A very dull question about buying pull up pants in Germany

[crackofdoom]

Possibly the least exciting thread to appear in the "Holidays" section, but here's my dilemma:

We're going Interrailing this summer- mostly Germany, Romania and Bulgaria- so only a medium sized rucksack each. DS2, who is 10, still isn't dry at night (suspected autism and awaiting a diagnosis before anyone comes at me over that).

It's very easy and fairly cheap to buy Dry Nites pyjama pants for his age group here, but I haven't seen them so available in eg France and Spain. Are they easy to find in supermarkets in Germany? (and in Romania, if anyone knows)?

Otherwise, we'll have to bring 2 massive packs with us from the UK, which is pretty bulky!

You can easily get DryNites or Ninjamas from a supermarket or drug store like DM or Rossmann.

Oh, thank you! First stop is Berlin, so there must be loads of branches of those stores there. I'm now going to look up if there are any close to our hostel.

Yes there will be. They are everywhere. If you don't find them in the first branch you try, look for a bigger one.

You can also use the DM website to order for click and collect if you want to be sure. The DM own brand Babylove is also fine.

Thank you lovely. Not to be stalky, but I seem to remember that you live in Germany and have some kind of acquaintance with neurodiversity, so I feel I've found an expert straight off here!

Some supermarkets if big, but otherwise generally in Europe you need to look for Boots equivalent type places. They sell all toiletries, baby change stuff, some food essentials you might not find elsewhere especially things like dairy/ gluten free

Places to look:
Dm ( they also have this in Romania)
Mueller
Bipa - i think they are called ninjamas (if in Austria- they also have dm and Mueller)

You will often find one of them in or around large train stations also so should be fine.

I do, although I'm a long way from Berlin.

Agree about the boots type places. DM is good for the allergy foods, or you can also try Alnatura. Supermarkets are a bit rubbish here sadly. I haven't come across Bipa but I know old East vs West Germany still have some different brands.

Sympathies, have a 10 year old with the same issue, no indication of autism here either, I am assuming it's hormonal. Mine sleeps with an alarm (has done for the best part of a year), which hasn't stopped the issue, but does stop the sheets from getting even slightly wet. Not sure if that is an option. It is loud when it sounds, which may rule it out for you, but just thought I would share.

Funnily enough I have just ordered an alarm!

It's a drag isn't it....every time he "leaks" I have to change the whole bed....and it's a high sleeper....and he usually has about 50 of his closest emotional support books in there , so they all have to be removed before we can get the sheet and mattress protector off....😬

And he got teased again at school camp this year. Not that it seemed to bother him, he's a tough cookie, but still....

I am eager to see what the shopping experience is like in Romania nowadays. I last went 25 years ago and remember shops selling nothing but corn meal, soap and plum brandy. I gather things have changed a bit! 😆

@crackofdoom - there are apparently x3 Dm in Bucharest if that helps.

Bipa is very good if you can find one ( I’m not sure if it’s only Austria, so maybe if you stop on route). It has very good own brand, as well as higher end like weleda and eco brands.

@BertieBotts - Bipa is owned by the Rewe group. So in Germany Rewe supermarket. Austria Billa and adeg supermarket, and Bipa. All the same company basically.

Op - ps once you cross Germany south somewhere Aldi supermarkets becomes Hofer. So lots of central and east Europe if you spot Hofer, it’s just Aldi.
Lidi and Rewe supermarkets are both in Romania. Rewe is probably closest to something like Sainsburys in Uk ( Rewe is Billa in Austria). Confused yet?!

Romanian plum brandy is something else. Especially if home brewed

@crackofdoom I checked my DM app for Ninjamas and Drynites in Berlin. See screenshot. If you let us know where your are staying we can help further! Around half the DMs stock the Drynites in your son's size (green ticks on the map indicate a store that stocks them) The Ninjamas are only available online.

