Hi Moms,

I'm back after my 2 weeks India trip. The trip was good and hectic. I enjoyed my brother's wedding and we had naming ceremony for Shalika, first hair-cut(not mundan). I hv to get her a good hair cut here and I can pierce her ears now.

The trip was not very good on my daughter's health. She had terrible ear pain during take off and landing. She was not ready to drink, just kept crying until the plane reached the desired altitude(almost for 20 minutes). I felt miserable and helpless. Please get the ear drops(the one I got from India was not working on the way back) or drowsy medicine from your doctor before flying.

Emirates was good, only if you book bassinet seat for your baby. They gave a toy(not in all planes) and baby food(their choice of brand-we didn't use it), but no diapers and formula(may be u hv to ask-I didn't). The plane and toilet was clean so I was fine.

Weather was rainy at my place, rained alomst every day. She was totally clingy to me, not ready to go to anybody, but kept her good mood all the time. We travelled a bit there, may be that caused the problems. Shalika got cold and runny nose by the end of first week. She got mosquito bites(in spite of all-out) which became bigger in size by next day. We took her to the doctor there, got some tonic and cream for that. Thank God it helped her. Then she got cough along with mild diarrhoea. I was giving her dimetapp and later T-minic(given by Indian doctor). She kept crying for 1 hr on the drive back from airport to our house here NJ. Next morning I took her to the doctor and discovered that she had got an ear infection and mild fever. She is on antibiotics and tylenol now, along with prescription cold and cough medicine and ear drops.

My poor baby has lost her chubby cheeks and lost some weight and looks like a weak indian baby with mosquito bite marks. I feel like crying loudly. Now I'm back to work I wish she regains her charm and weight soon before her first b'day.

Things that I want to tell moms who travel to india with ur baby:
Take some good ear drops/drowsy medicine for take off and landing. I saw some babies didn't hv any problems during take off and landing.
Take some covering cotton clothes for night time.
Take enough cold/cough medicine.
If possible take some mosquito cream safe for baby's skin.
Take your regular dishwahing liquid(I hate the one they hv, it spoilt her bottles and leaves residues after washing/sterilizing).
Don't forget your bottle brush(I forgot).
Take Playtex nurser with pre-formed liners. It was a lifesaver for me.
She just didn't want to wear Indian clothes(designed and non-knit ones) so take all sorts of clothes from here.

Thatz all about my India trip.
Take Care moms and love to all little ones,
CK

Happy First Birthday to Yashvita...
Whose b'day is next? Moms, could you please post a note few days before your baby's b'day??? tina replied. hi ck,

I hope she feels better here soon. god, i am a little scared. I am worried about the mosquito bites too... n e wz i'll take the off spray from here, will ask dr if it's okay. thanks for your advice on drowsy medication, will ask dr. We are going to india in jan.

krishna's b'day falls on Nov 28th :) How about shalika's?

take care and love to shalika,
tina :) sumana replied. Hello ck,
I am sure you would be glad to get back with shalika not feeling well throughout her stay in India. 2 weeks is a short time for them to adjust and get used to things. Things will get better for her, don't worry. Thanks for all the minute details. It really helps. will keep it in mind. I will be leaving to India on the Nov 30th and coming back on the dec 30th.
This is a big month for all the nov born kids. My daughter divya's bday falls on the 21st. Wishing all the little ones a very happy first year bday.
Sumana vk replied. Sorry to hear about Shalika's problems. I am flying on the 7th of Dec for a 3 week visit. WIll keep your tips in mind. WHo is watching Shalika while you are at work?

-vk