…and give me all the advice you’ve got for:
traveling on a plane with a toddler for the first time
dealing with a layover in an airport with a toddler
being in Karachi with a toddler for the first time
attending weddings in Pakistan with a toddler
I just feel overwhelmed!
Re: Assume I'm a complete idiot...
I sent a detailed PM to you sometime back which answered 3 and 4 in detail
Re: Assume I'm a complete idiot...
^ Yes, I have it saved, Diamond!! Thank you!
Re: Assume I'm a complete idiot...
Just for more info. The toddler in question:
-is not potty-trained. I was planning to take plenty of diapers, as I've been told the one's there are not as good (even tho they are the same brands)
-drinks regular whole milk, and I am slowly weaning her off the bottle. I was planning to take shelf-stable milk cartons. Can I buy the milk there?
-eats what we eat. She will not eat jarred foods and she does not like non-desi cuisine much. I am planning to give her home-cooked food prepared at my chacha's.
Re: Assume I'm a complete idiot...
-is not potty-trained. I was planning to take plenty of diapers, as I've been told the one's there are not as good (even tho they are the same brands)
I have been using pampers for my daughter from day 1 they are good. I know someone who has used EQ as well and recommends it. You can also find HUGGIES here now. I don't think u need to worry about diapers.
-drinks regular whole milk, and I am slowly weaning her off the bottle. I was planning to take shelf-stable milk cartons. Can I buy the milk there?
**
I am using ***Enfa Grow* for my daughter it's the best and safest as far as I know but you will have to be very careful about the water you use. We at home first filter water and then also boil it before using it. I still haven't started giving regular milk to my kid so I can not really comment on it. Other than Enfa NIDO is also a good milk powder.
-eats what we eat. She will not eat jarred foods and she does not like non-desi cuisine much. I am planning to give her home-cooked food prepared at my chacha's.
any thing cooked at home hygienically is good. I would suggest that you take her utensils with you and keep them separate.
Re: Assume I'm a complete idiot...
Just my two cents..make sure you wash her utensils etc with the same boiled water that you use for feeding n cooking otherwise it will kill the purpose of killing germs with boiling water.
If you plan to hire maid for the duration, make sure you keep a very close eye..my sister didn't pay too much attention to her toddler during my wedding n the maid was changing diapers etc..my nephew ended up with the worst case of diaper rash in two days!
Is your flight overnite? The lil one may sleep through it if it's sleep time for her!
Re: Assume I’m a complete idiot…
Thanks for starting this thread.I was gonna do something similar soon…
Now let’s freak out and feel overwhelmed together…
Flight:how long is your transit.???We are looking at a 7 hour transit on our way there and still debating if we should arrange for accommodation.Everyone keeps on telling that it will be a hassle and we will be able to reach the hotel just in time to leave again.On our way back it is a 14 hr transit and the airline has arranged for a stay at the nearest hotel.
We are still thinking if we should purchase a portable DVD player.I know if I play her favorite DVDs,she will be occupied for a while.Someone suggested we take our laptop and play the DVDs on that.Not sure what to do.A portable DVD player will be useless for us after we return.
I am planning on carrying some new toys and coloring books and supplies.It is an overnight flight so I am hoping she will be sleeping through it.
Diapers:I might carry a 2 week supply if our luggage allows.If not,do not worry about diapers.I used to get Pampers there when I visited last year,and they are perfectly fine.I took all my wipes because she once developed a rash to a different brand of wipes so I just took them from here.I will be doing the same this time.
Milk:my biggest worry…!!..She drinks regular whole milk but I have been told that switching it there to fresh milk can cause tummy issues.I am undecided if I should start her on Enfagrow (The toddler formula from the makers of Enfamil) or Nido…??.That brings into the question the water.When we were there last year,she was formula fed and I used to boil filtered water for full 5 mins and use that.Her bottles were boiled for 5 mins every day.She was fine AH.I think I can use water the same way this time too.I just need to decide on the milk…any suggestions…??
Food:The plan IA is to only give home cooked meals,which most likely I will make myself or my mom will.I am thinking of carrying some food items for the flight too.Like some boiled pasta with tomato sauce,some plain parathas or alloo parathas etc..stuff that wont go bad.
As long as you are able to avoid outside food or food you do not know when was cooked,I think the kids should be fine.It is not gonna be easy with them being toddlers but something that has to be done.
Wedding:well,that is not applicable to us.But I hope someone can give good suggestions.
