Traveling to India with a baby or toddler

India with baby

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Indian man kneels next to a toddler in India

Traveling to India with a baby or toddler. 

India gives you the chance to experience a bit of luxury and actually get a vacation in – instead of settling for a trip simply because you have children. The affordable hotels, dining, fantastic service, family-friendly culture, and easy access to quality childcare make India a really GREAT destination choice for traveling with babies and toddlers.

That said, it can be challenging in some ways compared to other countries to get around with a baby or toddler in tow which is why I wanted to write this guide. I first moved to India when my twins were 10 months old and stayed here through their toddler years. After living in India 3 years, I moved away only to move back a few years later. It’s now home once again! Now I have a third baby in addition to my older twins. I’ve lived in both the North and South of India, while also traveling throughout the country so I have had varied experiences. 

Kid-friendly mocktails served poolside in Goa. Later that day, a hotel sitter took my kids to the on-site playground for an hour (at a very affordable rate) while I went for a massage.

When I travel in India, I usually stay in nicer hotels and resorts so I can’t really speak to backpacking or hostels. I personally wouldn’t recommend that route with small children in India anyway. There are however fabulous glamping sites in India which I have absolutely loved, but you should seek out a well-reputed one. Regardless of where you’ll be staying, or how you choose to travel, most of this information should be helpful.

You have to take the good with the bad here. In a lot of ways, things are much easier, but in other ways, it can be much more challenging logistically. Here are a few tips for getting around India smoothly with your little one(s). 

Transportation

Car seats in India are rare. They are readily available for purchase these days but I still recommend that you bring your own. If you feel your car seat will be too heavy to carry over, you can consider purchasing an affordable lightweight one specifically for travel. [If your car seat was purchased in the US or Canada you will need a locking clip, European ones have them built in]. I recommend hiring a car and driver for your entire stay in each city where possible. If not possible use your hotel car or their recommended service.  Don’t try to drive on your first (or 3rd) trip here – there’s a reason most tourists AND locals hire a professional. When planning your trip, plan to fly between cities instead of driving. The roads can be rough and the rest stops far between. 

I don’t take the metros on a day-to-day basis. Metro stations vary from dingy and overwhelmingly crowded to beautiful, modern, and clean. If you want to take a train, search the route to get reviews online. India is now home to many new, clean, and beautiful trains, but you should check 1st to see if that is the one you are getting. For long trips, sleeper cabins are available, and a lot of people love these. I personally prefer to fly with toddlers to keep the travel time short.

Strollers

Sidewalks can be damaged, uneven, or nonexistent. I’ve managed to walk around everywhere from Delhi to the beaches in Sydney with my eco-friendly all-terrain stroller but for sure leave that umbrella stroller at home – or just plan to use it indoors or at certain places. For tourist sites, check online to see if it’s stroller-friendly before you head out. Most of the time an all-terrain stroller is perfect, but sometimes there are too many stairs. If feasible for you, a baby carrier is the best way to go. I use an Ergo carrier most of the time because it’s very comfortable and can be used from 7 lbs and up without a hot, bulky insert. When I travel, however, this is my go-to carrier because it folds up so compactly! 

Mother poses with baby on her back in Jaipur, India
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Online shopping/Amazon

Yes! India has Amazon – with one and two-day deliveries so if you forgot something or need to buy diapers, baby food, snacks, or formula they can deliver to your hotel. The front desk will usually bring it up for you. Also, check out Swiggy (app) for food deliveries! Not just prepared food but groceries, bakery deliveries, etc. Choose cash on delivery if you don’t have Google Pay. You can also call the hotel concierge and ask if they can send someone to the pharmacy to pick something up for you if you fall sick – they’ll send a Dr too if needed. 

Best diapers in India

Babies use pull-ups here as soon as they’re out of the infancy stage so that’s all you’ll find. At first, I couldn’t figure out how they changed dirty diapers without a huge mess but then I realized you’re supposed to tear the side when removing the diaper. It seemed so obvious as soon as I did it! 

