Moving to HK with infant....advice?
- Thread starter ozmaofoz
- Start date
I just moved back to HK with my 8 month old. I would suggest buying some over the counter children's medicine - baby tylenol, pediacare etc... can't seem to find them in HK. Also, I would bring some extra cans of formula to make sure your baby have some familiar milk to tie over transition to local formula. We also used Evian for my baby's formula 2 weeks before and after the move, to make sure she gradually transitions to local water... Unless you have a very compact and lightweight stroller, probably better to buy one in HK that fits the local environment. The two strollers we brought here proved to be too bulky for HK streets and lifts...
Remember to ask for a bulk head seat and a bassinet when you fly... the hanging bassinet is much better than the one used on the floor... the latter is too small and won't stand up properly for the baby to sleep... acutally my baby ended up sleeping on the floor on a blanket for 6 hours during the flight... Also, start adapting the baby to the time difference before you leave - that will make it easier for you and him/her.
It will be fun for both of you to travel... Hong Kong is a nice place... Enjoy the move and hope this helps a little bit.
Remember to ask for a bulk head seat and a bassinet when you fly... the hanging bassinet is much better than the one used on the floor... the latter is too small and won't stand up properly for the baby to sleep... acutally my baby ended up sleeping on the floor on a blanket for 6 hours during the flight... Also, start adapting the baby to the time difference before you leave - that will make it easier for you and him/her.
It will be fun for both of you to travel... Hong Kong is a nice place... Enjoy the move and hope this helps a little bit.
OTC kids drugs
in HK, what is called "tylenol" in the US is called "paracetemol" here. You can buy it at most dispensaries and Watsons etc.
If you're using formula, try to search the cans of formula (usually sold as a powder here) by maker. So, if you used to a Mead Johnson brand where you come from, go for it here.
No need to use bottled water for the baby if you boil it. Problem isn't the ater itself as much as the pipes in some older buildings.
If you use fresh milk, be prepared for price shock
A baby carrier is very useful.
in HK, what is called "tylenol" in the US is called "paracetemol" here. You can buy it at most dispensaries and Watsons etc.
If you're using formula, try to search the cans of formula (usually sold as a powder here) by maker. So, if you used to a Mead Johnson brand where you come from, go for it here.
No need to use bottled water for the baby if you boil it. Problem isn't the ater itself as much as the pipes in some older buildings.
If you use fresh milk, be prepared for price shock
A baby carrier is very useful.
Thank you for the suggestions and advice!
I'm breastfeeding, and baby will be a year old at that point so I'm not terribly worried about formula. He does have a pretty severe cow's milk protein and soy protein allergy (found out when I was supplementing him with formula the first few months). This might seem like a super strange question, but....is there any possibility of fresh goat's milk in HK?
Do I need to bring a car seat? We will not have a car in HK, but it might be a nice thing to have on the plane - he passes out in that seat, it's so comfy. The thought of lugging it through an airport isn't very appealing, though.
These are all the various baby-carrying devices I have -
Sturdy Backpack
http://www.babygenie.com/product_details.asp?pid=917
Soft Sidepack (like a baby Bjorn but for older babies & toddlers)
http://www.mamamoon.com/hiphasobaca.html
Lightweight Stroller (still bigger than an umbrella stroller)
http://www.dealtime.com/xPC-Graco_CitiLite_Urban_Chic_647437
Should I bring all three? Should I try and ship anything before I come, or would that be a waste?
I thought lugging all the baby junk around in this city was a pain, but I am absolutely confused at what to do about baby junk and traveling halfway around the world. I don't want to bring anything and then figure out that I really didn't need to. At the same time, I've spent wayyyyyy too much time figuring out the exact baby junk that is perfect for us and I'm a little too invested in the stuff. Yes, it's a stupid dilemma. I agree!
I still don't know what part of HK we'll have an apartment in. I only know that it's got one regular bedroom and a second smaller one. I assume that it will be quite small.
I've also got some helper questions. If this has been discussed in a recent thread, then please forgive me. Would a full-time helper (40 hours/week) have to be live-in? What is the general pay? I've never dealt with the issue of servants ever, and I could use some guidance there.
Again, your help is much appreciated!
I'm breastfeeding, and baby will be a year old at that point so I'm not terribly worried about formula. He does have a pretty severe cow's milk protein and soy protein allergy (found out when I was supplementing him with formula the first few months). This might seem like a super strange question, but....is there any possibility of fresh goat's milk in HK?
Do I need to bring a car seat? We will not have a car in HK, but it might be a nice thing to have on the plane - he passes out in that seat, it's so comfy. The thought of lugging it through an airport isn't very appealing, though.
