Moving to Shanghai-lots of ?'s

Hi- We are moving to Shanghai w/ our 2 yr old and 6 month old. I have a lot of questions:

1) Should I bring my own formula for infant?

2) Where do I find H2O for the baby formula?

3) Baby food- is it safe or should I bring my own?

4) Healthcare- are vaccinations up to US standards? Your input on best pediatricians?

5) Cow's milk- easy to get? and safe to drink?

Some of these might be dumb but I have never been to Asia and I have no idea what to expect!

Any advice/input will help.

thanks!

Tonya

Tonya,

1. Should be readily available, send your brand and I will look in the aisle next time at Lotus Supermarket which has a whole aisle dedicated to babies.

2. Bottles water readily available, most complexes deliver 5 gallon containers to your door, have landlord include dispenser in rent if not in your unit already.

3. Lots of US brand baby food here, have seen at Pines Markets and City Shops (Expat Grocery Stores, don't frequent that aisle at Lotus but send that too and i'll check.

4. See your ped. and make sure kids are upto date on US standards/school admissions before you leave. We added a chicken pox boaster and the Hep A&B for the entire family. That is an 8 month series of 3 shots so start there, finish here. We have been very satisified with the peds through Worldlink and they take most insurance.

5. My kids have no problem with milk for drinking and cereal, "Bright" is our prefered brand.


Recommend you pick up "Living Abroad in China" by moon publishers. Got mine at barnes and noble before arriving I beleive. Stock up on OTC meds and pedialite! Not easy to find that stuff her.

Ken

Hi, everything Ken says is about right - the big cities in China have most things that you might want - albeit maybe a different brand to what you're used to back home. Most important thing is to birng plenty of medicines - kids cough/cold medicine can't be bought over the counter, you need to always see a doctor.

i had these same concerns when i moved to china with my at the time 1 and 2 year old. they are now almost 4 and almost 3 yrs old. Ok first off cows milk is fine. Formula can be tricky try to buy it from Lotus or Carrefour as those stores are safe. You can get water from a water vendor usually the large jug things that get delivered to your house. Baby food is easily found at Lotus or carrefour too. Depending on which hospital you go to depends on the healthcare. I found english doctors for my kids vacinations. The first 3 months after you move here will be hectic and finding everything you need will take at least a week to a month. Bring plenty of medications as well like spicegal said.



I was given a book by a friend who lived in Shanghai with her son. The books name is Shanghai for Kids. It helped me alot. You can buy it at almost any english book store in Shanghai.



If you need any help let me know i will try my best to get the info for you. Just know that there are tons of expats here in Shanghai:)




Shantell