Questions, questions, and more questions. Adoptive parents need to focus during the transition process and get all the information they possibly can. It doesn’t matter how old your baby or child is when you become the parent, there are some basic things you want to know.
- Which foods does the baby or child like or dislike? If you are adopting an infant what brand of formula, and type of bottle does the baby like? What types of solid food has the baby been given? If the child is older, ask what the favorite foods are and what the problem foods are? How is the child fed or how does the child feed himself? Does the child have a favorite dish, spoon or cup? Does the child like finger foods? Is it okay for the food on the plate to touch?
- What is the Schedule Like? When does the baby or child take naps, eat and have baths? Adoptive parents want to find out how the baby or child expects the day to go. What and where is food eaten and what kind of care does the baby or child need? When does the child sleep and for how long? Is there a bedtime routine? Are there any toys, teddy bears, pillows or blankets the baby or child likes to sleep with?
- Does the child use the toilet on a set schedule? If the child is a baby what brand of diapers are use? How sensitive is the baby to rashes and what creams are used? Is your child toilet trained? What about bed wetting, does the child use pull up’s?
- How and when does the baby or child take a bath? Is there any special soap, shampoos or creams the child likes? Bathtub toys or games the baby plays with? Does the baby like baths or cry when his or her hair is washed? Does the child brush his or her own teeth, have a special kind of tooth paste or tooth brush they like to use?
- What does the child usually wear? What kind of laundry soap is used to wash the child’s close where they are now? Does the little one sleep in jammies or a sleeper and what are sleeping clothes called? What is the normal day-to-day clothing look like? Is this a kid who is picky or not picky about clothing? Can the child dress him or her self? What kind of shoes does the child like to wear? Can the child put on his or her own shoes and tie them?
- Is the child allergic to anything? Are there any regular medications or dietary supplements? Vitamins or fluoride tablets? Does the child have any regular physical complaints such as head aches?
- What kind of music does the child like? What does the child usually play with? Is there a favorite toy or blanket?
- Can the child sit, crawl, or stand? What about speaking, making sentences, or recognizing colors, letters, or numbers? Has there been any testing or indication of developmental delays? If the child is in school, at what level is the work?
- How does the child get along with other children? With adults? With pets? What have past relationship been like?
- Is the child especially attached to particular people? What methods of comforting are most effective?
Many adoptive parents try to make transition into their homes a low stress as possible for the baby or child. During the first several weeks following placement the more regular parents can keep the schedule and the better they understand the child’s likes and needs the easier it will be for the baby or child to transition.
For more information about Transitions:
- Getting Ready For Your Child’s Arrival
- Adoptive Parents WAIT!
- Starting you Child’s LifeBook
- Planning For Transition
- When Travel Is Required
- Transition of Siblings Anna’s Story
- From Orphanage or Institution to Home
- From Foster to Forever in the Some Home
- Toddler Transitions
photo credits for this article: 
(no use restrictions)
Special Needs and Adoption-Related Terms:
A | B | C | D | E-F | G-H-I | J-K-L | M | N-O | P | Q-R | S | T-U-V-W-X-Y-Z
For more information about parenting special needs children you might want to visit the Families.com Special Needs Blog and the Mental Health Blog. Or visit my personal website.