disliked?
2. When do the children eat and how much?
3. What time does she go to bed and wake up? Naps?
4. How often are they bathed? How often are their teeth brushed? Describe how they are bathed.
5. What is her personality like? Does she like being around other children?
6. Does she have any fears, problems, or things you are concerned about? How is she comforted when she is sick or scared?
7. How does she act when she is feeling ill, scared?
8. Why is she in an orphanage?
9. Do you know about any of her family members? I would like to know everything you can tell me about her family. (Make a list of questions you would like to ask about the birth family. Your child will be very interested in his/her birth family someday). What was their profession?
10. Do you know any physical or personality characteristics of her birth family?
11. Any health concerns or illness. How does she compare to the children her age?
12. Does she learn quickly?
13. Do you know if the birth mother received any prenatal care? Did she drink, smoke, or abuse drugs while pregnant?
For Toddlers and Older Children:
1. When did she start walking?
2. How is her speech compared to others her age? Do you feel she has a speech delay?
3. Describe, in detail, the child's temperment and personality? Give specific examples.
4. How well does she learn? Does she know her colors, numbers, etc.?
5. When was she potty trained and how?
6. Was she in the orphanage from birth? If so, why wasn't she adopted at a younger age? If not, under what circumstances was she brought to this orphanage?
7. What are the names of her best friends? Descibe their relationship.
8. What are her favorite activities?
9. Does she have a special talent?
10. Who chose her name and why was her name choosen?
11. Are there any belongings we can keep for her?
12. What toys, games, or songs does she like?
13. Was there a letter or memento left with her?
14. What is her story?
15. Is there any information about her family or family medical history?
16. What does she like to eat, drink?
17. How do you calm her when she is upset, angry?
18. Where and how did she sleep?
