Flying with Infants or Toddlers to India: A Parent's Survival Guide

It is already challenging enough to travel with a baby or a toddler on a domestic short haul; throw in a 14+ hour international flight to India, a time difference of 9.5 to 13.5 hours, and a few possible stops along the way, and one may find oneself feeling overwhelmed long before buying tickets for this type of travel. And here is some positive news: many American families visit India every year with their babies or toddlers, and with the proper planning flying with infants to India can be a much easier experience than expected.

Below you will find information that will allow you to prepare properly for the whole process, from booking tickets to surviving the flight itself, and focus on enjoying your family gathering instead of being worried about your trip.

Why Flying to India With a Baby Feels Different

Most of the USA to India Flights have one long-haul sector of 14–16 hours (direct flights from New York, Chicago, San Francisco, etc.) or via intermediate destinations such as London, Frankfurt, Dubai, Doha, Istanbul, etc.

In preparing for a trip to India with baby in tow, the two main hurdles to overcome are always:

• Sleep disruption - babies and toddlers aren't familiar with time zones, nor is their circadian rhythm
• Confinement weariness - a toddler that typically runs around throughout the day will suddenly have to sit (or be held) for hours on end

Knowing about these two obstacles from the start allows for proper planning rather than realization during the flight.

Flight Booking: What Really Counts

Choose Nonstop When Possible

One 15-hour flight is far preferable for little children than two connecting flights with a layover as it is those transitions that can disrupt their schedules the most. If a nonstop flight isn't feasible or affordable, then choose only one layover with sufficient time at each end that you won't be running through airports with a stroller and car seat in tow.

Time Your Departure Around Sleep

Try to book the flights which will depart from your location in the late afternoon or early evening, because the long-haul flight should coincide with your child's natural sleep schedule, allowing you to get some good sleep and not have to struggle with an overtired and stimulated toddler in the middle of the night.

Bassinets and Bulkhead Seats Inquiry

On most long-haul flights (Boeing 777, 787, Airbus A350, A380) there is an option of a seat in the bulkhead which has bassinets for babies up to 6 months old (or up to a particular weight limit, around 20-26 lbs, depending on the airline). These seats:

• Provide additional legroom and floor space for you
• Let your baby sleep in a dedicated bassinet rather than your lap
• Are limited in numbers and have to be booked either together with the ticket purchase or by contacting the airline directly

When working with a travel consultant or booking through Fantastic Fare, please make sure that the request for bassinets and bulkhead seats will be made properly.

Also Read: How to Find Cheap International Flights from the USA: 10 Proven Tips

Consider Business or Premium Economy for Long Sectors

In case there is sufficient budget to upgrade only the long flight, such a move will be extremely beneficial additional space for a car seat, a choice between sleep and lie-flat seats for adults, and noise isolation in the cabin section. Most families opt for the economy class tickets for the domestic sector, booking the India route as business class by points, upgrades, or at a reduced price.

Travel Documents and Requirements for Infants and Toddlers

• Passport: All babies have to travel with their own passports regardless of age with an embedded photo.
• OCI or Visa: Non-Indian children are likely to require the OCI document (if applicable) or a tourist visa which must be applied well in advance at least 6–8 weeks prior to departure.
• Copies of birth certificate: Can be used if necessary when your baby has a different surname compared to that of one of the parents.
• Letter from pediatrician: Usually optional but helpful if your baby is under medication, has any health issues, or your trip coincides with some significant health-related dates.

Packing List: What to Actually Bring in Your Carry-On

Use your checked bag for bulky stuff (diapers, formula tins, additional clothing) and use your carry-on to pack any necessities for during the flight:

• Diapers (twice/three times as many as you think you will need)
• Wipes, diaper changing pad, and 2–3 bags for disposing diapers
• A complete set of clothing for baby and an extra one for yourself
• Pre-portioned formula/breast milk along with bottles (it is allowed by most airlines for infants to bring more liquid than per the 3-1-1 rule)
• Snacks and a drinking cup for toddlers
• Something familiar for the child's comfort (a blanket, or a stuffed animal)
• Medications (prescribed ones as well as infant Tylenol/Motrin), discuss with your pediatrician about taking them while flying
• Headphones that can be worn by toddlers
• Novelty toys that do not require any screen usage
• A few new, small, screen-free toys novelty buys more attention than familiar toys

Toddler Long Flight Tips That Actually Work

Toddler children may be the hardest age bracket to fly with too big for a bassinet and too little to pay attention and follow directions. Here are some toddler long flight tips shared by parents who have taken this India run more than once:

1. Book your own seat for your toddler if possible. Infants who can sit laps are usually free or heavily discounted, but a toddler sitting alone (preferably in an infant seat or FAA approved harness) will be much easier to manage for a flight of 14 hours.
2. Plan a sequence of entertainments. Do not give the child the tablet after one hour. Alternate as follows: snack, a quiet toy, walking along the aisle, short movie, sticker album, sleep. Alternation of entertainment does not allow getting bored on the 6th hour of flight.
3. Prepare the entertainment in advance. Wi-Fi in the plane may be unavailable or pay for the international flights. Download movies, games and audiobooks ahead of time.
4. Use meals to mark the intervals. Long flights have two meal services on board. The breaks between these services should be your intervals of entertainment.
5. Let them walk. When it is safe to walk along the aisle, this helps to expend energy.
6. Change your schedule a few days before your flight to India. Adjusting nap and bedtime every day to 30-60 min towards Indian time will ease the effect of jet lag.

Managing Ear Pressure and Motion Discomfort

Unlike adults, infants and young children cannot pop their ears voluntarily. In most cases, the fluctuating pressures during the ascent and descent phases are what bring out the most crying during the flights.

• For infants: Nursing, feeding, or giving the child a pacifier during the ascending and descending phases will help in balancing the pressure in the ears.
• For toddlers: Giving a sippy cup, snack to chew or swallow, or even a lollipop (if age-appropriate) during ascending and descending phases is very helpful.
• For all ages: Try as much as possible not to allow the infants to sleep during the descending phase.

Managing Jet Lag on Arrival in India

This adjustment is usually more difficult for toddlers than for babies, since babies sleep according to their own schedule regardless of time differences.

• Expose yourself to natural light right away upon arrival. Natural light triggers an adjustment of the internal body clock best.
• You cannot expect total adjustment during the first day of travel; allow about 3-5 days before complete adjustment.
• Try to keep meals around the local schedule as much as your child can tolerate it, while sleep may take longer to adjust.
• Taking naps during the first couple of days is fine. Try not to resist daytime sleepiness as long as you do not encourage 4 hour-long naps.

Travel Insurance and Health Preparations

Speak with your pediatrician about vaccinations for travel and specific requirements for India (this differs depending on which areas of India you will be visiting). Additionally, it may also be beneficial to see if you have travel insurance coverage for trip interruption or medical needs while abroad (it's not necessary, just something worth looking into in advance of such a long trip with a baby).

Conclusion

Traveling with infants in India is a marathon and not a sprint, but one that families have been doing successfully each and every day. The key factors that determine whether a flight can be a miserable experience or not usually come down to three things: getting the correct seating in advance, packing properly, and engaging your infant appropriately throughout the whole flight rather than just the beginning.

Should you plan your vacation, Fantastic Fare focuses on offering USA to India flights and will be able to assist you in getting more advantageous flight connections, with aircraft capable of having a bassinet and connections suitable for a family.