Baby in Bahrain

[ShinySarah]

Hi all,
I'll be taking my baby to Bahrain mid November and he'll be 8 weeks old, any practical advice? What to take? Any considerations for when we're there? He'll be having his first set of jabs in the UK...All suggestions would be appreciated!!

Hiya. Congrats on the baby. What's he called?

Some advice. Pack lots of infacol, can't get it here. And lansinoh if you're breastfeeding. If formula feeding, bring lots of your preferred brand - you can get aptimil, sma and cow & gate here. Jawad is the best supermarket for babymilk ranges.

Jabs, they do them at 2,4 and 6 months here rather than 2,3 and 4 months. Don't think that matters much. I haven't bothered with a BCG.

As I said before, November/December a good time to come as not too too hot.

Get a maid as soon as you possibly can. Where are you planning to live? Have you got anywhere yet? Have you been out to visit? Not sure if I start rabbiting on about stuff you'll know what/where I mean.

Baby shops - there's a lovely mamas and papas and a Mothercare in Seef Mall (a "proper" one - there's another shop called mothercare but not good), otherwise baby clothes expensive or v v cheap and nasty- do a big Boden shop if you can (assuming you like that stuff). Having said that, Adams and M&S are here.

Hope that's okay for starters, feel free to post any random questions that occur to you. If I don't know, I'll find someone who does.

Hi ya! Baby is called Joseph and is doing fine thank you! In 2 minds about whether to have his jabs here or in Bahrain, still mulling that one over.
How's it going over there for you?
We've got a place on Amwaj island, and other half has flew back out there today to get things sorted. Where do you live? How are the children?
Thanks for the ongoing advice!!

We're in Budaiya/Barbar to be near the school. Amwaj nice but other side to here. Not that anything is very far away in Bahrain. Are you in a house or flat? I assume you drive - get a 4x4 if you can. They all drive like maniacs here. A hummer for preference, or a tank

Thing with jabs is that you'll pay here and they're free at home. I paid the equivalent of £35 for Logan.

Boys are settling nicely, thanks. A great thing about here is that they are in bed at 7 rather than 8 here cos the day starts so much earlier.

Join a club - the British Club or the Dilumn Club - both have websites www.britishclubbahrain.com/ and www.dilmun-club.com/
you'll see the list of activities. I met the woman who runs the baby groups at the British Club - she is lovely.
I haven't got round to going there yet, though.

Um, can't think of anything else of the top of my head. I've can get websites and numbers for off licences who deliver (they are few and far between here, no alcohol in the supermarkets).

Where is your DH going to be working?

Hi,
My DH is already working for a company called Oriental Press and it's going well, so far so good anyhow.
I'm now considering having DS jabs out there as it means I'll be over quicker and have longer there before we come back in December for a few weeks.
Where did Logan have his jabs?
Will have a look at the websites too.
And yep...have been warned about the need for a tank!!!
Are you enjoying it over there?

Hi. Logan had his at the American Mission Hospital clinic in Sar. You'll be closer to the actual AMH itself in Adliya although may find the clinic easier to deal with as it's smaller. The hospital at Awali is also very good.

Am enjoying it. As you'd expect with any big move, you have good days and bad days. Today happens to be a bad day (but to put it in perspective, only my third bad day in two months..)as I'm missing my friends. Having said that, everyone I've met here is very nice and friendly, it's just that you won't have the "depth" of friendship that you've got back home - at least for a while anyway. And, of course, i have a three month old baby and am knackered. Guess what I'm trying to say is don't expect too much of yourself or put yourself under pressure.

It really is such a fabulous opportunity to come out here and be somewhere so different.

Hey, sorry to hear you're having a bad day but 3 bad days in 2 months like you say, is not too bad...soon I'll be over and bad days can be spent together!!
Yep I must admit it is the 'missing friends and family' thing which does concern me a little, especially with having the baby but it's like you said, good days and bad days.
Hope you feel better tomorrow.

Hi Sarah, just wondering how your move is going - can't believe it's November already...

Hiiii,
Delayed the move so DS could have his jabs and I come over this week!! All ok over there? I know, the time has flown, it's going to be Christmas in a blink, scary. I do however, feel like I've been in a 'new born baby fog' since September and am only starting to stick my head out now!

All good, weather is beautiful. Let me know when you're here. Will be going to baby group at the rugby club so maybe you can come along and meet some people.