The best diapers in India (I’ve tried them all) are Pampers Premium. I actually prefer them to diapers in the US now. You’ll need to know your baby’s weight in kilos to know which size to buy. For wipes I like Huggies brand, they are the same formulation as in the U.S. They are scented but it’s mild and non-irritating. 

For baby shampoo, lotion, etc. there is a natural brand here called Mama Earth, they make a great travel pack for all the baby essentials. 

Changing tables

Changing tables isn’t really a thing here. You won’t find one anywhere in the country unless you’re in a play cafe, higher-end mall, nice theater, or another very family-friendly venue. I’m not entirely sure how other moms do things but I’ll tell you what I do. I find a private corner recline the stroller seat all the way, pull down the sunshade, and change my baby in the stroller seat. If you are in a very public area, you can ask a security guard if there is somewhere private to change them, sometimes you’ll get lucky and they’ll let you in a restricted area for a few minutes. Once my toddlers were around 18 months, I could take them to the restroom with me and change them standing up too if bathrooms were nice. 

Potty-Trained toddlers

Whenever I travel anywhere with my potty-trained toddler I bring this foldable seat cover. It works on most toilets that I’ve tried in India but not all because some are shaped just a bit differently. Usually, I just keep it for the hotel room so they can be comfortable.

If you find yourself somewhere a hygienic restroom is just not going to happen with a potty-trained toddler, well, it can be challenging. I actually carry diapers around for mine and in the event of an “I can’t hold it” and there are only disgusting bathrooms around type emergency, I slip it on, have them go in the diaper, and then take it off immediately after. I’ve only done this a few times but it sure beats any alternatives I could think of. They make travel potty training seats, but I feel the diaper is often more discrete. For boys, they can stand and go usually but for older girls and myself, we use these…. erm ….devices so we can stand and go too. I keep two in my diaper bag always along with some tissues. 

Baby Formula in India

If you need to buy baby formula in India, Enfamil is available at just about every pharmacy or you can order it online.

Baby food while traveling in India

You can easily buy baby food in India online (See Big Basket) or in stores (Look for Food Hall, World Market, or anything with the word “Hypermarket” in it). In hotels and restaurants, they will usually accommodate special requests such as mashing fruits and vegetables. Know that toddlers are often offered free desserts when out to eat. A few times my babies were offered food that was a choking hazard for their age like a small chocolate ball so you can either eat the dessert yourself or politely decline in that case.

Snacks for toddlers in India

I do recommend bringing some of your little one’s favorite snacks from home because that’s what they know and love. Packaged toddler food is usually less expensive. They also often incorporate more ancient grains and millets. There are several great local options as well. My kids love Happa Super Puffs, zookers – healthy toddler cookies, Anything Timios makes, and Indian Kishmish raisins.

Hotels in India

Hotels in India go SO far above and beyond for guests. If you leave your laundry all over the room, they will pick up and fold it all. They will also send housekeeping to clean up after your toddler eats their third snack of the day and leaves crumbs all over the room. When I first moved to India, I was in a hotel for 2 months. I called housekeeping 2ce a day to clean up after our meals – my babies were very messy eaters at that time but they were very happy to help. You can also ask hotels to reserve a table in the corner for you each morning at breakfast so fewer people pass by your table if your kids are feeling inundated with extra attention. Trust me, the breakfast buffets in India are not to be missed! If you have a food intolerance or allergy they are a dream!

Toddler walks on hotel grounds in Goa India.

Bath Water

Many higher-end hotels these days actually have tap water that you can drink. I don’t trust it for everyday drinking (which is fine because they also provide unlimited free bottled water) but it’s really nice to have if your baby is in the swallowing bath water phase. If your hotel does not have potable water and you are worried about your baby ingesting the water, a quick shower is a better option. Recently a lot of hotels have shifted to bottled water in reusable glass bottles. These are safe for drinking. If any concern call the front desk. 

