Shopping for Baby

Greetings All,

I have been tasked by my wife to purchase some things for my daughter and I am having trouble finding a few of them. Any shoppers out there with help would be greatly appreciated!

[list][*]Laundry Soap: Our daughter has very sensitive skin. Laundry detergent with perfumes and dyes will make her skin break out horribly. Where I come from, they have special "baby detergents". I have just spent the last half hour reading the labels at Nakumatt and don't know if I found anything appropriate or not. Any suggestions?

[list][*]Baby Food: Again, not what I am used to. I used to buy Gerber's Oatmeal. I saw some "porridge" that may or may not be what a 10 month old should be eating? Also, looking for vegetables and fruits. I do not have a food processor, is this the only way or do we have pre-packaged baby foods?

[list][*]Butt Paste: This is what it is called in the States (brand name). It is a zinc oxide paste that is used after diaper changes. Another brand, I think, was A&D Ointment? I did not see these brands.

[list][*]Baby Formula: There are tons of baby formulas out there. I am used to buying Infomil (sp?) DHA. Is there a brand that is better than others? I am not used to Nestle, or Milk/Cow whatever.

I appreciate any help that can be provided. My wife and daughter arrive late Wednesday evening and I am to have all the supplies ready and available. I think I should have paid closer attention prior to leaving the States...

Kind Regards

TexanMzungu

I sympathise with your shopping plight - (sorry for late reply - hope it's not too late! I guess your wife is here by now.)

1. Laundry soap - they have washing/soap products like 'Ecover' in the Heathy U chain of shops found at Junction, Yaya Centre (not sure where else). These might help. There is a Chandarana supermarket at Yaya Centre and ABC Place and Lavington Green which often has some UK brands that cannot be found at Nakumatt.

2. Also try looking for baby food at Healthy U. I used 'Purity' for my babies that can be found at Nakumatt but supply is intermittent, it's a good South African brand I think - but obviously I guess fresh is best so investing in a hand blender is worth it.

3. Butt Paste - I swear by Sudocrem - it's great and sounds like exactly what you are looking for - a zinc baby cream. Buy at Nakumatt or try any chemist - it is very commonly used here. (Also good for treating burns and scrapes for older kids and adults too!).

4. Baby formula - I used SMA 'progress' milk powder after 6 months. Other friends used Naan. For more specialist ones try Healty U again. If you see the brand you want, albeit nappies or formula - buy in bulk because the chances are the next time you are looking, they don't have it. A friend of mine brought all her wet wipes and nappies over from UK, which in my opinion was a little nuts. Her kids are 9 and 7 now and she still has leftover wipes and nappies squirreled away in her house, gathering dust!

Good luck! You can find most things you need here, so no need to improvise that much. All the fruits and vegetables are excellent foods for your baby. Sadly, What Nairobi is not good on is good quality organic instant baby food pouches and cartons of ready mixed milk etc. all the convenience stuff that the USA and UK are so good on these days.

Good luck!

Just wanted to add - do check out the Kenyabuzz.com website. It's a valuable directory of shopping/schools/medical/services/entertainment etc in Nairobi - should be a great help to anybody who is new in town.

For all you non-believers out there, Sudocrem is the BOMB! Cleared up rash very quickly, easier to spread, stays put longer...going to buy in bulk to take back to the States!

Thank you for all the other hints, all have been used and appreciated!

TexanMzungu