Travelling with Infant

Checklist for the flight

  1. Diapers - You'll need to change diapers atleast once in 3 hours to ensure the baby is comfortable
  2. Wet Tissues
  3. Foldable changing Pad
  4. Petroleum Jelly - Visit TSA website for restrictions
  5. Diaper Rash Cream
  6. Formula Feed/Breast Milk - You are allowed to take baby formula, breastmilk, juice, gel or liquid-filled teethers, canned, jarred, or processed baby food in your carry-on baggage and aboard your plane.  Pl check TSA website for more details . I carried unopened enfamil bottles and also carried with me disposable nipples. You can instead take disposable feeding bottles or drop-ins. You also get enfamil on-the-go which is powder formula and that comes in convenient travel size packs. You can always request the flight attendant warm water
  7. Do carry change clothes, sweaters, bibs, mittens and socks. I also carried tiny bottles of liquid baby soap, baby oil and baby lotion. I only used the baby lotion. Do not forget change clothes for you. Accidents always happen ;-)
  8. Carry cotton
  9. Do not forget medication. I carried infant tylenol, mylicon, motrin
  10. Strollers are very handy especially during stop-overs/flight changes.
  11.  

Things to do/remember

  1. Confirm with your travel agent if the airlines is providing a bassinet. Remember its on first come, first serve basis. You don't want to carry the baby on your lap all the time especially if you are on a long flight.
  2. Feed the baby/give him a pacifier during the take-off and landing. It eases the air-pressure.
  3. Cover the baby's ear. Take-off and landing get very loud and can startle the little one.

My Infant in India

When travelling with infant to India, check on the following important points:

1) Vaccination Schedule and availability.

I had to give 3rd dosage of rotavirus to my son and it was not available in India. So I had to go through the import procedure and had it administered on the right time. Also keep the vaccination card safe and updated.BCG vaccine is also recommended for children flying on and off to india/have plans to settle back in India. It should be given before child is 5 years old.

2) Children born in USA, travelling with PIO card:

All of us apply for some visa to get our baby to india. The best one I suggest for Indian passport holders is PIO (Person of Indian Origin) Card. There are certain rules for foreign nationals in India. First one is to get the PIO card registered with the local Police Commissioner's Office. Second is to intimate the office within 48 hours of departure, to a place within India, if stay is going to be for a longer period. Third, to intimate the Office 1 week before the date of travel outside India and get NOC from them.

3) Visiting relatives:

All of our kith and kin back home are eager to see the new born. I reached India Thursday night and whole Friday travelling in and around the city taking the new born. It was a painful experience for both me and my baby, but try to make them understand that you need to settle down and if possible, request them to visit you.

4) Choosing the pediatrician:

In India, antibiotics is so common and doctors don't hesitate to give it unlike USA. So make sure that the pediatrician you choose doesn't unnecessarily drug the baby.

5) Mosquitos and pollution unavoidable:

Try to minimize the mosquito bites and keep the child as much indoors to do away with pollution.

6) Infant items:

Name anything and we have it in India these days. Imported diapers, rash creams, infant formula,  etc. But make sure that they are available before you unload the extra weight.