a. clark

My husband and I are considering our first trip to Asia - will go to Hong Kong and Shanghai? Is it wise to bring our baby or wait till later?

Peter N-H

I suppose the advice on this will vary greatly depending on exactly how old the baby is, whether it is being breast or bottle-fed, is on solids, etc. etc.<BR><BR>Obviously there are Westerners living in China who have given birth there and who are bringing up children of all ages. While they experience of having a home base there is not quite the same as travelling, of course these people do travel from time to time.<BR><BR>So you might direct a more detailed question to the following mailing list. I only know of it--I haven't joined it, but it was described on a Web site as follows:<BR><BR>'This list is for families with children who are visiting China to live and work or who are interested in doing so. All kid related issues of culture, language, daily life, education, etc. are welcomed and encouraged. This is a new list started by expatriate English teachers who are enjoying the China adventure with their children.<BR><BR>* About 1 - 5 posts a day<BR>* Unmoderated<BR><BR>To subscribe, send a blank email to: [email protected] <BR>To unsubscribe, send a blank email to: [email protected]<BR>To contact the list owner, email to: [email protected] '<BR><BR>You could always begin by emailing the list owner to ask whether your question would be appropriate, but my guess is that residents would be happy to give advice, as long as your question is specific.<BR><BR>At any age, Hong Kong will be a lot easier than Shanghai.<BR><BR>Hope that helps.<BR><BR>Peter N-H<BR>http://members.axion.net/~pnh/China.html

Josh98

At the risk of stepping on territory already well covered by the ever-ready Peter, may we simply say that you might consider the following: outside the largest cities and supermarkets, there are few baby products available: baby food (non-existant), diapers (hard to find and expensive), Johnson's baby products (actually easy to find), pedi medicines (hard to find without Chinese), pediatricians (available at any large hospital in any city or town). If you stay in HK or Shanghai, shouldn't be a problem.

a. clark

Thank you both for your kind reply and for the useful information.<BR><BR>Are either places appropriate for pushing a stroller down streets and in antique shopping areas? Is it just too crowded for that kind of thing? Are the more up scale restaurants tolerant of little ones? etc. What is the attitude toward children in public places?<BR><BR>Thank you!!

lcuy

What age is your baby? Travelling with a non-mobile, breast fed child is simple. Use a backback or chest carrier instead of the stroller and you'll have an easy time. <BR>It is a bit harder if you have a child who wants to toddle or crawl. If special food and clean water are involved it gets a little harder. Both Hong Kong and Shanghai are big modern cities so if you'll only be in the city you shouldn't have any more problems than you would in, say, LA or NY.