Clothes for family moving to Doha - definitive guide?!

[socmonster]

Hi all

Would really appreciate a bit of advice from any mums in Qatar on what to bring clothing wise for myself and kids when we move to Doha in June!

I'll have a 4 month old daughter and 4 year old son. I've read a lot about how cold it can get with the a/c, so for the baby would I still be looking at babygros and vests when in doors? In the cooler months I'm thinking cardigans or would a coat be recommended? Would she ever need to wear tights? (She already has about ten pairs and not even born yet!) And for sleeping, will it be cool enough for sleeping bags/ Grobags? Any other words of advice on baby front? OT but terrified about all the tiled floors out there when she starts walking ! 😖😖

DS is probably a bit more straight forward! I'm presuming t shirt, shorts and crocs are pretty much a staple? Would he wear long sleeve t shirts at all in the winter? Jeans and coat? I've read in a few places that children's shoes are v expensive - do ppl recommend bringing the next couple of sizes with them?

And for me - think I've gotten my head round what the safest options are - maxi dresses, linen trousers, boleros, pashminas....any other suggestions I'd be grateful of! My main concern though is swimwear. While I'll be happy not to attempt a bikini for quite a while after having the baby, what are the rules around Western women and swimwear? Is it okay within confines of compound? Are there any beaches where it is permitted? What about public pools or water parks? Are men OK in just swim shorts while I'm on the topic?

I'm sure I'll pick all this up when I get there, but I really want to build up a picture of what we're going over to - as well as knowing what to pack! 🙂🙂

Thanks in advance for any advice - a lot of questions there I know 😜 X

Thanks everyone for all the info.... Can I ask anyone with school aged children from the UK - what did you use for proof of your child's immunisations? The only record I have is the page in their red health book. Does a copy of that suffice?

I actually got the surgery to print out a copy of vaccinations, as the Hep and stuff wasn't in the red book. There hasn't been a question regarding them. Or my "Chickenpox on xxx dates, no GP visit" as to why we haven't been vaccinated against that.Thank heavens the old school sent us a printout of the electronic register at the end of each year!

I just used a copy of their red book - that's been fine for us!

Yes that will suffice. Once you are settled you can start the children on the Qatar schedule. There are different vaccines,like varicella and rotavirus plus the timings for MMR, BCG and the Hep vaccines are different . We had to do a catch up schedule.This was advised by our UK doctor if we were staying more than 6 months.

Every now and then the Health ministry offers vaccination catch ups in schools, Recently this waa MMR .Apparently it is super costly to do.
My children started at 3yrs without all the vaccines done and the school has never asked for updated records but I know of one school who has annual updates required.

Scan copies of red book pages were fine for DESS and DBS

Hi @socmonster

I can also recommend Doha Academy as a school. It's a British curriculum school which used to be quite small but has gone through rapid expansion in the last few years. It's a good starting point at least, they are increasing their intake each year and are one of the 'cheaper' options. So have plenty of spaces for the next academic year. Lots of British teachers and a real focus on improving teaching and facilities at the moment.

Would also agree with other posters about not arriving in June - everyone leaves! And this year most schools will be closing early because it's Ramadan.

Thanks again for all your help and advice, absolutely invaluable.

Zimmerzammer- my husband will be working for a government entity so hopefully the RPs won't take too long. Have asked for clearer indication from them.

Hadn't come across Doha Academy Olegjogalot, will look into it, thanks.

Another question re. Vaccinations. Am a but muddled as to how combining UK and qatar schedule will work. My daughter will have gotten up to her 16 week jabs before we go out, which will include partial doses of a lot of the vaccines. So does the doctor/health centre look at what they already have and fill in the gaps to meet the Qatari schedule but not the UK one? They seem to be quite similar, but worried she might be left with some vaccines incomplete if that makes sense. Has anyone gone back to UK to get the 12 month set? Is the new MenB one available on Doha? It just says meningococcal on the source I've found, but doesn't specify B or C.

OT yet again, but just wondering about whether ppl ship over their electrical devices when they move out? It's the same socket type as the UK so does that mean you can bring large kitchen items, TV etc? Or is there something I'm missing?!
Thanks : )

I delayed my daughters vaccinations so she could start on he Qatari schedule (US standard).... she was 8 weeks when we moved out though, so younger than yours, but worth considering. Men B not available here so I've scheduled ours in around Christmas and summer visits back to U.K.

If he's government the 6 month salary slip thing doesn't apply (the government trusts itself to pay the amount in the employment contract!)

On vaccinations, when you get there speak to Dr Renu when you get here www.doctorrenu.com/ She's an excellent British paediatrician and will work out for you what you need to do. The thing to remember is that the pattern of infectious diseases in Qatar is different to that in the UK and the Qatar vaccination schedule has been designed around that e.g. TB is given routinely at birth because there is a higher risk. You might find Dr Renu will answer emails in advance if you have questions (I haven't asked).

You can use UK electricals but consider whether it's worth the shipping cost.

On electricals, I was silly and shipped over kettle, toaster, etc. Carrefour and Lulu hypermarkwts do great deals on electricals, and you'll need them as soon as you arrive (can't wait for delayed shipment!)

We left a fully furnished house in the UK, and have rented a storage "shed" for personal items. We shipped: books, toys, bikes, kids bedding, some kitchen mixing bowls, cake tins etc (with the idea to use and ditch here in 3-5 years), desktop computer (hand carried laptops).
BUT we also moved into a fully furnished house - down to sheets and iron provided. So we could turn up here, and live with just a suitcase of clothes each (and a suitcase of toys!) until our belongings arrived.
Don't bother with anything that isn't provided in the house you move to, and you WILL need before shipment arrives. If you can cope without it (eg cake tins, weighing scales, Donut frier.....) but want it, feel free to ship.
Are you shipping or airfreighting?? That will affect how cost effective it is, and also if you can do without it for the time frame.