Generic tips for moving overseas (temporarily) with baby

[3questionmarks]

DH just accepted a 4-5 month posting in Canada (I'll start another thread for Canada specifics)

What are your top tips for such a move from UK with 4 month old DD?

What worked for you?
What did you wish you'd done differently?

Do feel free to direct me to other useful threads.

[moondog]

I moved to very isolated part of Eastern Turkey when ds was 3 mths and dd was 3.

Didn't realy do anything in particular tbh.
Babies are very adaptable.

[LIZS]

Take favourite familiar medicines like Calpol, basic kit for baby to tied you over and remember they have babies over there too so you don't need to import the whole caboodle. Find a local friend (maybe via DH's work colleagues) to take you to the baby friendly places and groups and off you go !

[cameroonmama]

Since I presume you are not taking the whole kit and caboodle with you, taking a few framed photos and the odd special ornament/knick knack might make the place feel more homely, otherwise, frankly 4 -5 months will pass by in a flash!

[3questionmarks]

Yeah, I know it will go quick. I worked in the US for a bit too, but just not done it with a baby. Also since it's short, I don't want to make any fundamental schoolgirl errors!! Like taking too much, taking nothing and needlessly doubling up on things or leaving behind stuff that she'll have grown out of by the time we get back - that sort of thing...

[3questionmarks]

Thanks Califrau, if I do come over (and I probably will) I'll be based in Toronto

[NotQuiteCockney]

Um, Califrau, do they? Really? Because Canadians can spell neighbours properly, so they clearly don't belong there [huffy]

[cameroonmama]

We arrived in Nairobi 4 months ago and have been waiting for our container ever since ds2 is now 11 mths and I brought enough clothes 9-12 and 12-18 (going by the size of the other two I had a feeling he may be rather huge) He has had barely any toys to play with but has had a garden, people, music and cruising and is totally content. Also when we got to know people they gave/lent us stuff for all 3 dc. I am loathe to buy anything because I am a tight arse expecting all our stuff, toys etc to arrive any day now [vv hopeful emoticon] and like you didn't want to double up.

Frankly your baby won't need a great deal to play with, a few basics which you may be able to buy quite cheaply on arrival and possibly sell the larger/more expensive things on departure??

[cameroonmama]

Now I come to think of it, the single most difficult thing to live without was the highchair, which, in the end I managed to borrow from someone. You may be able to take a portable one with you if you don't fancy buying a new one in Canada for such a short space of time.

[yaz2]

take the stuff you dc need such as cuddly toys favorite blanket etc. and medicine such as calpol etc. But as some one pointed out they have babies there too so as long as you are moving to a city you should be able to get most stuff you need there. I moved to germany when ds1 was 6 weeks old and then we made our second move to china 2 years later with 6 week old ds2 and 2 1/2 yr old ds1 it takes good organisation skills to prevent unnecessary stress as kids are more likely to adapt quickly if the parents are relaxed too.

[VanillaPumpkin]

We moved from the UK to Cyprus when dd1 was 4 mths old.
She didn't need anything special really.
I would recommend taking sudocream if you use it as I nearly paid £10 for a tub in Cyprus I was so desperate...and maybe Calpol or Medised.
The only recommendation I have is to take some good photos of family and friends. We were overseas for nearly three years and did have visits, but dd knew who people were from the photos and that was very important to me.
It sounds exciting. Have fun!