I am stunned by the sheer breadth and depth of German supermarket and chemist's knowledge on this thread, stunned I tell you!

What dedication from the Mumsnet massive.
Uphighseesky we will be in Kreuzberg.

I was going to say DM too but everyone else beat me to it. It’s my favourite shop in Germany. I buy my tomato paste, olive oil and flour there because it is cheaper. And toilet rolls…..they still had plenty during Covid 🤣

Okay so it seems there are a few more Rossmann stores than DM stores in the direct Kreuzberg area, and they all seem to stock them. So that might be your best bet! Just find your hostel on Google maps and search the area for Rossmann stores.

Supermarkets in more central areas of Berlin are usually smallish, so I'd think you'd be more successful with the "drugstores"

Obviously after this, I'm going to have to visit both, compare and contrast and report back 😆. I will write it into the itinerary between the Reichstag and East Side Gallery (joking, I don't hold with detailed daily itineraries, I'm more the vague framework type).

Have an medal of the first class for your dedication to German continence product distribution information Uphighseesky 🥉

(eta I really really hope that there's a single word in German for "continence product distribution information" 😆)

Ah, kochst du eine grosse pizza?!

(Yes, I am preparing for our trip with daily sessions with die grune eule )

Good for you. Nein ist nur billiger und gutes. I’ve lived here for 14 years but only learnt German properly in the last 4 years. Thanks DP that only speaks German. I could shop and eat out.

Both Rossmann and DM have excellent (almost) real-time stock control - by Berlin shopping standards it‘s incredibly efficient. Don‘t they have a sort of click and collect too, just in case stock is running low in a particular branch? DM staff are also comparatively helpful if you show them the picture on your phone.
It was 37 degrees here today! If it’s that warm when you come you might like to try the open-air pool at Prinzenbad. Kreuzberg is not my idea of fun in summer, I‘m afraid.

Where's Prinzenbad??

As the temperature has risen, I have been researching pools and swimming opportunities all along our route! I think it would be nice to visit one of the lakes on the outskirts of Berlin if it gets hot- any recommendations?

We'll be pretty close to the Spree, and I see there's a funky looking floating outdoor swimming pool on it close to our hostel! Also somewhere to rent kayaks and paddle under the Oberbaumbrucke (I am mildly obsessed with that bridge).

I have also scoped out a nice looking beer garden next to the canal.

Am very impressed that every outdoor pool in Central Europe also appears to have a bar :)

OP - not the answer to your question on pull ups but regarding changing the bedsheets in the high sleeper when leaks happen.

Have you heard of these? I was debating the kids version for my eldest and I know someone who uses them who raves about them.

hygge-sheets.com/products/organic-bamboo-mattress-protector-single-bed

Prinzenbad is a public pool right next to Prinzenstrasse U-Bahn. The small swimming pool in the Spree is definitely more adult and sophisticated by comparison (but more limited space too).
Our main swimming lakes nearby are Krumme Lanke and Schlachtensee, but both have been made very difficult in summer by the decriminalisation of dope - basically the beaches all stink of weed now. Schlachtensee is marginally better because you can find a separate small clearing rather than sharing a beach with hundreds of other people. Strandbad Wannsee costs money but is probably less anti-social in that respect. DH swims in Krumme Lanke most evenings and he’s fine with it, but he also doesn‘t spend hours hanging out there. Schlachtensee has SUPs and rowing boats for rent too. Fischerhütte is a nice beergarden at the top of Schlachtensee.
The Oberbaumbrücke is an interesting, if quirky, obsession!

It's 10 years since we were in Berlin with our kids but we had a lovely day out at Wannsee.

My 15 year old asked for a chocolate muffin at the bar and was gobsmacked to be given a beer instead 😂

I hope you have fun on your holidays. We are staying here in Germany again this year for our holidays. Don’t need to travel far for fun. Outdoor swimming pools here are great. I love that when they close they have a dog day.