I think the answer to your question really depends on your comfort-level. I'm the type who researches baby products before buying--even toys! So if I know what I want, that's the item I want to get. I don't like to settle. Chicco and Prima Pappa baby products (including high chairs) are ubiquitous. There are many baby shops in Doha but I find the selection to be rather limited (compared to what I'm used to back home). You can find baby products at Mothercare, babyshop, and Toys R Us. I don't know how it is in the U.K. but I found most bulky baby products to be at least 25-50% more expensive. I had a Fisher Price high chair that I loved but had to give it up before coming out here. I found a similar model at Toys R Us but it was 50% more expensive. So I ended up ordering the same model online because it was actually cheaper.
When when it came to carseats, I knew that I wanted a Britax Marathon. Not knowing whether I would find one in Doha, I bought one. Since we bought a plane ticket for our son, we were able to use our car seat on a U.S. carrier. However, when we switched to Qatar Airways, the car seat was too big. We were told that typically, that leg is flown by a larger jet which would've accomodated a car seat of that size. Due to last minute maintenance issues, they had to switch out the plane.
So it depends on your comfort level. The selection will be limited and you may be paying a lot more. If your baby will be big and old enough to be a convertible car seat, then buy one before coming out. But if the baby's still in an infant carrier, then buy one after you come out. If you're having your household goods shipped, then by all menas, bring a high chair, too, if you know what you want.
Hi Manoalia,
I think the answer to your question really depends on your comfort-level. I'm the type who researches baby products before buying--even toys! So if I know what I want, that's the item I want to get. I don't like to settle. Chicco and Prima Pappa baby products (including high chairs) are ubiquitous. There are many baby shops in Doha but I find the selection to be rather limited (compared to what I'm used to back home). You can find baby products at Mothercare, babyshop, and Toys R Us. I don't know how it is in the U.K. but I found most bulky baby products to be at least 25-50% more expensive. I had a Fisher Price high chair that I loved but had to give it up before coming out here. I found a similar model at Toys R Us but it was 50% more expensive. So I ended up ordering the same model online because it was actually cheaper.
When when it came to carseats, I knew that I wanted a Britax Marathon. Not knowing whether I would find one in Doha, I bought one. Since we bought a plane ticket for our son, we were able to use our car seat on a U.S. carrier. However, when we switched to Qatar Airways, the car seat was too big. We were told that typically, that leg is flown by a larger jet which would've accomodated a car seat of that size. Due to last minute maintenance issues, they had to switch out the plane.
So it depends on your comfort level. The selection will be limited and you may be paying a lot more. If your baby will be big and old enough to be a convertible car seat, then buy one before coming out. But if the baby's still in an infant carrier, then buy one after you come out. If you're having your household goods shipped, then by all menas, bring a high chair, too, if you know what you want.