Despite all this beings aid,I am feeling a lil overwhelmed because of the trip .I just keep hoping and praying that Inshallah all will be well…
Re: Assume I'm a complete idiot...
-is not potty-trained. I was planning to take plenty of diapers, as I've been told the one's there are not as good (even tho they are the same brands)
I have been using pampers for my daughter from day 1 they are good. I know someone who has used EQ as well and recommends it. You can also find HUGGIES here now. I don't think u need to worry about diapers.
When my mumanis went their kids developed rashes and they had never had problems before. I think the diapers are made differently there. Not sure why. If I have space, I will take as many as I can.
[quote]
-drinks regular whole milk, and I am slowly weaning her off the bottle. I was planning to take shelf-stable milk cartons. Can I buy the milk there?
**
I am using ***Enfa Grow* for my daughter it's the best and safest as far as I know but you will have to be very careful about the water you use. We at home first filter water and then also boil it before using it. I still haven't started giving regular milk to my kid so I can not really comment on it. Other than Enfa NIDO is also a good milk powder.
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So the EnfaGrow is regular whole milk? They are only available in powder form? Also, is Nestle water fine? I keep hearing muxed things. Was planning to take as many bottles as we can manage, but the weight limitations are gonna be tough.
[quote]
-eats what we eat. She will not eat jarred foods and she does not like non-desi cuisine much. I am planning to give her home-cooked food prepared at my chacha's.
any thing cooked at home hygienically is good. I would suggest that you take her utensils with you and keep them separate.
[/QUOTE]
Good idea!
Re: Assume I'm a complete idiot...
Just my two cents..make sure you wash her utensils etc with the same boiled water that you use for feeding n cooking otherwise it will kill the purpose of killing germs with boiling water.
Yeah I was thinking the same. And for brushing her teeth (and ours!)
[quote]
If you plan to hire maid for the duration, make sure you keep a very close eye..my sister didn't pay too much attention to her toddler during my wedding n the maid was changing diapers etc..my nephew ended up with the worst case of diaper rash in two days!
[/quote]
I hadn't planned for the maid. Do I need to hire one?
[quote]
Is your flight overnite? The lil one may sleep through it if it's sleep time for her!
[/QUOTE]
yes! also inshAllah a lot of us are traveling together, which should keep her occupied when she is awake.
Re: Assume I'm a complete idiot...
And please can someone tell me how to quote more than one thing in a single reply...thanks..!
:(
Re: Assume I'm a complete idiot...
^ The plus thing in the corner of the posts. You can hit more than one post. Then hit add reply.
Re: Assume I’m a complete idiot…
SOOOO glad I have someone to freak out with. 
Our first flight is 14hrs and a 6 hr transit. We are lucky to be traveling with a lot of family inshAllah, so that should make things easier. I’m hoping she will sleep on the plane. I don’t think we’ll get a hotel. Are you taking her stroller? I’ve been told to keep it for Pak anyway, so I will take it along and have it at the airport.
I think we’ll load up some videos on the iPad and take that along. I assume Dora will be available on the plane, but just in case. Also I think someone on here recommedned one new toy per hour, so we’ll may pick up a few funky things from the dollar store. And also take her coloring supplies. Maybe even a tub or two of Playdoh. Ours is overnight too, so hopefully most of it she’ll sleep through.
I was also thinking cuz of tummy upset I should take more than she would normally need for two weeks, cuz of more frequent changes. We don’t normally use wipes, but that’s a good point, I’ll take some and extra rash cream.
But will they drink the Engagrow? I was thinking of taking shelf-stable milk from here. Like you can get the Horizon milk packs and stuff. And it doesn’t need refridgeration. I also like the idea of using milk cartons so I don’t have to worry about washing her cups and stuff and making sure they’re sterile enough. I might start giving it to her once a day or so, to get her used to it. Does this make sense?
About the taking stuff on the plane, what can we take with us on the plane, in terms of food/drink?
InshAllah.
Re: Assume I'm a complete idiot...
Taking toddler to place like Pakistan and on top of that KARACHI should be categorized as child abuse, you know like Michael Jackson dangling his baby out of the window type of abuse. Don't do it.
Re: Assume I’m a complete idiot…
Re: Assume I'm a complete idiot...
We're planning on taking my son this January..... he'll be 9 months old.
More then anything I'm worried about him adjusting to the jet lag.....any advice on how to handle that ?
Re: Assume I'm a complete idiot...
First/business class seats help. :D
Re: Assume I'm a complete idiot...
