Your Care Surrogacy Mexico Packing List

The magical time has finally arrived for you to welcome your baby into the world!  But first you need to pack.  I get asked many questions regarding what to bring to Villahermosa, MX and what exactly is available here.

First, let me just begin by telling you I did not have time to pack!  Luca was born 6 weeks early.  I received the phone call while having dinner with friends.  The next day I was on a flight to Mexico.  I didn't even have a baby shower!  All I had with me was a car seat and 3 onesies.  (of course they did not fit him because he was so tiny).  I was not able to bring my stroller because I was traveling a lone and couldn't carry everything.  It was one of the most stressful times of my life but I made the journey to welcome my son.

Luca stayed in the hospital for 3 weeks to get stronger and gain weight.  I had some time to prepare for what I needed.  The downside to this was I had to spend a lot of money.  Think of everything you may need for a newborn and then think of buying it all at once.  That's exactly what I had to do!

If you are like me you will be in a hotel.  I was in a hotel for a month and now I have a house. (Because I am working/living here).  One of the biggest downsides to the hotel was not being able to sterilize bottles in my room.  I would send the bottles with the maid twice a day to be sterilized.  Everyone was eager to help me because I had this tiny baby and I was doing it all a lone.

So here is my packing list for Villahermosa…I am sure I will need to add/edit this in the future.

1. Carseat…one that has been tried and tested.  The drivers here are crazy!
2. Stroller
3. Co-sleeper:  http://www.burlingtoncoatfactory.com/babydepot/BABY/Shop-Online-For/Activity/Infant-Sleep-Positioners/By-Your-Side-153-Co-sleeper-Tan-337142465.aspx
4. Receiving blankets (8) you can line the co-sleeper with them too.
5. Bodysuits/Onesies.  You can never have too many of these!
6. Socks
7. Caps/Hats
8. Seasonal Outerwear.  It's cold in the A/C but hot/humid outside every day.
9. Diaper Bag
10. Bibs
11. Burp Cloths
12. Bottles (6) You can always buy more once you get here.
13. Pacifiers (3)
14. Bottle Brush
15. First Aid Kit
16. Baby Nail Clippers
17. A small tupperware container for baby formula
18. Baby Carrie/Wrap

And anything you think you may need you can buy here.  Yes, they have shopping malls, supermarkets, Walmart.  The biggest pain will be sterilizing the bottles…but you have to do it! 

Throw out the plan now.  Trust me it doesn't work!  Your baby will arrive when he/she is ready.  Just have fun with it and take in the moment because trust me, it goes by so fast and they change so quickly from day to day.  

I made this list short because most of you are traveling by plane; some a lone.  With the weight restrictions it's not possible to bring everything.  Set some money a side for when you are here to buy the things you need.  

I did not list diapers or formula because I chose to use what the hospital provided for Luca.  When I learned of his release date I purchased the diapers, wipes, formula, shampoo and creams.  

Buy your formula, diapers, creams, medicines, shampoos at the Ahorro Pharmacy!  It's very inexpensive and they have them all over the city.  Shop at Walmart, Liverpool, and Sanborns to save money on the extras. 

I hope this list helps you and I cannot wait to meet your baby and you in Villahermosa!

Dreaming of raising a baby

If you have dreamed of raising a baby, but have recently learned that you are unable to 

conceive or carry a child, there's no reason for you to give up on your dreams.  Through 

Care Surrogacy Mexico, you can have your own baby to love and raise from the moment 

he or she is born.  You may still be able to have a baby who is genetically related to you 

or your partner.

I invite you to connect with me so that I may help navigate your surrogacy options here in Mexico.  I am available via email, Skype or telephone. 

With CARE, 

Carmela 

Sleep baby sleep. Mama is a zombie!

Having a new baby is an exciting beautiful experience but it can also be exhausting!

Recently my friend Caitlin gave me sleep schedule tips to use on Luca and let me just tell you…THEY WORK, if you stick to the routine!  I am happy to report that I am well rested and working! LOL!

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  First, you must keep the bedroom dark. Use a night light or a hall light with the door pulled shut if you have to feed the baby…and do not change the baby unless he/she is poopy. The baby will probably have a soaked diaper by morning but that's ok. Caitlin suggests using the purple desitin at night to protect their bums. You should also use bedtime diapers to help with that too.
  
  No talking to the baby when you have to go into the bedroom. You must try to establish a bedtime too. Luca is a little over a month old so his bedtime around 8 p.m. I bathe him and go straight to his bedroom, feed and read a short baby book while he is in his crib awake yet sleepy so he can soothe himself to sleep. Caitlin also suggests playing a baby lullaby on repeat very low at night. Babies as well as children need a routine especially for sleep. Once you bathe you baby take them into their dim bedroom and be calm and soothing.  
  
  As for daytime...You must try to keep your baby awake during the day. Luca's day schedule varies but mostly it's a nap from 10-12 a.m. and again from 1-3 p.m. Placing him on this daytime schedule helped him establish a bedtime routine. I let him sleep in the living room in a pack-n-play where the tv is so he can hear noise. I also keep the blinds open so that he knows the difference between nap time and bed time. This was a big issue for Luca because he is a premie and was in the hospital for a few weeks around bright lights and loud noises. You should NOT try to be quiet because you want the baby to understand nap vs bed. If you keep up with it, it should not take your baby long to pick up on the sleep schedule.
  
  Good luck and please let me know if the sleep schedule has helped your baby!
  

  
  

  
  

Happy April!

Welcome to my Carmela Cares blog!  I am very excited to share my Care Surrogacy Mexico experience with you as well as helpful baby advice and everything in between.  Please join me as I embark on motherhood while juggling a new career. 

This is an incredibly exciting time for IVF and Surrogacy.  There are many topics that I will be covering to further educate and grow the community.  If there are any questions or concerns you have regarding Care Surrogacy Mexico please do not hesitate to contact me. 

Happy April!!

with CARE, 

~Carmela