Hello Singapore MNers - a few questions on visit with DCs

[flimflammum]

Hello there. I'm coming to Singapore next week for a five-week visit (DH is working there on and off and we plan to emigrate early next year), with DS age 3 and DD 12 months. I'm getting a bit nervous about what I need to bring. I've visited Singapore briefly before when DS was a baby, so I know a bit, but a few questions for you:

Is there any particular baby stuff that it's difficult to get hold of? She's not on formula, so that's not a problem. Where's a good shop for sugar/salt-free food and western food like cheese?

Any tips for coping with the heat and humidity, other than the obvious keep them in the shade and drink lots of fluids?

Any health issues I should be aware of?

What do you do about taxis and car seats or lack of? Just hold them on your lap?

Any tips for getting over jet lag?

Thanks for any replies to any of the above.

Wish me luck with the flight!

Good luck and hoping you all have a great time here in Singapore!

Singapore mums with small children will be able to help more with car seat issues, nappies etc. My children are much older but the following might be useful:

For western food we use Jelita Cold Storage or Marketplace at Tanglin Mall. Lots of Waitrose goods are available there. Also try M&S at CentrePoint and Great World City for their food sections. There is a good health food shop at Tanglin Mall too.

Make sure you are all up to date on your vax. There are some nasty bugs floating around. Hepatitis can be a real nasty. Buy bug sprays and patches when you get here to ward off the Dengue mozzie plus all his friends.

Be careful not to swig out of drinks cans here without cleaning the top (or using a straw) esp if buying from a hawker cantre/stall rather than supermarket.

Buy sun tops and caps for the children to wear in the pool. Tanglin Mall and Paragon have swim shops with a good selection.

The jet lag can be a pain. I would suggest pacing yourself for the first few days. Don't be too ambitious. Relax and enjoy the sun- with lots of sun screen on of course.

most european/western items can be found in tanglin mall (also food). lots of items for babies, dc, too.

dengue has become quite prevalent here, so make sure you guys wear mostly white and put lotions on (deet or austral. eucalyptus oil) to ward off these daytie mozzies when out in the fields/parks

can you buy water sprays? realy find them useful (Evian, Shu Uemura, etc.) Definitely buy antibacterial wet wipes and antibacterial no water rinse gel!!

i carry my 4wks old in my hands. maybe order mercedes limousine taxis rather than the usual ones.

to prevent jet lag I usually eat just before I board the plane, then immediately doze off with ear plugs, eye mask, woollen socks and doube blanket till I wake up somewhere over east russia. by then it's 4 more h to go and I change my t-shirt and put make-up on. If you wake up in the night, crew will always have a sarnie and water ready.

Travelling with dc I know nothing off but would suggest calpol for them and either coffein tablets or melatonine ones for you

Take care & hv a great time!

Thanks so much, that's all really useful.

One of the biggest moans by expats here is the standard of driving. DS has only ever been in taxis to/from the airport, and I take the car seat.

I appreciate buying a car/dragging a seat around is not an option for you on holiday, but I'd try to use the MRT where you can. People DO hold kids on their laps in the front seat (even in their own $300k cars) even though it's illegal and (in my view) insane!

For the 3 year old, if you go to the Paragon centre on Orchard Road, on the 5th floor (I think) is a shop called THe First Few Years. They sell something called the Eddie Bauer portable car seat. It's a lightweight harness type thing you can use in taxis etc. Not great, but better than the alternative. If they're out of stock you can hire them from The Toy Rental Club (google them).

For the 12 month old, have you a travel system you could still use while you're here?

No problem getting anything you'd use in the UK here. Note that December is the rainy season so bring a brolly!