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| Your
baby's reaction: |
| Your
baby may not like you at first. It's nothing personal,
but you look very funny to someone who has probably
never seen a Caucasian before. Take it slowly. Play with
your baby, and give him/her a bottle or |
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| some
dry Cheerios (if your baby is over 6 months old).
Don't
be discouraged if your baby cries when he/she looks at you.
The baby will soon realize that like it or not, he or she
is stuck with you and will accept you. Prepare your family
at home for a similar response when you arrive home. |
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| What
to expect when you receive your child |
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Your baby's physical condition:
1. Expect scabies and maybe lice.
2. Don't be alarmed if the baby's head is misshapen. They have
simply spent too much time in their crib. Their head will soon begin
to return to normal. |
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3.
Mongolian spot—sort of an Asian birthmark that will
disappear. It is at the top of the baby's behind and resembles
a blue bruise. Please inform anyone who will be caring
for your child about this. Parents have been reported
to the authorities by caregivers who think the child has
been abused.
4. Blue head—this results from caretakers who believe
that some awful blue gunk will cure scabies and cradle
cap. They really like this stuff. If they attempt to put
more on the child, just smile and say thank you. It will
eventually come off. Do not insult the caretakers by saying
"Yuck."
Public Attention:
Expect heads to turn when you and your baby go outside
of the hotel. Numerous people who will ask questions about
the adoption will approach you. Do not feel obliged to
answer these questions, but do be polite. You will be
told that you |
| are
not dressing the baby warmly enough, not feeding enough,
or too much, etc. Don't get defensive, just say thanks.
There will be those persons who will want to touch or hold
the baby; after all, the babies are beautiful! |
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No
harm will come, and you will do great things for the perception
of adoption.
At the Orphanage:
When you go to the orphanage you should be very polite
to everyone you meet. The person who has been taking care
of your child may want to hold him/her for most of the
time you |
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are there. Please let her do this. She has taken care of
your child and this will be the last time she will see him/her.
Give her a few last moments. She may also show you how to
hold and feed your baby. Again, let her do this. You will
soon be on your way home and you can do what ever you |
please.
You have the rest of your life with your child; she has
only a few more minutes.
It is extremely important that we be good ambassadors
for IAAP and also for the United States. The adoptions
of other families will depend on this. To show anger or
frustration is a cultural no-no. You should smile and
be very happy no matter what happens.
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