Washing Bottles

Use bottled water to wash all of your baby bottles, pacifiers, etc. I don’t like the baby dish soap here so I brought my own from the US. I also brought a travel bottle cleaning set along but you could easily pick something up here as well. Many hotels will actually wash and/or sterilize bottles for you – some even have sterilization machines. I tried the washing service (I don’t sterilize bottles) but they kept missing the air valves so I preferred to wash them myself. I generally start washing with tap water but do the final rinse with filtered or bottled water. That’s just for bottles and sippy cups where I tend to be extra cautious. For plates, bowls, etc tap water is fine to wash with – just be sure it is completely dry before using again.  

Cribs in Indian Hotels

Some hotels have older-style cribs – you know the ones they don’t sell anymore in other countries with the wide bars for the baby heads to get stuck in? Email your hotel beforehand and ask them to send you an image of the crib so you know if you need to bring your own pack-and-play or not. You can also buy pack and plays here online or at a baby shop such as First Cry. 

Childcare in India

Babysitting is very affordable in India, most hotels provide babysitting services on-site. I have had so many great experiences with babysitting in Indian hotels. I also had one bad experience so it’s very important to vet the sitter before leaving your child – click here to see questions to ask the hotel and sitter before heading out. My preference is to always have the babysitter watch my toddler in the kids’ club – you have to hire a separate sitter due to their age but they can use the space with older kids. 

Nannies in India 

You can find a temporary full or part-time nanny during your stay. I recommend asking in an expat group on Facebook if they know of anyone between jobs. Nannies can also act as your translator should the rare need for one arise but typically English is enough. 

Food safety while traveling

Food safety is a concern, especially for children under the age of 6. I highly recommend you read this post before your trip but if you are short on time at least remember to stick with well-reviewed restaurants where you can eat pretty much anything. Pro tip: Download the Zomato app and stick to restaurants rated 4.0 or higher. Otherwise, you can stick to only well-cooked foods or fresh fruits and veggies that you wash, cut, and peel yourself. In general, you have to be more careful in north India than in the south. If your street food meal seems too cheap (less than 100 rupees) it probably is. Always err on the side of spending more in India. 

Toddlers drink from a coconut

Breastfeeding in India

Breastfeeding is fairly well accepted in India but not as widely as in the West and most women do prefer to either nurse in a private area or they use a cover. Although India has very progressive maternity leave laws that relate to breastfeeding, there is no legal protection for public nursing. Now that doesn’t mean you can’t or shouldn’t nurse your baby in public I’ve personally done it many times, without a cover. It’s just not legally protected which means if a restaurant owner asks you to cover up you can pitch a fit, tell them it’s ridiculous, etc. but then, in the unlikely event they don’t back down, you’d either need to comply or leave the premises. I’ve never actually heard of this happening but I know it must happen here because it still happens in the US where it IS legally protected. I’ve seen women breastfeed openly with and without covers when out and about, I have done the same. A few weeks ago I saw a woman breastfeeding on the back of a moving moped – not all superheroes wear capes am I right? In malls, hospitals, and other large public venues, there is almost always a baby care lounge with comfy chairs for you to privately nurse your baby, I think it’s because of that convenience that I’ve never seen anyone breastfeed in a mall before.

Play cafes

Ok, play cafes are amazing and at least where I live in the nation’s capital of New Delhi and surrounding areas of Noida and Gurgaon, they are very popular. The mall closest to my house has 3! Play cafes are half restaurants and half play areas. Most are geared toward younger kids (around ages 1-6). They’re even staffed – the idea is that you can eat in peace, chat with friends or get some work done while your kids run around, play dress up, or play with developmentally appropriate toys. I have no idea why this hasn’t caught on in the West and I have half a mind to open one up myself. Make sure you visit one during your trip to India. Click play on the video below to see a few different play cafes around town. Sadly they are not popular everywhere in India. Here in Bangalore, they are nonexistent but there are a lot of very cool indoor play areas! 