Sahar, i have taken K to pakistan three times in three years now. Here is my experience:
I never boiled or filtered the water. My inlaws use filtered water and both my toddler and I never had any issues there Alhamd. But if i visit my nand in Pindi i always either take water with me or buy bottled water there. I have also never special washed our utensils but we tried to be careful about not feeding her any outside food, only homecooked food for her.
She was first on breastmilk only but for our last trip she easily took to the regular milk being used at home. No problems there either Alhamdulillah. She also liked the tetra pack brands if we needed to use them without any issues.
I took diapers with me but i dont think there is a need unless your kid is extremely sensitive. Pampers from there are fine too. I do like taking overnight diapers for night time though.
Now for the flight time: Try to keep her usual routine so she will most likely sleep for majority of your flight. This year when i flew with her alone, she slept all throughout the flight. We were able to grab a row where it was only us so she laid down and i could put up my feet too. It was awesome. The air crew is also super helpful if you have children with you (on the most part). We traveled this year with PIA and their in flight entertaintment system was horrible for kids. I would take the Ipad or a portable dvd player with you. You dont need a new toy for each hour, since hopefully she will sleep throughout the flight but do take some new toys, fav books, coloring supplies etc or whatever you think will keep her busy for a while. My little one also liked playing with the plastic cups etc provided by the airline for water etc. She never ate any food they provided so i kept some snacks for her and some nido.
Make sure to pack some tylenol/motrin for during the flight. My little one had a fever on the way over to Pak and am so glad i packed the meds with me.
During layovers, let her run around and be wild so she is tired by the time you are in the plane again. At Barcelona, they have a play area for kids and all the kids loved it after being confined in the plane for so long. If its a long layover, maybe both of you can catch on some sleep by taking advantage of the seating lounges.
Relax, you will be ok IA. Dont be too worried, its not going be that bad.
Re: Assume I'm a complete idiot...
We're planning on taking my son this January..... he'll be 9 months old.
More then anything I'm worried about him adjusting to the jet lag.....any advice on how to handle that ?
I would say let him sleep when he wants; he'll slowly adjust. According to my mom since we're going to a shadi, we should maintain US timings :p
Re: Assume I'm a complete idiot...
Sahar, i have taken K to pakistan three times in three years now. Here is my experience:
I never boiled or filtered the water. My inlaws use filtered water and both my toddler and I never had any issues there Alhamd. But if i visit my nand in Pindi i always either take water with me or buy bottled water there. I have also never special washed our utensils but we tried to be careful about not feeding her any outside food, only homecooked food for her.
ok so I will just take a little water from here and then buy Nestlé cases from there.
[quote]
She was first on breastmilk only but for our last trip she easily took to the regular milk being used at home. No problems there either Alhamdulillah. She also liked the tetra pack brands if we needed to use them without any issues.
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I've gotten sick from drinking milk there myself so don't want to risk it. Worst case she doesn't drink milk. According to the ped kids don't need it at 2yo anymore.
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I took diapers with me but i dont think there is a need unless your kid is extremely sensitive. Pampers from there are fine too. I do like taking overnight diapers for night time though.
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that's good to know.
[quote]
Now for the flight time: Try to keep her usual routine so she will most likely sleep for majority of your flight. This year when i flew with her alone, she slept all throughout the flight. We were able to grab a row where it was only us so she laid down and i could put up my feet too. It was awesome. The air crew is also super helpful if you have children with you (on the most part). We traveled this year with PIA and their in flight entertaintment system was horrible for kids. I would take the Ipad or a portable dvd player with you. You dont need a new toy for each hour, since hopefully she will sleep throughout the flight but do take some new toys, fav books, coloring supplies etc or whatever you think will keep her busy for a while. My little one also liked playing with the plastic cups etc provided by the airline for water etc. She never ate any food they provided so i kept some snacks for her and some nido.
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what did you do for actual meals for her?
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Make sure to pack some tylenol/motrin for during the flight. My little one had a fever on the way over to Pak and am so glad i packed the meds with me.
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will do.
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During layovers, let her run around and be wild so she is tired by the time you are in the plane again. At Barcelona, they have a play area for kids and all the kids loved it after being confined in the plane for so long. If its a long layover, maybe both of you can catch on some sleep by taking advantage of the seating lounges.
Relax, you will be ok IA. Dont be too worried, its not going be that bad.
[/QUOTE]
thank you for the great advice!
Re: Assume I’m a complete idiot…
title
i will not assume. 