SCRASS

We will be in Ireland (Dublin first) in September. I have very little experience in Europe and NO experience traveling abroad with a baby. I will have a 15 month old who is still in diapers. Where do I go in Dublin to get baby necessities? Do grocery stores carry diapers?? OR is there a great baby store in Dublin I should scout out first thing for diapers and toddler friendly snacks?

stfc

http://www.dublinks.com/index.cfm/lo...D001F5B929.htm

http://www.dublinks.com/index.cfm/lo...564DCCA4A7.htm

Sweetheart, women in Europe have babies too, and they are just like American babies. I've never had a baby, but there's a very good reason for that. My wife did, though. Two. However did we cope? I would concern yourself more with the flight over here and having adequate supplies until you arrive.

SiobhanP

Ah...ok same as in U.S grocery stores are Dunnes, Tesco, Supervalue, Superquinn and a few I am forgetting. Boots is a drugstore (Chemist) that has all baby needs as well. There is no "baby store" that I am aware of in Dublin other than mothercare etc as we don't have a large enough population for this demand. People buy their snacks in supermarket and shops here. The same brands are here as in the U.S...thats Globalisation for you.

zeppole

Boy, what an incredibly condescending tone from stfc for a perfectly reasonable question. I have to admit that most people coming to the usual tourist hotel areas of NYC would be stumped at first as to where to get diapers, or what to do with the dirty ones.

bettyloo

My daughter's first trip overseas was to Ireland at 15 months. It was a perfect choice to get our feet wet travelling with a child. We had no trouble finding supplies diapers, etc. in Dublin or anywhere else in the country for that matter. The people were so friendly we found restaurants in particular very willing to accomodate her tastes. It was a truely great trip because of this. When we arrived her stroller didn't make it and the hotel directed us to a shop where we could buy another (in Dublin) and as I recall the store carried all sorts of baby supplies (sorry I don't remeber the name). You'll have no problems finding supplies or kind, helpful people there.

W9London

You can find the same brands--Pampers and Huggies. I think the sizes/numbers are generally the same. There are regular ones as well as pull-ups. Boots also carry their private brands.

Most important of all, diapers are called NAPPIES. As in nappy cream, nappy sacs etc etc...

Toddler friendly snacks--you can find the usual cheerios and rice cakes at supermarkets.

I still recommend you carry extra nappies for the flight and chage of clothing in case of flight delay/misplaced luggage etc.

stfc

Apologies if I seemed condescending but some things I see on this board surprise me greatly, one of it's fascinations I think. I am still trying to get over the OP who was wondering whether to use 'cash or euros' in Italy, and later in that thread somebody asked what came out of Italian ATMs.

bettyloo makes the point more graciously than me. There will be no problems. Enjoy Ireland.

LarryJ

This is really not at all a silly question. Where to buy certain things differs from country to country. For example: if an American needed aspirin in France he or she would probably go to a super market or general merchandise store such as Monoprix etc (a la Wal-Mart) but you would find that you can only buy aspirin at a pharmacie. If you wanted to buy some cap type erasers to put on a pencil in France you can forget it; they don't exist. French friends of mine thought that pencil cap erasers were fantastic when I brought some from the USA as they had not seen them before.

Larry J

zeppole

No problem, stfc. But I was serious about some of the tourist areas of New York, like Times Square or Rockefeller Center, where many non-Americans book a hotel when they visit the city. I worked in that area for decades, and especially around Rockefeller center, I'd really have to think hard to tell somebody where to buy a diaper. In recent years, giant pharmacies have sprouted up everywhere in Manhattan -- but some Europeans aren't used to finding diapers in a pharmacy.

In Italy, where I live, it's become a joke for my husband and me to guess where we'll find some item we need. If you see lamps in the window, don't assume they also sell the light bulbs to go in them. I once got caught in the rain without an umbrella, but spotted a whole box of them inside the doorway in the store. When I asked for a portable one, instead of the golf-course size, I was told to walk across the street. She didn't sell that kind of umbrella.

mabern2

Hi SCRASS.
You are feeling the same as I did when we went to London last year with our 10 month old.

We had issues as his formula brand was not sold there so we had to bring enough for 2 weeks, what fun!!

Everything else worked out, everything you need is readily available as mentioned. You will find it in little neighborhood stores and in the larger ones (i.e. BOOTS). It was fun looking for things actually.

I suggest to bring enough items to get you through the trip and into the first day or two. That way you are set. Also as mention diapers are called "nappies". I went into one of the neighborhood stores asking for diapers and was led to women's femanine napkins. I quickly realized my error and correctly asked for nappies. The clerk and I had a little laugh!!

Kudos for traveling with the baby and good luck!!

dexters

Hi there-

You've already gotten some great advise on this topic, so I'll just add a few things. As an American living in London with my 2 young kids, 3 & a 10 month old (moved here when he was 2 mos), most things are the same, but some things are different.

Just an FYI, the Cheerios sold here are all sweetened, unlike the Yellow Box ones sold in the US.
The diaper sizes of the same brands are slightly different (my son wears a 2 in US pampers, but a 3 in UK pampers..there will be weights listed on the pkg to help you).

Baby food is plentiful and good here, although with a 15 month old I imagine you'll be feeding him/her mostly table food anyway.

Tesco, Boots & Sainsbury should be able to accomodate most of your needs. Boots even just started selling the disposable bibs, which are a Godsend for traveling with tots! Independent Chemists, which are little drug stores, also have a great & deeper selection of snacks, diaper creams, etc.

Also, bring your own Baby Tylenol or Motrin. They don't sell the same brands here, and although the Paracetmol & Calpol is essentially the same, I imagine you'll be more comfortable with the ones you are used to.

Alec

I once remember driving around desperately in Dublin (near Croke Park) trying to find a pack of nappies (diapers) big enough for a 2-year old toddler. We could only find baby sizes in small grocery stores, until we found it in a Tesco (supermarket chain) on a main road. It didn't help as it was a day of the Gaelic Football semi-final and roads were choked with traffic!
I suggest you stock up on essentials when you see a large store or supermarket. This goes not just for Dublin or Ireland, but in Europe generally. At least you won't be wasting your valuable vacation time shopping for essentials, or tracking down a store on a Sunday.

mahlquist

And if you need Q-Tips, ask for "cotton buds". On our first trip to Ireland, many years ago, we had itchy ears for days before someone finally understood what we meant by 'Q-tips'

SCRASS

Thank you all. I know my question might seem ridiculous but as stated in above posts...things are different in each country and the last time I was in the UK, I was not looking for baby supplies and I seem to remember more corner markets (small and specialized) in cities than large grocery stores that would have everything. I am hoping I don't find a giant Babies R Us in the middle of Dublin...not the culture I am hoping to see! Thanks for the tip on the diaper size changes...I will go off of baby weight when I need to purchase.