Travelling To India With A Baby

If you are an avid traveller, then you probably have India slotted somewhere in your travel bucket list. India is one of those countries that will let you experience a mix of luxury and adventure. However, a lot of travellers may opt not to visit India just because they have a young family. Although their reservations may be somewhat valid, traveling to India with a baby is very possible, you just need to plan your travel itinerary ahead of time.

India is a very beautiful country, with beautiful people, culture and with a booming hotel and accommodation industry. You can also easily access quality childcare in many locations of the country. Although visiting India with a toddler is a bit more challenging than in many other countries, you can always find a way around this hurdle. We have put together 10 incredible tips to help you plan for that long-awaited trip to India.

1. Online Shopping

You are probably used to logging in to an online store and checking out some few baby supplies and within a few clicks, you are done. For instance, if you want to stock up on baby snacks, diapers or formula, you just log in to your Amazon account and checkout whatever essentials you want to buy.

The good news is that Amazon offers its services to India too! Therefore, in case you need anything, you just checkout and wait for your delivery in your hotel room. Your main concern could probably be how you are going to get the best diapers in India for your baby. The only thing you need to do is know your baby’s weight to know the best size to buy. You may need to know that people rarely use changing tables in India, so those could be a bit challenging to find. However, you can always find them in huge malls and play cafes.

2. Transportation

Many people don’t use car seats in India. It may be a very good idea to bring your own. If you don’t want the hassle of carrying it, you can always order more lightweight ones online. The best way to enjoy the local transportation system is to hire a car and a driver to chauffeur you around the city. You can also use Uber and Ola taxi apps in India. The metro stations are quite dingy and overcrowded in some cities. Always check for reviews online before choosing to use them. Another option is to use the local auto rickshaws occasionally. While your child will love the wind in their face, you need to be adept at haggling if you don’t want to over pay.

3. Baby Food and Snacks

Indian people also embrace baby food and that shouldn’t be much of a problem. You can choose to buy baby food in stores or order food online. When you are in hotels and restaurants, you can request the kitchen staff to make something suitable for your baby. In most cases, they will mash fruits and vegetables that will be very good for the baby. Furthermore, a baby formula like Enfamil is also readily available in local pharmacies.

When it comes to snacks, I highly recommend that you carry your own from home. Babies have a specific liking for some snacks because that is what they know and love. This will save you a lot of hassle. However, there are also many local options you can take advantage of and chances are your baby will love them. Some of the best local options include Indian Kishmish raisins, Happy Tummy’s Snack bars, ‘Zookers’ healthy toddler cookies and raw banana chips among others.

4. Childcare in India

Childcare in these parts of the world is quite affordable. You will be glad to know that many hotels in India offer childcare services like babysitting on-site. In most cases, the services offered are amazing. However, you may want to carry out some due diligence by vetting the sitters before trusting to leave your baby in their care.

5. Breastfeeding

In most parts of India, breastfeeding is fairly accepted but not as much as it is in most parts of the west. In these regions, a lot of women prefer to nurse their babies in private. The country has some progressive leave laws concerning breastfeeding.

However, no provision explicitly protects you for public nursing. This is not to mean that you can’t do it. I have seen many people do it. It is just that breastfeeding is not legally protected. In case a restaurant owner asks you requests you to cover up, you may consider complying or leaving.

6. Play Cafes

Play cafes are very popular in the country’s capital, New Delhi. The closest mall to the city has three of them. These play cafes are staffed and are mostly suitable for kids between the age of one and six. If you want some quiet for some time, you can always visit a play café with your baby and let the babyy run around, play with the developmentally appropriate toys or play dress up. These are very nice places to visit and the idea should really catch up in other parts of the world too.

7. Vaccines

Many different bloggers have different opinions on the type of vaccines you require when traveling to India. I would advise against following such opinions because most of these bloggers are not medical practitioners. Click here for more information on the kind of vaccines you need before you head to India and also seek the advice of your baby’s pediatrician.

8. Best Time to Travel

Knowing the best time to travel to India, especially with babies is very important. Knowing the best time to travel to India will help you know when you need to avoid extreme heat or pollution for your kids to enjoy the outdoors. In most cases, the best time to visit the country is always from August to October and February to April. Therefore, plan your trip around these months for the best vacation experience.

9. Historical Sites

When visiting historical sites, safety is always a major concern. Many of these sites have no railings because most of them are preserved. The safety of your child when visiting such sites is always up to you. However, you can always take measures to keep yourself and the baby safe. For instance, using a baby safety harness can be very helpful.

10. Hotels

Just like many other hotels, the staff there always go above and beyond to make sure that you are happy with your stay there. They always offer housekeeping to keep your room clean and tidy all the time. You don’t have to worry about the mess your baby leaves behind every time. You can schedule housekeeping times yourself. You can always reserve a corner table too for meals so that you and your baby have a good time during meals. You cannot miss their breakfast buffets!

Conclusion

There are many other tips you can take advantage of to make your trip to India worthwhile. This may not be exhaustive but it will go a long way in making your travel experience a little bit less tedious and a lot more fun!

Author Bio:

Shobita Ravichandran

Editor in Chief

https://www.buybabybuy.in

Shobita is a mum of two beautiful girls. Initially when her first little bundle of joy arrived, she was far from prepared. She didn’t know the first thing about caring for a newborn.

Over time, and with the help of a massive support system of family and friends (and the occasional unsolicited advice), she learnt lessons on what to do, what to avoid, and what she would do differently the next time.

As a young mum living in a big city, she has been extensively researching the best baby products for her children. Now, she would like to share this knowledge and wisdom with you, to take at least a little bit of parenting stress away.