Historical sites

Safety can be a concern at historical sites. Most sites have been preserved as they were built so that means no railings have been added to stairwells or plexiglass added to gaping holes in the walls three stories up. It is up to you and only you to keep your little one safe. I used to use these on occasion when I was out in more dangerous sites with my kids so they didn’t accidentally run out a doorway and fall three stories. 

Baby learns to walk in historical site. New Delhi, India

Stray dogs and wild monkeys

We have a rule in our family that you can look at but not touch any animal without first being invited by an adult. That adult can be me once I assess a stray is friendly. My kids love to say “Hi” to the local animals who usually ignore them entirely in return. Both monkeys and stray dogs can carry diseases and can be aggressive if provoked, startled, or if you’re holding food, so use caution. Some strays are quite friendly. You will notice some strays wear collars. These are often dogs cared for by their community humans and are often very friendly, even protective of children they run into. Animals here are pretty used to the presence of humans though and most often will choose to do their own thing.

Saying hi to a local stray dog in Kerala

All the extra attention

Indian people, in general, LOVE kids. Kids here get extra attention and touching (pats on the head, cheek, etc.) If your kid would stand out in a crowd here you might get a bit more attention ….. sometimes you might get a LOT more attention, particularly at tourist sites. Most particularly at tourist sites in Jaipur, I am not sure what the deal is but the attention in Jaipur is more than we have received anywhere else. The good news is that there is not a huge language barrier here so communicating that your baby isn’t liking it or saying “Please no touching” is a pretty simple thing to do. I often blurt out “Not the face!” which is met most often with amusement and an apology. 

Touching

This can be challenging because, on the one hand, you want to respect the culture you’re in, and on the other, your baby or toddler may not respond well to unwanted touching. You also might want to prevent strangers from touching your baby since their immune systems are still developing. In general, Indians are very respectful and will back right off without being offended after you ask them to stop. If you need to address a handsy stranger further, stay friendly, repeat that they don’t like touching, and put your whole body between them and your child. If there seems to be a language barrier put your hand up like you’re telling someone to stop. Sometimes, locals will want to take selfies with your child. Unlike many other countries that I have visited, in India, they almost always ask your permission first. I often tell people “not right now” because it sounds nicer than no, but it’s pretty unlikely that they’re going to see you again later. Other times we take the selfie, it just depends on what we have going on, if my toddler is okay with it, etc. If you’re really lucky, someone might ask you to hold THEIR baby to take a photo with.

Two Indian women smile at baby crawlking around in Gurgaon, India

Staring in India

Part of getting extra attention is getting stared at. If you have older kids I would explain to them that they are staring because they are different and find them interesting. I often find myself staring at the 20 people crammed into one tuk-tuk. It’s not that I mean any harm by it. I just can’t believe they all fit in there! It’s amazing. For babies going through the stranger danger phase, it can even be traumatic for them. My son would shut down, tuck his chin to his chest, and just start crying. It was a horrible thing to watch keeping him in a baby carrier, sitting in corners of restaurants, and notifying waiters (who were very often the ones staring) of his “shyness” helped a lot. On the other hand, my daughter loved all the extra attention so we went with it. You’ll find what works for you. 

Mother holds toddler in Jaipur, India while the crowds around them pay no attnetion.
Some of the time, we go out and it looks like this. As you can see, people don’t care and barely notice a foreigner is hanging around.

If they are getting a lot of unwanted attention, It might help to have your kids wear hats at tourist sites. Not just blonde kids, all kids. Locals largely prefer to come and discuss my brunette daughter’s “silky hair” over my son’s blonde hair. In general, you will get a lot more attention at tourist sites and in rural areas. Everyday living, walking around big cities – that’s a completely different story. While I get more stares here in malls I get stopped for conversation in the US way more (every 4th person in the US wants to know if my kids are twins) so for us, it was an easier transition. 

