What I would take that I couldn’t find in China (easily)?

Here is a list of things that I have on my definitely take next time we go to China - thought I'd share - it is from an Aussie perspective but I'm sure you can adapt it for other countries.

A power board with 3-pin plug – many of the hotels have Aussie style powerpoints BUT they only work if the plug has 3 prongs! Also they might only have one Aussie powerpoint in the room so if you want to charge a number of things the powerboard is the answer (we were able to charge the video recorder, the mobile phone and have the portable DVD player running at the same time - godsend!).

Adaptor plugs – a full set just in case there is no Aussie style powerpoint – you can then plug in your powerboard.

Portable DVD player and DVDs - absolutely fantastic if you are travelling with an older child as it keeps them entertained (they get very bored at watching CNN and so will you); throw in some of your own DVDs for when they have gone to sleep but you aren't ready to; we took our DVDs in a single CD case (hard backed with sleeves for each disk) and they took up hardly any room.

Aussie disposable nappies (they have the resealable tabs and are more leak proof) – definitely for the flights if nothing else

Aussie baby wipes for sensitive skin – as it turns our Emily is allergic to most brands except the ones I happened to take with us

Milton’s tablets, a 3.5 L container and a bottlebrush – I chose to sterilise the bottles (some people don’t) and this kit was my travelling steriliser

Nappy sacks (perfumed) –didn’t see any over there; and they are a god send when you are in your hotel room with a bathroom tidy full of dirty nappies

Thermos – 500ml Kathmandu brand – has this nifty top which means you don't have to fully unscrew the top to get water out- just right for a couple of bottles on the run plus we used it at night as putting the kettle was too much hassle; yes you can find them if you look but it might take some time.

Tinned baby food – I took baby pears (helps prevent constipation; note stewed apple will make baby more constipated.) and other fruit and some meat ones

Snacks and quick eats for yourself – if you are trapped in the hotel room with a sick baby you appreciate not starving to death (the bonus is with food is as you eat it you make room in the bag for your shopping!); if you are travelling with an older child take tins of stuff for them as well (because chances are they will turn there nose up at some point at what is offered at the restaurant - our daughter like Heinz Little Kids variety 1-3 yo - take an enamel mug big enough to hold the tin and pour boiling water in and let sit for 10 minutes - warms the food sufficiently to make it palatable) - I also recommend a travel tube of Vegemite - most supermarkets sold mini-loaves of bread (sometimes only 4 slices), buy these and slap some Vegemite on - great on the road for kids and big kids alike.

Cough medicine, throat lozenges, cold/flu medication, headache tablets (actually the whole medical kit) for self and baby – yes you can go to the doctor there but it is a little like home, if you have a virus they tell you to take some OTC medicine and go to bed; problem is you can’t always get what you would take at home; the local stuff can taste foul. If you baby comes with a cold you are sure to end up with it.

Baby panadol and baby nurofen – take both with you – if the baby has a high sustained fever you can alternate these meds (each one can be taken only a max of 3-4 times a day);

Thermometer – digital or in your ear are best (glass ones break and take a long time to register); the little strip things for the forehead are OK; but you want to know if you or bub have a fever.

Anti-inflammatory tablets/cream – I thought I had prepared at the gym but nothing prepared me for lifting 8.5kg of wriggling baby constantly; I developed RSI in both wrists – I lived on my husband’s anti-inflammatories. When we got home I switched to cream on advice of the GP, fortunately as my arms strengthened I got over it but I was to the point of crying when I was in China.

Zip lock bags (various sizes) – great for storing lots of things; great for protecting documents; great for putting your passport and money in, if carrying in your money belt under your clothes (no one wants sweating money or a passport), great for carrying snacks - just great full stop!

Mobile phone (don’t forget your charger)– we had ours set to international roam but barred to incoming calls (we could phone out though). We used them to text family in Australia and they could text us – we used this to let them know when we would be in the room so they could call us. Also handy because there were a couple of occasions when we lost each other (temporarily) and we were able to text each other and meet up again.

Memory cards for your digital camera – take more than you think you will need, don’t go for one really big memory cards – take a series of smaller ones – cards do fail (even new ones) and if everything is on one card you will regret it … You can buy cards over there but they are the same price or more than you pay here (depending on type – our friend played heaps more for one compatible with his Olympus)