Helle
I'm going to india with my twin babies in july and they are 10 months old.
Please advise me if i can have vaccination(chicken pox ) in india? If so where is the good, original shots can be taken?
Also where can find gerber and beechnut foods in chennai?
Please tell me ways to take care of child in india...i'm worried about their weight and i don't want them to lose weight or get sick or get into any troubles....pl. tell me what extra care and precautions to be taken while stay in india....
pl. tell me in what matters i should be careful...i have to start cow's milk after 1 year....if i start in india..will ihave problems there or after coming here....like milk allergies...i'm just afraid of it...pl. suggest me on that too...
also pl. tell me if i can take the stroller and car seat in the flight and also in the transit airport..
also tell me what best things i can buy for my babies in india in food and also in dresses and other things...
pl. advise and suggest.
thanks
regards
barathy. Smita replied. Hi, Barathy, I am smita. We took our son when he was 9 months old to Hyderbad. I had not givenhim chicken pox injection. But I took him to my pediatrician and asked what are the shots he recommends. I took jar foods for him and powder. My parents did not know anyplace I could get gerber in Hyd. He ate indian food. We took him everywhere we went. We ar egoing back again in Dec, he is 14 months now. I took a sit and stroll, 2 in one combo which was wonderful for us as it is Airlines approved. Are you going with anyoe, do you have separate seats. If you are going with anyone I would suggest trying to changethe seats soyou and the ohter person have one seat between u. That is what me and my husband did. are u stayingin Paris, we stayed , the problem in Paris is the distance you have to walk. I would really invest in sit and stroll, it is expensive but light weight, acts as a car seat and stroller all in one. If you are in the US, you can call me at 972-650-2198 Aarti replied. Hi Barathy,

Good luck for the trip. I hope you will have some help in the flight.

Chicken pox vaccine: When are you coming back to the US? If you are coming back soon, you can give it after you get back. Otherwise, you can go to any good pediatrician in Chennai who can do the same.

Milk: I suggest it is better to start whole milk after returning to the US. There is nothing wrong with the cow's milk in India but since they are so young it is better to wait. If they turn one in India you can start with US formula (available in India) or the Lactogen type. You can avoid the whole doubt about allergies. I gave my son Aavin type milk only after turning two. Until then it was Similac or Similac 2.

Similac/Enfamil and Gerber is available in many places - Amma Naana (near Adyar gate hotel), Maya Plaza in T. Nagar, naidu hall etc.

About gerber food: That type of food I personally preferred home made. I used to pressure cook fresh veges and fruits. In used Gerber during train or plane journey. But I only had one baby not twins! So you might find it convenient with Gerber. It is based on your convenience. For rice cereal, I used the Indian brands.

Clothes in India: I bought Viking banians, night wear, cotton kurta-pyjama sets, viking underwear, cloth diapers (if you want to use). All the clothes which my son wore at home in India were purchased there. There is no point in carrying from here. I used it and left it there because when you come back the season here would have changed and they will outgrow it for the next season. At 3, my son still wears Viking banians and underwear! All his summer nightwear is from India. The material remains in great condition even with US washers.

My favorite store is Children's Corner in Luz. They have great stuff. Even Naidu Hall has good stuff.

Precautions: I gave boiled aquaguard water for my son. Make sure you sterilize the bottles. After he turned one, you could try sippy cup or even tumbler. They are much easier to clean in the US or india.

Health: Depends on how much they will remain indoors. My son did not fall sick when we went during his 5th to 10th month. But when we went back at 18 months turned 1 1/2 he was moving around more and fell sick.

Most of the pediatricians in Chennai are very good. In my personal experience, the younger ones are slightly better in listening to the parents :-)

About stroller and car seat: You will have to check with your airline. The rules keep changing. But let me warn you, if you are taking Delta to Chennai via Paris. Paris airport will not give you the stroller in transit. This was the case until December 2005. It might have changed now.

Doctors in the US will frighten you about giving anti-malaria medicines. I have not given it to my son in all of his three trips. I have heard that the medicine is awful to take. If there are mosquitoes, take whatever precautions we normally use in India. Our good old Odomos is great and they've made it sweet smelling now. Avon in the US sells a cream called \";Skin So soft\";. It is a bug repellent for kids. You can take that if you want.

You can take some toys to keep them occupied in the plane. Otherwise don't take anything from here. Just buy Indian toys. Even the roadside Rs. 15-20 toys make the kids very happy. As long as they do not have detachable parts which your babies can swallow, the are fine.

I will write if I can think of anything else. take care, Aarti Disha replied. Hi Barathy ,

I am so happy for u...Indian trip will surely get u good rest as u have so many people to help u taking care of ur babies. How many months are u going for.
I just went to india and came . Make sure to book the bassinet(baby's bed) while you book for the airlines. You have to book in advance as they have to book it with the airline company.
Also take with you enough diapers,wipes,towels,medicines,extra dresses,jackets/sweaters etc.
I have heard that airlines take your stroller when you board in and give it back when you land . So its a better idea to take ur stroller . we had a tough time holding the baby and my carry bag + diaper as in transit you may have to walk a lot.
In india , you can get ragi powder,banana powder or any other baby food that are ground fresh and packed . Cereals we get here are better . Maybe you can carry the formula milk in more quantities . My baby got many clothes in gifts , so u could shop for clothes towards the end.

This are somethings that came to my mind.
Will write if i think of more.

Love to the kids,
Disha.