Man pushes a stroller in India while passerby's stare at the kids.
Other times, it’s more like this. Can you spot the three people all staring at the kids? This was in Jaipur.

If you ever feel uncomfortable because the staring has become more of creepy leering, feel free to give a dirty look back, say Hi, ask a guard for help, or just be blunt and tell them to stop. I mean, some people will never know that they are being inappropriate unless someone lets them know and other people just have unfortunate resting faces. Use your instincts and protective emotions (fear, anger, etc.) that come with those instincts to do what you’re comfortable with. 

I had one man staring at me in a very creepy way while I was out and about with my kids. I tried staring back, dirty looks and even putting my hands up as if to say “What?!?” but nothing stopped this man from staring. I was waiting for my driver so this went on for more than 10 minutes. My instincts told me something was off and not to approach (he was a ways away) even though normally I have no issue confronting people. There weren’t any security guards around at the time, normally there are and you can just talk to them. I took out my phone and as obviously as possible, took a photo of him. I then made a phone call to my driver to see how close he was. The man probably thought I was calling the police and finally walked away. That was the worst experience I have had to date. After 3.5 years of living here. So hopefully, if you’re on a short trip, it doesn’t happen to you at all. I have had a similar experience in Australia as well but the man was leering at and filming my child instead of me which was way worse. 

Vaccines needed to travel to India

Never accept a blogger’s advice when it comes to which specific vaccines are required for travel. Most of us aren’t doctors and vaccine information can change. Check here for information on vaccines needed before visiting India and then speak with your child’s pediatrician. Be sure to tell them which specific areas you will be visiting because that most likely will mean fewer vaccines are required.

Hand Sanitizer

Keep an alcohol-based hand sanitizer on you at all times. I took a Costco-sized pack of individual Lysol wipes with us when we moved which comes in handy to carry around. (These are also amazing for travel in general)  Just be sure it completely drys before your little one touches their face … or sucks on their fingers.

Mosquitos in India

Mosquitos here can do more than give you an itchy bump, they carry and transmit dengue and other diseases. They are also out all day long too, not just after dusk. I normally love natural remedies but that is assuming some level of effectiveness. When it comes to tropical, disease-carrying mosquitos, Deet is your best friend. It is safe for babies 2 months and up. On the other hand, natural repellents containing oils such as eucalyptus or lemon oil are only safe once your child is three years old. I’ve also tried several natural brands of lotions, sprays, and stickers myself and the mosquitoes were not phased at all.

There is one brand here in India that contains DEET. You can buy it online but the sprayer is not very good, it leaks a ton and smells terrible. I import these from the US to use which contains 15% Deet. I tried a brand containing 7% but found it to be ineffective here. I also really love these wipes (picardin is as effective as DEET) because they are so small and easy to carry around! Be sure you know how to correctly apply DEET based bug spray. I always give a bath after an evening outside to wash off all the residue before bed.

What to wear in India

In general, dress for your comfort and for the weather. Shopping locally is always a great idea because the fabrics sold here are designed for the climate, not to mention they are super comfy and cute. To read my full guide on how to dress in India, click HERE.

Pollution in India

I was so afraid of the pollution levels in India before moving here and, it’s true it does get bad – really bad…. in the north that is. However, it’s not an issue year-round and air purifiers are amazing at removing toxins from the air. Anti-pollution face masks are great for outdoor activities. Vog Masks are the local expat’s brand of choice and they do make them in child sizes but they are really hard to find post covid. You can try these if for 4+. Face masks are not recommended for young toddlers or babies, check with your pediatrician before using on an older toddler. The best thing to do is to plan your visit when air pollution is not a major issue. Karnakata or Kerala, for example, does not struggle with the same air quality issues as other part of the country. Here in Bangalore, I can leave my windows open all day long most days of the year!

