So here is my amended packing list I've redone on the fly based on all the new plans and info I've obtained. If I come up with anything new I'll just amend this post.
Buy in Anand at Big Bazaar:
· dish soap
· washcloths
· Pot for hot plate
· Baby carriers (cheap ones to avoid bringing our car seats and stroller)
· Shampoo/conditioner
Feeding:
· Hot plate
· 48 60 ml bottles, nipples
· 48 nipples, including some silicone ones since the rubber ones start to fail after a while
· Nipple shields with mini-scissors to trim them. This helps with nipple confusion if you will still attempt to breastfeed.
· Lact-aid supplemental nursing system
· Bandaids/first aid tape to hold down Lact-Aid tubes
· Baby bullet steamer for sterilization
· Burp cloths
· Domperidone
· Supplements for breastfeeding: Blessed Thistle, Fenugreek, Fennel seed, Alfalfa (I couldn't find Anise or Goat's Rue or some of the others, but these four are the most common. I just bought plain fenugreek and fennel seeds at the spice counter because it is three times cheaper and just involves some swallowing and chewing.)
· Breast pump & attachments (I rented the top of the line Medela Symphony hospital grade pump)
· Pacifiers (an assortment, but mostly the soothie type)
· Inflateable My Breast Friend twin pillow
· Beaba battery powered formula mixer (mixes in bottle to avoid shaking and creating bubbles/gas)
· Washable nipple pads for leakage (silicone ones were better but expensive)
· Medela quick clean wipes
· Pacifier wipes
· Formula container (tupperware container that has at least 4 compartments and pop open top that rotates)
· Breastmilk storage bags
Changing:
· 10 diapers per day per baby average (I bought 33 packs of Huggies and Pampers preemie to start with and will have family bring me more if needed) I also brought 1-2 wipes per diaper.
· cloth diaper
· portable changing pad
· Travel baby lotion/shampoo/oil
· Desitin & other samples of baby toiletries I got from the pediatrician's office
· Diaper toss bags
· Waterproof pads
Misc:
· Puj baby bathtub that folds out flat
· Mosquito net crib featured in an earlier post. The mattress from the pack and play is now out of the question because it takes up too much space.
· Dreft detergent-powder
· clothesline
· USB drive to port documents
· Mult copies of all listed docs on VISA Process
· Camera with SIM cards and USB and extra batteries
· 2 Moby wraps
· Baby brush and nail clippers
· Nasal aspirators
· Thermometer
· Medicine dropper syringes
Clothing:
· Layettes (This means the pile of preemie clothes)
· Mittens
· Hats
· Receiving blankets
· Muslin swaddle blankets
Me:
· Sarees/cholis (I'm bringing thin silk ones for space and can buy some there if needed)
· underwear
· Rubberbands to hold my hair back
· Makeup
· Computer
· Cell ph & chargers
· Credit cards/ID/passport
· Deodorant
· Small shampoo/conditioner
· Toothbrush/paste
· Razor
· Most essential Baby reference books/info sheets
· Sleep meds to help me get on India time and sleep on the plane when I'm a bundle of nerves
· Pepto & diahhrea meds
· Sunglasses
· Converters for plugs
· Inflatable neck pillow
· Malaria meds (but I'll stop when I am producing breastmilk for babies)
· Earplugs
· DVD player and P90X so I can work out my stress in my room (if I can fit it in the suitcase)
· CASH (less than $10,000 or you have to declare it with customs)
Documents needed:
· Proof of the parents' identity and citizenship, such as U.S. or other passports.
• Child's original birth certificate issued by the local authorities (including English translation, if applicable). The birth certificate must include the name of the child.
• Two (2) photo studio quality photographs of the child, 2" x 2" in size and taken against a light background. The child must be facing forward with his/her ears showing and eyes open
• Prenatal and hospital records (e.g., ultrasounds, prescriptions, evidence of pre-natal doctor visits, hospital discharge documents, vaccination card, etc.) Can be provided by Dr. Patel/Dr. Hitesh, but print of all documentation you got over email and in case some of the document is not provided during baby pick-up
• The parents' marriage certificate, or other proof of their relationship prior to the child’s conception. (This is not required if the mother of the child is a U.S. citizen.).
· Former passports
· Proof of residency docs