Travelling to India with Infants

1. Do I need to buy a baby carrier (for flight & general travel)
2.Which dress is easier for feeding in flight?(I am BFing her)
3.Tips to sooth her in flight(esp during take off & landing)
4.will stroller be helpful?(If I go out some where)
5.What to do for mosquito bites?
6. How to protect the same??
7. Howz the climate now?
8.Going for stamping Can I take her inside the consulate?
More questions later...

Thanks for taking time to read & answer. Some Q may seem dumb but really worried. Anyways I will meet her pediatrician next week so after that I think I will relieved little bit.

Dhivya

Hey Dhivya,
Looks like the trip is very soon. Are you going to celebrate Aditi's first bday in Chennai? Some answers for you:
1. Not sure. Hope experienced moms can help.

2. Unless you have a front-open salwar it will be easier with a top which can either be pushed up or has a flap of some sort for BFing. A towel should help to cover (with a salwar you can use the dupatta).

3. Feed during both - it will help to equalize the pressure in the ear with outside pressure and prevent discomfort.

4. Strollers are only good for major mall shopping as far as Chennai is concerned. Unless of course your ILs live in one of those rare places in Chennai which have wide traffic-free roads! A lightweight umbrella - type one may be good for shopping (and also the airport??)

5. & 6. Prevent mosquito bites by closing windows/doors after 6 pm, use AllOut or similiar repellent, apply repellent on arms/legs (I use Johnsons anti-mosquito lotion) and cover arms/legs with a sleepsuit at night. If you do allof the above and sleep in an AC room you can prevent 90% of bites. The odd mosquito will still sneak in and cant be helped. Dont worry abt the occasional bite - nothing will happen. You can apply calalmine to soothe bites.

7. Hot with some rain. You can expect it to get hotter in the next few weeks as summer has begun.

8. No idea.

Enjoy the trip and dont worry abt the small things.....

Vanathi.

Hello,

I think i can be of some help here ..........

1.In all the airports they do not allow strollers after some point(usually security check) so depending on your baby weight you can buy an umbrella stroller or the regular one. My kid was quite heavy and so v had to buy the regular one.
I have seen people carrying sling carriers but personally feel babies get crushed and suffocated.

2. You did not mention whether the dress for you or for the child. I assume it is for you. I suggest you to wear comfy clothing which you have been wearing all these days. The child should not all of a sudden find the change in your clothing. I wore a jacket cum sweat-shirt kind with full zip in front.It works 2-ways to protect from the cold as well as BF the baby.

3.Tips to soothe your baby cannot be generalised. Your baby might have some special toy or have the habit of listening to some rhyme etc depending on that you can decide. For takeoff/landing anyhow they suggest BF your baby. Some of my friends who bottlefed their babies trying giving water then.

4.The stroller which you get will be enough i assume. Anyhow roads in India (depends on the place where u r going) are not well-designed for the strollers.

5& 6.As someone already suggested, try keeping jet mats with the silver foil. Or buy the nets.

7.The climate is getting hotter in India as the summer has started.Keep the baby hydrated during flight as well as your stay in India. Try using bisleri water.

8.Undoubtedly, you can take her in the consulate. I had been to Chennai consulate with my 5 month baby. So i can guide you on that. They also allow baby food/flask/water etc but do not make the bag look too bulky.
Reg BFing the baby, once you reach the inner section where the consulate officer block is located, you have a seperate cubicle with 2 chairs and also a baby changing station. So not to worry...even if your baby starts crying while your turn comes, the CO either patiently waits or re-calls your number.

I hope this helps. You can count me for more.
Have a safe trip
HW

Vanathi

Thank u so much for ur detailed explanation.

HappyWoman

Thanks Thanks a lot. The consulate has been bugging me for a long time. Your answer helped a lot.

Few more Q:

1. Do I need sunscreen lotion for her?
2.How to help her with jet lag? for eg: sleeping, Feeding time(for rice & cereal)

I have noted down both of ur answers. Thanks guys.

Dhivya

I dont think you need to use sunscreen Dhivya. Just be sensible abt not going out during afternoons. I have no idea abt jetlag though.

V.

Thanks Vanathi.

I have been reading in lot of magazines abt using the sunscreen lotion. But was very confused. Thanks for clearing my doubt.

Dhivya.

Dear Dhivya

I am also planning to go to India when my baby will be 10 months old.Ur questions r really useful for me, looking forward for the answers. I will also try to post some questions as I dont have time to sit, think and write the questions.

Hi dsrini,

When I was travelling to India my kid was 9 months old. When we booked
the tickets, we requested for bassinet. So we were provided with bassient
after the take off. It was really helpful. We need not hold her when she was
sleeping. We can put her in the bassinet and we can also relax.
Due to the disturbance in her sleeping pattern, she was cranky some time.
I managed to read some pictured story books, giving some stuffed toys,and
singing to her.
In India also it was very difficult to manage because of the jet lag. She wakes
up at 2 am or 3 am and she was playing. So we also woke up .After 3 weeks she
got adjusted. Fifth week we have returned to US. Again in US same jet lag
problem. During the day time she slept, slept and slept. Night time especially
during mid night she woke up and was playing. It took again 2 weeks to adjust.
Anyway it was a different experience.

Hi!!!!!!!
Pls tell me all the essentials i need to carry when flying to US from India.My son is 10 months old.help me ladies how to manage the family in the first few days of arrival.also tips for international travel.

hi letss c