Hi,

I am planning to go to Kathmandu for a month from USA along with a 2 month old infant. Will there be any hassles as such while traveling with a baby of this age? or should I defer my travel plan until the baby is 6 months old? Please share your travel experience with infant if you have done so before. I would also like to know if the infant's name needs to be added to my passport before the travel or if only the birth certificate will do. I would appreciate your suggestions and would like to hear your experience. Thanks.

Regards,
Atmaram

Hey Atmaram,

I suggest you to postpone your travel by few months. Travelling with 2 months baby can be a real hassle and it's not safe either. And, regarding passport, they might craete some problem about it if they want to.

I think you can travel with the infant. But, the baby needs a american passport, which you can apply and get from the nearest post office. Also, baby might need a ticket (round trip should not cost more than $200, I guess). I suggest you to take baby's immunization record to provide other shots in Nepal. They will provide VISA for your baby at KTM Airport.

In addition, I have heard that it is safe to carry one to two unopened can of baby's formula while you return in case the baby needs in aeroplane, because they don't provide you to carry any open food from Nepal. Most Airlines will provide baby's bassinet in the plane, just you need to ask for the front seat for you and tell them that you have infant.

I have traveled twice with a child (15 months old) alone and it was not easy. If I were you , I would wait till the child is 6 months, at that age, they're easy to handle and a lot better than traveling with a toddler. Having said that, please try and find someone flying around that time, it helps to have someone with you at different airports and in the plane. With a baby, diaper bag,hand luggage etc, it can be overwhelming.

Your child will need his/her own passport which you can apply at the post office, it shouldn't take more than 2 weeks.

HTH
Good Luck !
By the way, what route are you taking?

Atmaram
When are you planning to go to Nepal?? I am also planning to go with my 1 year child. May be we can go together. I am planning to around the end of April.

About the baby's passport I think you should apply right away. It took 6 weeks in our case.
I had heard they let us carry a stroller abroad but I am not sure if it is only an umbrella stroller or other one is also allowed. Any experienced person pls let me know that.

meeraneera, carry a light weighted umbrella stroller, it will be a lot easier.

Travelling with an infant is often easier than travelling with a toddler (toddlers tend to get fidgety). If you infant is nursing ... it will take care of the need to sterilize bottles and all the mixing and pouring etc. needs....also take off and landings are a breeze if you can get the infant to nurse during the these.

Young infants also tend to sleep for longer which is wonderful ..... some of the things you will have to worry about are (especially if you are travelling alone):
*The sheer number of things you will have to take along
*Your own "call of nature" needs
*Cranky baby syndrome...drives everyone nuts in those confined spaces

Other things:
* for infants they will allow you to take your stroller(pram the full size one) uptil the door of the aircraft....plz make a big deal that you need it at the door at the stopover...they often book it for the next leg of the flight and you may find yourself high and dry when you need it most.
* getting a passport for your child is best ... do it immediately
* immunization records and birth certificate should be kept handy
*never underestimate the amout of daipers or feeds your child may need
* if on formula....do carry the individual 4oz packs ...they are easy to cart around, convinient.....and the hostesses will gladly bring you warm water
* car carriers are not required as most airlines will provide a baby crib
* for bottle carry drop ins and extra nipples.... easier to dispose and change ... and you won't have to worry about your kid getting sick

last peice of advice........travel with a companion...makes life a lot easier....................but alone is fine too...........I have mastered the technique of travelling with two little ones :)

guzmoon Thanx

But what I was thinking was if it a bigger stroller than you can place all the other stuff(like daiper bag) at the bottom and be free in the transits even if the baby wants to be carried in the arms and not to stay in the stroller. I think carryinga stroller, a daiper bag (which will be pretty heavy with all the formula, daiper, wipes, blankets and so on).

Is it that they do not allow you to carry the bigger(it is foalding though) stroller at all???

I had heard they will take the stroller at the entrance of the plane and will give it back when you are going out. Is'nt it true??

Anyone experienced can you please tell me more about this

"I had heard they will take the stroller at the entrance of the plane and will give it back when you are going out. Is'nt it true?? "

Yes, it is true and when you get off the plane they will put those strollers in the entrance, I had no problems going to nepal with but when I was coming back my stroller got lost so you just have to remind the air crew before plane lands so they make sure that you get your stroller.

Yes, it is better to have your baby passport, otherwise you they can give you hard time. IF I were you, atmaram I will wait until my baby is little older becasue at this age s/he is still developing immune system and taking baby to other place can cause illness and stuffs.

Some planes provide baby food but it is always best to take your own formula and baby food ( incase your baby does not like other food than what he is used to).

IF you book your tickets in advance, you might have better chances of getting the very front seat with some extra space.

Well, good luck!!

Oh, yeah, do not worry about the visa for the kids becasue as long as they have their US PP they do not have to have visa. I did not know this and I got visa from the nepali and indian embassy for my child ( which was just waste of money).