Hey guys I’m going to Pakistan in June with my son, who will be 20 months old. We’ll be staying there until the end of August…staying generally in Islamabad and Pindi. Going back after 4 years and first time with a toddler.
Now i have a bunch of questions which is why i made this thread…and i’ll probably keep writing in it jntil i go to Pakistan (prob even while i’m there lol)..any input and advice will be highly appreciated!
Airplane tips - can someone either link me useful threads please or offer tips…we are traveling via Qatar Airways. Thankfully my mom and sister will be onnthe same flight…so not too worried abt it…but still… lol
What spf sunscreen should i get for my son? I know how strong the sun is in pak, i don’t want him to get a sunburn.
Dengue and malaria are my biggest fear…esp since this is an extended summer time trip. How do i keep mosquitos away from my son? I know not going out at certain times of the day is the best…but as far as repellant goes…what’s the best? Are there any other products i should get to keep the mosquitos away? I live in the States.
I’m convincing myself that the change of air and water will definitely effect Ibrahim and he will probably get sick - but what can i do to minimize the chances?
Any other tips or tricks that were useful to u guys will be appreciated!!!
Re: Pakistan in the Summer - Tips and advice please!
Hi there … I am going to Pakistan in June too. Last time I went after 4 years, this time less than 10 months. I dont know much about Qatar airways though.
As I lived my most of life in Pakistan … I thought I would adjust in a week or so but I could not neither could adjust with time. I used to sleep at 4 am. no matter what.
try to be careful with hygiene, do not eat anywhere (I mean only eat the places recommended) . Be very careful with water and always keep some bottles with you. It was harder for me as I was there in Ramzan and suffered with dehydration.
Weather in Pindi and Islamabad is much better and Murree is close to you Less issues with Load shedding there as well.
Cant think of anything else at the moment. will update if anything comes to my mind.
Re: Pakistan in the Summer - Tips and advice please!
We are going to Pakistan too with 2 kids. My kids are older though.
For airplane, I am getting each one of them their own carry on in which I plan to put coloring books, crayons, books to read and some other small toys for them to play with. Also lots of snacks in case they do not eat whats provided in the plane. (I am pretty sure they will only survive on snacks). Since both of the kids will have their own seats a travel pillow for each of them.
I am going to take the same sun screen they use here. I also plan on taking fever and cough syrup just in case.
No tips for dengue fever.
Only using bottled water, probably will take powdered milk or pediasure. I am pretty sure the kids will get sick. But since its a short trip, I think it is going to be ok. I would have to loosen some of the control over the kids but am ok with it.
Last time when I visited with my 1 year old, I requested everyone not to give candy to him but he still had it. I also requested not to give him soda but was kind of strict about it so he did not have any soda. Now that he is older I am hoping people still respect some of my diet rules for my kids but even if they are broken, because its a short trip, I can always reinforce them when we are back.
Also last time a close relative insisted that my son drinks buffalo milk (to make him gain weight, my kids are naturally on the smaller/thinner side), after much insistence I let him have it. It was a disaster, his stomach could not take it.
Its ok to bend the rules somewhere but when you are pretty sure, some food is not going to sit well with your child, politely keep on saying ‘no’
Re: Pakistan in the Summer - Tips and advice please!
this is the information i provided:
CB, not sure if you already visited Pakistan but i have traveled with my LO twice to Pakistan and Alhumdulilah he was ok both times. The first time i took him, he was only 7 months and i traveled alone. I got a baby carrier, saved my life. I took all the formula from US (premixed stuff, no need for water either.) I got bottle steamer bags and steamed his bottles everyday (using bottled water of course.) I even took bottle cleaning brushes and soap from here (both times.) And i cleaned and washed his bottle…not the cleaning lady.
Second time around he was 1 1/2, and we got a travel stroller…again a life saver. This is the one i got: Graco LiteRider Stroller - Odyssey - Graco - Babies “R” Us. I highly recd. this stroller (we traveled to Turkey as well before going to Pakistan…and the stroller was perfect for that trip.) We took his powder milk from here and used bottled water in Pakistan (he didn’t get sick Alhumdulilah.) We mostly stayed home and fed him house food…didn’t really go to too many restaurants.
-both times his doc. gave me diarrhea medicine from here (powdered form and you mix water if and when you need it.)
-both times i dressed him in his one piece PJ’s and that was very comfortable for him…i didn’t have to worry about socks, jacket etc.
-both times i gave him tyenol before and after landing and let him suck on his pacifier too.
-I packed his food for the plane ride with me
-I packed few new toys for him for the plane ride
-We didn’t let him out from the seat area (i knew once he found the aisle there would be no returning to his seat.)
