I took my twins to India when they were 4 months old, we stayed there for 1 year with my family. Here are some of the things to keep in mind:

1. When visiting India, it matters which city/town you are visiting. The reason I say this is; my parents live in Delhi (that's where I stayed), we have everything available from wipes to diapers to rash creams to baby food etc (foreign as well as Indian brands). Make your plans once you know how big is the city you will be staying in (I am sure your husband can guide). Having said that, it would be a good idea to pack 20 - 30 days of supplies (diapers/wipes/baby food, cereal etc) so that while you all are settling down and trying to locate a super market you don't get stressed. If the city you are visiting is small, then do take your supplies such as diapers, rash cream, formula, Advil/Tylenol for the little one and other baby products you use on a regular basis. Do remember to pack sunscreen, India is hot in summers. Light cotton clothing is your best friend in summers.

2. As previous posters mentioned, every middle class family in India has a water purifier. I took extra precaution and boiled the water from the purifier for my kids use. Please do carry your own boiled water everywhere (I DO NOT TRUST BOTTLED WATER IN INDIA, too many tampering issues).

3. Your baby can eat regular Indian food which is not spicy e.g boiled rice with yogurt, boiled rice with lentils, fruit purees made from fresh fruit, fresh fruit chunks, cracked wheat porridge etc, plenty of cereals, oatmeal available in big-medium sized cities. There are tons of healthy, fresh food options available, typical Indian diet is simple but much superior because it's cooked fresh and from scratch.

4. Some really good baby stores are Mother care (I bought playback from there) Mom and Me, Chiccos, Benetton, Kids Planet (I am sure many more good ones I didn't frequent or can't remember). Mom and me carries everything from diapers to special detergents for kids clothes and bottles, bottle washing liquids (American brands) and what not.

5. My kids did not get sick even once, but I am not someone who takes kids to malls or other super busy places very often ( not at all before 6 months).

6. Finally - You are visiting family, I am sure they are very and are looking forward to your visit, Indians in general tend to be emotional and hugging types, even if you are not just go with the flow. You seem like a good person, make your plans/preparations but also keep an open mind and have a ton of fun. You will do just fine.

Hugs.

I took my twins when they were 2 and again at 6 and they are begging to go again. Neither of them got sick either time. They ate all the same food as everyone else (we just didn't eat raw fruits/vegetables with the skin on if we were out, but in relatives' homes we ate everything). I would get the recommended shots and have your child take the antimalarial pills (and take mosquito repellent), but generally there isn't that much to worry about as long as you're not drinking tap water. Drink either boiled water (at home) or the Bisleri bottled water. I do not think it's worth taking a lot of extra food (except perhaps for the plane trip). if given the chance your child will like much, or at least some, of the food. Not all of it is spicy and anyway, kids can eat spicy food if they have been introduced to it, so as you said, it's a good idea to introduce indian food now, before you go. You will have much more fun and your child will feel more at home if you take part in the culture, food, etc.

Take baby tylenol and motrin.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, you have already got some great advice. This trip will be easy, interesting, fun as long as you don't see Indian food and India as something "different, other, spicy". Precautions need to be taken, so I am not saying that you can act as though you are in the U.S. But not being terrorized by the differences and the precautions will really help your trip and your child's eventual attitude to India. I know this isn't really what you are asking. I am Indian and I have seen many American friends treat a trip to India as though they are going to some wasteland, and their attitudes influenced how the trip went. It is a complex interplay. It is worth thinking through because I am sure neither you nor your DH want your child to treat India like it is a horrible, scary place.

OP here - I want her to love India, I certainly fell in love with the country, especially the people, when I visited for the first time a few years back. I am just having severe anxiety about keeping her safe (sleeping and food in particular) and the lengthy travel to get there. I know so many adults that get ill, I can't imagine having an issue with a small child.

Again, really appreciate the wonderful advice received here, I feel a lot more confident that I can prepare us to have a safe and healthy trip so we can enjoy introducing her to her indian side of the family.

I posted earlier....I don't know what you mean by keeping her safe when sleep? You mean if she's in bed w/ you. You got some good suggestions already.

Re food: I just did a Google search and there is powdered Pedialyte--and equivalent--if packing some helps alleviate some worry. Also, go to ped and see if she will give you instructions on what to do and/or give you a general antibiotic to fill.

Anonymous wrote:Why hasn't your baby tried. Indian food yet if he/she is 1/2 Indian?? You seem very negative about going to India and exposing your child to it. I hope you don't demonstrate that attitude there. Odds are all your husband's family will be so thrilled to see you all and honored that you made the trip. I hope you don't hurt them with your attitude.

That is so obnoxious towards the OP and completely uncalled for. OP's attitude sounds just fine. I'm Indian and these are all things I think about before going to India. You are the one with a terrible attitude.

Diapers too!!!!!!!!!!

We went there last fall with our 3-year old and 20-month old.

We didn't bother with car seats. My youngest was so clingy that I held him a lot on the plane and in cars. Cars are not as big there and a car seat takes up so much space. Plus we rode in autos sometimes with them too.

Food: I brought some Gogo squeeze pouches and some Annie's Mac and cheese. But the kids were fine with fruit, cereal, dalia, chana, rice, rotis, etc. but they eat Indian food here too (just less spicy). My in-laws were so thrilled to have our kids there that they plied them with special foods all day long. When out, we didn't give them street food but just food from good restaurants.

Water: every middle class family has a good water purifier. We had no issues using filtered water, and dishes being washed in normal tap water.