These are all the various baby-carrying devices I have -
Sturdy Backpack
http://www.babygenie.com/product_details.asp?pid=917
Soft Sidepack (like a baby Bjorn but for older babies & toddlers)
http://www.mamamoon.com/hiphasobaca.html
Lightweight Stroller (still bigger than an umbrella stroller)
http://www.dealtime.com/xPC-Graco_CitiLite_Urban_Chic_647437
Should I bring all three? Should I try and ship anything before I come, or would that be a waste?
I thought lugging all the baby junk around in this city was a pain, but I am absolutely confused at what to do about baby junk and traveling halfway around the world. I don't want to bring anything and then figure out that I really didn't need to. At the same time, I've spent wayyyyyy too much time figuring out the exact baby junk that is perfect for us and I'm a little too invested in the stuff. Yes, it's a stupid dilemma. I agree!
I still don't know what part of HK we'll have an apartment in. I only know that it's got one regular bedroom and a second smaller one. I assume that it will be quite small.
I've also got some helper questions. If this has been discussed in a recent thread, then please forgive me. Would a full-time helper (40 hours/week) have to be live-in? What is the general pay? I've never dealt with the issue of servants ever, and I could use some guidance there.
Again, your help is much appreciated!
rani
Administrator
Hi Ozmaofoz
I haven't seen fresh goat's milk in HK. Sorry.
There is a large 2nd hand market for baby stuff here, so don't worry if you bring something and don't end up using it. I'm sure u'll find a loving home for it.
Regarding the carrying devices. If you don't plan on getting a car then I would skip the carseat. If its not part of a travel system they can get virtually impossible to carry.
The Lightweight Stroller and the Sidepack are ideal for HK. If you enjoy hiking then I guess you would need the Backpack too.
Also an American cot may not fit in HK's smallish rooms.
Will send you some links on helpers shortly.
Rani
I haven't seen fresh goat's milk in HK. Sorry.
There is a large 2nd hand market for baby stuff here, so don't worry if you bring something and don't end up using it. I'm sure u'll find a loving home for it.
Regarding the carrying devices. If you don't plan on getting a car then I would skip the carseat. If its not part of a travel system they can get virtually impossible to carry.
The Lightweight Stroller and the Sidepack are ideal for HK. If you enjoy hiking then I guess you would need the Backpack too.
Also an American cot may not fit in HK's smallish rooms.
Will send you some links on helpers shortly.
Rani
Ibuprofen
Ozmaofoz,
Ibuprofen is available by prescription only in HK and I've never seen it prescribed for kids. The usual thing given to kids is paracetemol suspension. So, if you are really devoted to this baby motrin stuff, bring some along with you. If you use ibuprofen yourself, you might want to bring a jar.
That said, I have bought it w/out a 'scrip at some dispensaries (I sometimes suffer from repetetive strain injury).
Teething gel is available in the major chain drugstores and in smaller dispensaries.
The standard vaccination schedule in HK is listed here.
http://www.info.gov.hk/dh/publicat/web/immuni_e.htm
They are free at all the Maternal Child Health Centres.
http://www.info.gov.hk/dh/telephon/mchc_e.htm
BCG is not a standard one in the USA, but the incidence of TB is still quite high in HK.
Be aware that the most common "soy milk" drink, "Vitasoy" here has cow milk solids in it.
Depending on where you end up living, most of your travel could be on MTR (subway), or double-decker bus, or minibus, or taxi. I never used a car seat w/ my kids except when we were in our own car.
Helpers usually live-in and work 6 days a week.
Good luck in your move.
Ozmaofoz,
Ibuprofen is available by prescription only in HK and I've never seen it prescribed for kids. The usual thing given to kids is paracetemol suspension. So, if you are really devoted to this baby motrin stuff, bring some along with you. If you use ibuprofen yourself, you might want to bring a jar.
That said, I have bought it w/out a 'scrip at some dispensaries (I sometimes suffer from repetetive strain injury).
Teething gel is available in the major chain drugstores and in smaller dispensaries.
The standard vaccination schedule in HK is listed here.
http://www.info.gov.hk/dh/publicat/web/immuni_e.htm
They are free at all the Maternal Child Health Centres.
http://www.info.gov.hk/dh/telephon/mchc_e.htm
BCG is not a standard one in the USA, but the incidence of TB is still quite high in HK.
Be aware that the most common "soy milk" drink, "Vitasoy" here has cow milk solids in it.
Depending on where you end up living, most of your travel could be on MTR (subway), or double-decker bus, or minibus, or taxi. I never used a car seat w/ my kids except when we were in our own car.
Helpers usually live-in and work 6 days a week.
Good luck in your move.
armstroe
Registered User
We moved to HK 6 yrs ago when my daughter was 6 months old - here's what I brought from Oz that were a complete waste...