***FYI …if you are traveling with a toddler, my experience with the bulkhead seat was horrible. On our flight from Turkey to Karachi, we got the bulkhead…think we can use the front leg area for play area. Which workout great for when my toddler was playing. I put down a blanket, gave him some toys…great!. BUT when it was sleep time, he couldn’t sleep seating in his seat and the arm rest don’t come up. I had to carry him while he slept for 6 hours…I was in pain. I dont’ recd. that to anyone..
The first time around, i also pumped on the plane and had the staff look after him while i pumped. ( i never used that milk though.)
hope all this helps.
Re: Pakistan in the Summer - Tips and advice please!
We had a great experience with Qatar Airways. I went alone with my 7 month old and 3 year old. They were both given goodie bags and a stuffed spongebob toy.
Their mini TVs have plenty of kids entertainment. Movies and shows. They have extra formula and diapers aboard in case you need more.
At the Doha airport you can ask for a stroller. You won’t be getting your own stroller until you’re in Pak, it comes on the belt. The airport workers in Doha let me pass through the checking without having to stand in lines and they helped me carry my carry on.
I would also recommend you to order his food 42 hours before your flight so he can get their kids meal!
Re: Pakistan in the Summer - Tips and advice please!
Thanks! I def think the weather in Pindi/Islamabad is better…Lahore would just be extremely difficult to adjust to for kids. Will definitely feed Ibrahim home-cooked food…that was one of the first things everyone told me. Even at better quality restaurants it’s best to eat at home.
My flight will be 13 hrs from here to Doha, and 3 hours from Doha to Islamabad. My son is very active so I really hope he just sleeps thru the whole thing since it is a nighttime flight.
Re: Pakistan in the Summer - Tips and advice please!
The diarrhea medicine is a wonderful idea! I have an appointment lined up for my son before we leave for Pakistan, so I will make sure to mention that…thanks a lot!!!
A couple of people have told me about the bulkhead being great - it does sound like a great thing to do to let them sit down and play. I did a quick google search for what mom’s reccommended and I found a couple blogs saying bulkhead area is good for letting toddler sleep, like on the floor with blankets and pillows. My mom sister and I will get seats together so it’s not like it would bother someone else. Good idea or not?
Re: Pakistan in the Summer - Tips and advice please!
I will keep all these tips in mind! Having a separate carry-on for your child is the best idea! I couldn’t find a purse that would be big enough with enough pockets - but getting him his own little kiddie backpack will be awesome, so he can have his stuff in one spot without me worrying about it. Thanks!!!
Re: Pakistan in the Summer - Tips and advice please!
since I posted that we already visit Pakistan for the 3rd time…I know it seems go a lot, and I do
anyways please take the diarrhea medicine from her …this time around we had to use it too but it care of the diarrhea in 3 days Alhumdulilah!
My experience with the bulkhead wasn’t a good one…because of the arm rest issue. The area in the front is ok BUT wasn’t enough for my big toddler ( he is very tall mA…) but I know a friend whose toddler is a little smaller and she said it was good for them.
Re: Pakistan in the Summer - Tips and advice please!
We are probably going to get bulk head seats.
I have traveled before with my son. When he was infant I got the bassinet and it was great to have the bulk head seat with the leg space.
Another time I did not get the bulk head and he was 1 yr old and slept on me and I was on the window seat. Very very bad experience.
Last time we got lucky and the flight was not full and we got multiple seats so he could lie down and sleep which of course is not possible with the bulk head because of arm rest.
But my kids, when they are very tired, sleep in their car seats as well. We have had many road trips in which they have slept in the car seats.
Also with more leg space I will be able to stretch as well and may not be as tired so I can help them.
I do plan to use the bulk head area for the kids to may be play but I doubt the airline would let the kids sleep there for safety concerns. When my son was in the bassinet, even with the slightest turbulence, the staff would wake me up and ask to take him out of bassinet.
Besides if you do not like bulk head, you can ask if any willing passenger would exchange with you. I am sure some would like to get the bulk head but I doubt anyone would exchange your regular seat with bulkhead.
Re: Pakistan in the Summer - Tips and advice please!
^ asking to change once you are seated with 2 other family member isn’t the best idea or might not be very doable. again my toddler wasn’t able to sleep on the seat because of its fabric material…i had to carry him for a 6 hour flight…and beleive me that was not fun!
I personally don’t like the empty space that attrats many to the bulk head. I am short and i like to have a foot rest to put up my feet. again thats just me.
I’m going to Pakistan in June with my son, who will be 20 months old. We’ll be staying there until the end of August…staying generally in Islamabad and Pindi. Going back after 4 years and first time with a toddler.
Less issues with Load shedding there as well.