The best time of year to visit India

It’s important to plan your visit at the right times, especially when traveling with kids because you need to avoid pollution and extreme heat if you want to enjoy the outdoors. The best time to visit most of India is February-April and August-October. (Click here to read the full guide to when to visit India, which is broken down by region.) Most people say September-October but I love August in Delhi. It’s still monsoon season so you get clear skies and clean air. It’s still very warm and humid but not as hot as the other summer months.

Sun peaks through the clouds on a tea plantation in Munnar, India
Beautiful, Clear skies in Munnar, India during the month of November.

November is the absolute worst time of year to visit because the air pollution is horrible, if you can help it, do not bring your little one to visit unless you’re heading to South India. Summers in many parts (May- mid-July) are also hard because it is unbearably hot. Babies cannot regulate their body temperatures the way adults can so you really wouldn’t be able to see the sights with them without risking heatstroke.

Shopping in India

Be sure to take the time to shop in India, particularly for clothing early on in your trip. My favorite brands for Indian kid’s clothing are Fab India and Anokhi. They have (adorable) lightweight, breathable pieces of cotton that are perfect for Indian weather. There are also several markets where you are able to buy directly from local vendors. For tips on Haggling in India click here. Your baby or toddler will be able to wear what you buy here back home too!

Mother and twin toddlers walk around in Goa wearing traditional Indian clothing
How cute are their Indian outfits?!?

Did I miss anything? If you have any burning questions about traveling in India with a baby or toddler feel free to ask in the comments below!

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22 COMMENTS

  1. Great! I would guess that touching, staring and all that extra attention you get when travelling with kids might be one of the biggest challenges in India. Because I know how tiring it gets after some time when you are alone, since it’s hard to be alone for even a short moment, let alone when you are travelling with a kid…

    • Yes, it can be challenging but thankfully it’s not an everyday occurrence in big cities. My kids are old enough to tell strangers “no touch” now too, they manage it all themselves at this point. So really, it’s been a great lesson in assertiveness 🙂

  2. I’m really loving your blog, especially all the info on New Delhi with kids. We are stopping over there in February with a 3.5 year old and a 9 month old. I’m really looking forward to exploring and by reading your blog have become a bit less scared too…. Do you know if there is a map of the play cafes?

    • That’s great! There are many play cafes in Delhi. Google maps should pull them up for you. Fab cafe (inside of the the Fab India Vasant Kunj) is especially popular where you can shop a bit too while your kids play.

  3. This is such a great article! I am planning to go to several places in India like New Delhi, Lucknow and Pune with my 4 month old baby and I will be staying there for 2-3 months. Even though I am an Indian, I have been living in Canada for last 7 years and this is my first child and his first travel ever!. I am so scared to travel with him because first, he is still very young and his vaccinations still doesn’t cover everything (I will be going to travel clinic prior to traveling) and second, even I am used to so many facilities and public amenities now that managing without clean public toilet without changing table will be the toughest thing. Believe me when I say, I cringe while changing him in Costco washroom. You can imagine how hard it will be for me to change him anywhere public in India.
    The touching part was a great point to bring forward. We will be meeting so many relatives and all of them will touch him without sanitizing their hands. I will be carrying hand sanitizer everywhere but some elders might take it offensively too but I am not going to care as I have to take care of my little one whose immunity is still not developed.

    • I’m sure you will have a great trip! I will say that many of the bathrooms here in Delhi are MUCH cleaner than your average Costco ones because they actually have dedicated attendants who literally clean the stall after each person. Of course, not all restrooms have this service and there are plenty of germy bathrooms to go around, it all just depends on where you go. The baby care rooms in big malls are also usually quite nice. The problem I had is that outside of the big malls, there are no changing stations in the restrooms, which is a problem I’ve run into in many parts of the world actually. So anyway, that’s why I just changed them right in the stroller or in the car – car trunks make for great changing spaces. You have to just take the good with the bad, but trust me, there is a lot of good! Enjoy your trip. I hope you’ll let me know how it goes!