@ Emmalunga pram - what was I thinking????? We were first living in midlevels and the pram took up the whole footpath. Plus there are stairs everywhere. I ended up buying a "combi" brand pram here (Japanese make). It's lightweight, folds up to carry over the shoulder and is easy to open and close with one hand. I used this until my daughter was at least 2.5yrs. I'm now using the same one 6 years later with my new baby
Problem with prams bought locally is that they have lower handles. I'm 5' 11, so it's a bit of a pain pushing something quite low, but the convenience factor makes up for it
@ One of those baby backpacks - honestly, kids just get too heavy to carry this way
@ travel cot - I should have put her cot on the plane with us instead of getting her cot shipped. It was 6 weeks of hell when we first got here because she was in unfamiliar bedding, and she loathed the travel cot even though I introduced it to her in Oz
You are lucky you are coming up now instead of 6 years ago, so much is available here that you won't need to bring up heaps of things. Plus the prices are more reasonable then they used to be. However if your baby is walking before you get up here, get his shoes before you move. They are so expensive here.
My elder daughter has never been good with cow's milk but I've always been able to use the Vitasoy here - you can get the same one they export to Australia.
Check out what medical insurance your partner's work is offering. There are some great doctors here, and I've actually found they have more time for you then any I saw in Sydney
@ Emmalunga pram - what was I thinking????? We were first living in midlevels and the pram took up the whole footpath. Plus there are stairs everywhere. I ended up buying a "combi" brand pram here (Japanese make). It's lightweight, folds up to carry over the shoulder and is easy to open and close with one hand. I used this until my daughter was at least 2.5yrs. I'm now using the same one 6 years later with my new baby
Problem with prams bought locally is that they have lower handles. I'm 5' 11, so it's a bit of a pain pushing something quite low, but the convenience factor makes up for it
@ One of those baby backpacks - honestly, kids just get too heavy to carry this way
@ travel cot - I should have put her cot on the plane with us instead of getting her cot shipped. It was 6 weeks of hell when we first got here because she was in unfamiliar bedding, and she loathed the travel cot even though I introduced it to her in Oz
You are lucky you are coming up now instead of 6 years ago, so much is available here that you won't need to bring up heaps of things. Plus the prices are more reasonable then they used to be. However if your baby is walking before you get up here, get his shoes before you move. They are so expensive here.
My elder daughter has never been good with cow's milk but I've always been able to use the Vitasoy here - you can get the same one they export to Australia.
Check out what medical insurance your partner's work is offering. There are some great doctors here, and I've actually found they have more time for you then any I saw in Sydney
I came to HK when I was pregnant and I had almost everything I needed shipped here from home.
At the time I wasd grateful, just because it eliminated the need to spend each weekend shopping. If I had to do it over again, I would bring the bare essentials:
baby carrier
small toiletry/bath kit to get you through the first few weeks
emergency medicine and first aid kit
Blankies and washcloths
Almost everything can be bought here, and just in the last year I have seen so much improvement with the range of products available (thanks, in part, to "Bumps to Babes"). But I find some things soooo expensive here (like receiving blankets or good quality baby bedding). The one thing that I still get from home are Mylicon drops for gas. They are amazing and work instantly to calm a colicky baby.
At the time I wasd grateful, just because it eliminated the need to spend each weekend shopping. If I had to do it over again, I would bring the bare essentials:
baby carrier
small toiletry/bath kit to get you through the first few weeks
emergency medicine and first aid kit
Blankies and washcloths
Almost everything can be bought here, and just in the last year I have seen so much improvement with the range of products available (thanks, in part, to "Bumps to Babes"). But I find some things soooo expensive here (like receiving blankets or good quality baby bedding). The one thing that I still get from home are Mylicon drops for gas. They are amazing and work instantly to calm a colicky baby.
Fantastic! Thanks so much for all the advice and help!
I will not be bringing the stroller. Just the hip hammock (which is just super handy) and the backpack. I'm sure I'll regret the backpack - I have images of baby and I hiking all around the trails in the mountains but truthfully we'll probably just spend our days hiding from the heat in the apartment. By the time we get to hiking, he'll be big enough to do his own hiking! Second thought - scratch the backpack.
Thank you so much for the lead on goat's milk. My son won't take formula (predigested or soy based ones). That was a big question mark for me.
I'm all stocked up on Baby Ibuprofen and Baby Symethicone. We're also starting him on the TB vaccine this next go round, and vaccinating with an Asian formula version flu shot. Thanks for all your handy advice. You ladies are saving me a lot of worry.
I will be in Kowloon. What the heck does that mean? Anyone else in Kowloon?
