travelling in china with a baby?

Hi,

Few months ago Melanie F was asking about travelling to China, Hong Kong and Japan with her baby. I'm going to the same places with my 1-year old baby for three weeks and I'd like to know if she can share her experiences or if someone has more info (in particular China) about transport between cities with a baby (not by plane, I know there are many routes served by bus), food (fresh milk, pots, fruit: availability and quality in cities apart from Beijing, Shanghai, etc) and nappies. I'm really worried about food and nappies as I can't get everything from home.

Sorry for all the questions. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

dont take the baby with you.
dont have time to answer, but i will after finish work.
baby isn't a good idea anywhere you go. China, as a developing country, the felicity is not good either. also when adult visiting china, they will have illnesses and it will be worse for babies. i'm not trying to slag off china, it's a fact and i am Chinese.

1 year old child must not be taken to travel it is better to cancel the trip and enjoy helping child at home only

Do not go if you plan to travel by bus the drivers are manic they overtake on blind bends and brow of hill .I spent a month in china it is dirty and has no facilities to change a baby and never buy food from a market the food is out by day and the rats by night on the same stalls. train travel is not much better dirty toilets and overcrowded and it is hard to find someone who speaks english out side of Beijing .Even the taxis are not maintained .the only place you might get nappies is walmart. sorry for being-so negative but that is how I found it

I thought everyone had heard of the melamine episode.

Hi!! I myself have traveled with my kid when he was 1 year old. We traveled by bus and rickshaw in India (and of course the trains). But I must say it is a bit tiring traveling with a 1year old. I was with 2 friends and they helped me a lot. I think you can get nappies there, but do take some medicines and creams for your kid and for yourself as well. I will reply more later! My kid is calling ! :)

You might actually want to stick to plane travel between cities in China as plane are better equipped for a baby (if you're worried that you'll disturb other passangers with your baby's crying, then you maybe you should defer the trip until the baby is a bit older). While in China, you'll probably need to use the washrooms at hotels as they are bigger and offer more clean space for you to change diapers. Also, try to stay in bigger cities like Beijing and Shanghai just in case you need medical assistance...

I haven't travelled to China, Hong Kong and/or Japan with a baby before, but from what I remember and understand, it'll be easier if you travel sandwich China in between Japan and Hong Kong. It'll be easier for you to find suitable food for your baby in Hong Kong and Japan. So, say you travel to Hong Kong and you stock up for the China trip (so you don't have to bring everything from home), then by the time you've used up the supplies in China, you'll be on your way to Japan, where you can easily buy baby supplies again.

Milk in Hong Kong and in Japan are different from the milk at home and your baby might have problems adjusting to the taste. You might want to consider bringing powered formula.

Personally, I would not take the risk of taking a young child on such a journey. Facilities are basic in most places, and non-existent in rural areas. Travelling long distances by bus is uncomfortable for anybody, let alone an infant. Summers are hot and VERY humid.