  4. Great blog, thank you!

    We’re thinking of taking our two boys to Gujarat at the end of December. At the time of visiting one will be 4 years old and the other 4 months old. Would you say this is a good time of year to go? Our main concern is disease carrying mosquitoes, especially Dengue. Are we being overly paranoid? Thanks!

    • Apologies for the delay, I was on leave while we went through another international move! I know this advice is not reaching you in time but for what it’s worth, you are absolutely not being overly paranoid. Dengue is a real issue, while there is a mosquito season where they more active and you need to be extra cautious, my children wear mosquito repellant year-round! Both DEET and picaridin are incredibly effective and approved for babies over 2 months old. We go out ALL the time at dusk when there are plenty of mosquitos and as long as I cover exposed skin, we don’t get bit at all 🙂 Here is my favorite one: (affiliate link) https://amzn.to/2RSySUE

  5. Thanks for writing this up. I am also Indian but been in states for a long time now. My baby is 9 months old and I am worried sick about his sleeping situation. Where do I find a crib as per american standards? Even the mattress? If its impossible to get one, then probably we have to have him sleep in his pack and play. Everyone I know co-sleeps which I don’t do. I have anxiety for baby safety. Do you have any recommendations on brand names?

    • A lot of the hotels use pack-and-plays, which would be a safe sleeping situation assuming they don’t stuff it with bedding. The wooden cribs, not so much. I would definitely avoid for a baby and young toddler but did use them when my kids were older toddlers. You can email the hotel beforehand and ask for a photo of the cribs they use.

      Otherwise, you could bring your own pack and play if you already own one. I used to fit 2 inside one 1 suitcase. Alternately, you buy one from a local mall (check out the Mothercare store) and donate it before you leave, it would be put to good use!

  6. This is a great blog! My biggest questions/concerns were the actual flight itself and the food.

    How did you manage sleeping, entertaining the kiddos on a long overseas flight? And what do you do for jet lag?

    Our kiddo is used to Indian food and the flavors of the spices. We just use pepper sparingly. How did your kids manage the spicy food? And this may sound silly, but where do you buy milk as I’m not sure everywhere we will go we will have access to pasteurized milk.

    • So – milk is easy! Amul brand is pasteurized and available everywhere – even corner shops! If you are in need of a formula that can be bought at any local pharmacy. As you may know, Indian spicy is different than overseas spicy. We ask for things to be less spicy, or just say its for the kids and they automatically do it. Funny enough when my kids were babies they ate more spicy food than they do now. It has never been an issue because restaurants are very accommodating and everything is cooked to order so for my daughter these days we ask for zero spice (that’s a thing) as she doesn’t like it.

      From 18 months I did unlimited screentime on flights. Before that, we took baby toys and hoped for the best! I do carry Benadryl and Tylenol just in case but have never used it, so you could talk to your Pedi about that. I have used chamomile tea many times for red eyes to help get them sleepy, ask your dr but most say its fine to give after 6 months. I also use these inflatable footrests so Itoddlers can lay down and sleep (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/2GvxbqT Babies do best in a bassinet or car seat.

  7. Hello Dana. Thanks for these wonderful information. One of my biggest fear other than any illness is sleep transition when traveling to India. How did you do it?

    • Jet lag is tough but generally, I find kids often adapt better than adults. My best advice is to expose them to sunlight as soon as possible in the morning. If they don’t usually nap, keep it that way. If they usually nap I would add only 1 hour to the nap total. Put them to bed an hour or two early if needed.

    • Modified schedules help too, especially for short trips. If the natural tendency is to wake up early, embrace it and see more sunsets. Or if the tendency is to stay up late, let them! I have had great adventures with my kids at 10 pm while on holiday when back home they would have been fast asleep!

  8. Thanks for the valuable information and suggestions. This blog coverd almost all the points regarding how to handle things when we are traveling with a baby or toddler. Very useful for people who travel with a baby

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