As for helpers , I found this very confusing (from an agency website)
Is it Legal to hire a part-time maid?
No. Although it is common practice to hire a part-time Helper, in fact this is illegal and can result in criminal conviction for both the Employer and Helper .
What does this mean? Our apartment is small and not big enough for a live-in. I was hoping to just have someone come in twice a week to watch the baby and do the "deep cleaning". Is such a thing just totally not possible? I'm confused (big surprise!).
Thank you again. I will be in HK a month sooner than I thought, and all your advice is saving me a lot of worry and aggravation.
I will not be bringing the stroller. Just the hip hammock (which is just super handy) and the backpack. I'm sure I'll regret the backpack - I have images of baby and I hiking all around the trails in the mountains but truthfully we'll probably just spend our days hiding from the heat in the apartment. By the time we get to hiking, he'll be big enough to do his own hiking! Second thought - scratch the backpack.
Thank you so much for the lead on goat's milk. My son won't take formula (predigested or soy based ones). That was a big question mark for me.
I'm all stocked up on Baby Ibuprofen and Baby Symethicone. We're also starting him on the TB vaccine this next go round, and vaccinating with an Asian formula version flu shot. Thanks for all your handy advice. You ladies are saving me a lot of worry.
I will be in Kowloon. What the heck does that mean? Anyone else in Kowloon?
As for helpers , I found this very confusing (from an agency website)
Is it Legal to hire a part-time maid?
No. Although it is common practice to hire a part-time Helper, in fact this is illegal and can result in criminal conviction for both the Employer and Helper .
What does this mean? Our apartment is small and not big enough for a live-in. I was hoping to just have someone come in twice a week to watch the baby and do the "deep cleaning". Is such a thing just totally not possible? I'm confused (big surprise!).
Thank you again. I will be in HK a month sooner than I thought, and all your advice is saving me a lot of worry and aggravation.
It is illegal to hire part time maid only if it is a foreign domestic helper. Hong Kong has a large contingent of foreign domestic helpers, mainly from the Philippines, Indonesia or Thailand. They are on specific visas tied to particular employers. Therefore, hiring them part time is illegal. Many people do that though....
However, you can hire local part time maids - that is not a problem. The Hong Kong government has trained a lot of part time domestic helpers recently, but they are more expensive then the foreign ones... that is why so many people are "illegally" hiring foreign part time maid.
Kowloon - I am living in Kowloon - Tsim Sha Tsui. Hong Kong is made up of one big island (the Hong Kong Island), the Kowloon Peninsula and numerous small outlying islands. You will be closer to the everyday Hong Kong people if you live in Kowloon (pardon me you all Hong Kong Islanders). There are more expats on the HK Island.
However, you can hire local part time maids - that is not a problem. The Hong Kong government has trained a lot of part time domestic helpers recently, but they are more expensive then the foreign ones... that is why so many people are "illegally" hiring foreign part time maid.
Kowloon - I am living in Kowloon - Tsim Sha Tsui. Hong Kong is made up of one big island (the Hong Kong Island), the Kowloon Peninsula and numerous small outlying islands. You will be closer to the everyday Hong Kong people if you live in Kowloon (pardon me you all Hong Kong Islanders). There are more expats on the HK Island.
Alright! Baby and I have our passports and our tickets. We'll be traveling from the States in mid Feb.
I really appreciate all the suggestions and resources. Once I get to HK, I'll be looking up the YMCA playgroups and will join the HK La Leche League.
We will not have a live-in because our apartment is already serviced by maids twice a week, and after living with my in-laws for a year I am really looking forward to some serious privacy with my husband *wink*. We only have one child and would like to save the money that a helper would cost, at least the first year. I wouldn't mind a mother's day out for the baby a couple days a week!
I really appreciate all the suggestions and resources. Once I get to HK, I'll be looking up the YMCA playgroups and will join the HK La Leche League.
We will not have a live-in because our apartment is already serviced by maids twice a week, and after living with my in-laws for a year I am really looking forward to some serious privacy with my husband *wink*. We only have one child and would like to save the money that a helper would cost, at least the first year. I wouldn't mind a mother's day out for the baby a couple days a week!
best friend
New member
we moved here when baby was 7 months old, and what we didn't know (and never thought of asking) was that the voltage is different. Monitor, electric breast pump, etc. were scrapped.
Are you going to stay on the Kowloon side? IF so, perhaps we could link up after you settle down. We live in TsimShaTsui on the Kowloon side. I have a daughter of 10 months who needs some friends! We have lived in Texas (Dallas) for over 10 years before we moved here. Have a good flight over.
lavanda_fairy
Registered User
I just want to say have a nice flight and hope you and your little one enjoy live in HK.