Name is Lorna by the way.

Have a safe flight out.

Thanks Lorna, see you soon!

Hi Lorna,
How's it going?
I'm now back in the UK for xmas...had internet problems in Bahrain which was a nightmare!! Managed to get a taster of the island anyhow and even went to a xmas carol concrt at the Tulip Hotel!! Are you over there for xmas? We fly back out on 28th.

Hi Sarah, you'll be flying back soon. I was singing at the Golden Tulip! Small world. On the back row, left hand side, second sopranos. Did you enjoy it?

We were in the UK 9th to 17th Dec as we were at a family funeral.

Give me a shout when you're back, maybe you can pop round for a cuppa if you bear the drive over this side! There's a baby group at the rugby club on Mondays and Dimun Club on Thursdays.

Hope you had a lovely Christmas.

Hey Lorna,
We're here, got here late last night!! Would love to pop round for a cuppa once I'm mobile, shouldn't be too long as it's near the top of the list (and it's soem list!!)so it's just a case of sorting it. Where are you again?

V small world...I said to other half I wondered if you were there!! The baby slpt through the entire thing and woke up as we were leaving!

Hope you're well and have had a good xmas.Take care and hopefully see you soon.

Anyhow, off to continue unpacking, it's never ending!

Hiya, just managed to get DH to get the monsters to bed. On laptop with glass of wine in hand. Nice. Will be watching my strictly come dancing download later.

School starts again on the 4th Jan so any morning in the school week is good except Tuesdays when I have tennis. Do you play?

Am in Barbar, just off the Budaiya Highway at the Saar roundabout. Mobile is 39748248. Give me a call when you're settled.

Good luck with the unpacking.

See you soon.

Hi ya Lorna, that was my plan last night but DS would not go down for longer than half hour until around 11 and by which point I was knackered!! (Especially as he woke at 1 and 4 with the sneezes!!)

Anyhow, thanks for the invite but I think I'll be giving the tennis a miss as I do play, badly! Even worse at the minute as have damaged my elbow.

Had a OMG moment this morning about moving here but I'm sure it's because I'm tired...

Can't actually belive it's new year tonight!! Have a good one whatever your doing and I'll be in touch soon...

How are the children doing by the way?

Speak soon xx
PS Is Logan on a 4 hour routine? If so, when did you put him on one?

Happy New Year.

Logan just on a 4 hour routine now at 5 months - sort of. Was difficult getting him much past 3 - 3.5 hours between feeds to be honest, so I planned around 3.5. Think it'll be easier now he's on solids (nice nappies!). Having said that, DS1 and DS2 were on 4 hourly feeds at 3 months.

Well, off to make a huge lasagne now that DH has taken all of the boys out to the climbing frame. They've been driving me mad today but that could have something to do with the teensy hangover.

Btw my tennis is shocking - just started lessons.

Take care.

L x

Hey Lorna!
Sounds like you had a good new year, I was in bed and slept through it! Better be different next year!
Thanks for the advice re 4 hour feeds...ds has an internal clock like nothing Ive ever known and is bang on the 3 hours for his feeds!
Getting mobile sorted this week (another thing ticked off the list!! :O) so will text you with number.
Meant to say, if you're up this way at the shopping malls (Ive been spending too much in City Centre already, not good) then I'll meet you for a coffee, just let me know!
Tennis lessons sounds fab by the way however, Im sure Id still be much worse than you!
Still haven't got in the car yet, after seeing the way they drive, the tank is preferable!
Speak soon x
PS Loving the fact that they think it's freezing and are wearing ear muffs...haven't seen them since the 80s, excellent...

Har har on the ear muffs - cracks me up. It is pretty cold though.

Was in City Centre yesterday (or was it Friday? pah, can't remember. No, it was Friday). You weren't in Zara Home with a Bugaboo were you?

Will need to go to Geant this week for some masonry nails/picture hanging stuff and also need to look at beds at Home Centre in City Centre. It's Ashoora this week so think all the shops will be shut on Wednesday and maybe Tuesday too. Thursday might be a good day to shop, though. Could do the morning but would need to leave there at 11.30 to be sure of picking DS2 up in time. Actually, Friday might be better as I'll be able to leave the boys and maybe even the baby at home. wdyt?

Okay, it's wine o'clock. Better go.

L x

Hey got phone sorted so will text you later re meeting!
No red quinny, but I was in City Centre!! x