Babies Packing List

So I've been to the Big Bazaar and the Seven Eleven (not part of the US chain) in Anand has a 2nd floor full of baby stuff. However, there is just not much selection in India of baby stuff, and you don't know the quality of what you are getting. Formula is hard to come by. The NICU uses Lactodex, which I've never heard of. So here is my baby packing list so far, including my Lact-Aid SNS (Supplemental Nursing System) and accoutrements. I've some how got to cram all this stuff into two suitcases along with my stuff. I will pack light and have one American outfit and the rest will be sarees. If you aren't having twins, all the other folks say don't bother with a stroller or baby carrier if you are flying back on an airline that provides baby seats/bassinets. It is mostly useful for the airports and such but the streets are not suited for strollers really and a baby carrier is your best bet. I say don't buy a baby carrier and just buy 7 yards of cotton jersey knit that is 30" wide and watch You Tube videos on how to use it as a baby carrier in every possible way. It is basically a Moby wrap, so search that term for wrapping instructions.

This list is still growing, but I've found some cool products that are bound to wind up in the suitcase like the Snuza baby monitors that clip to the diaper and warn you if the baby stops breathing, the Itzbeen timers to help track feeding/changing/etc, and a portable battery powered mini hand mixer for mixing formula inside a bottle.

Feeding:

Portable stove (buy pot in Anand)

slow flow nipples for newborn
bottle brush
baby's powdered milk for newborns for 6 wks
thermos (hot water to warm the milk)
portable stove (to boil water, to sterilize bottles)

Nipple shields-silicone and other w/scissors to trim

Lact Aid system

Boots disposable sterilizer bags for LactAid parts

Bottle sterilizer

First aid tape

Quick clean wipes for SNS

Band aids for tubing
burp cloths

Domperidone & nursing supplements & oatmeal

Breast pump & storage bags

Bottles & nipple selection

Changing:

disposable newborn diapers for travelling
cloth diapers
diaper bag
changing pad
baby wipes or bulk cotton – Anand

Travel baby lotion/shampoo/oil kits

Desitin

Diaper toss bags

Misc:

receiving blankets
washcloth -- Anand Big Bazaar

soft towel

Dreft detergent-powder

dishsoap

Puj baby bathtub that folds out flat

clothesline

USB drive to port documents

Mult copies of all listed docs on VISA Process

Clothing:

undershirts
one piece pajama
onesies
socks
gloves
hats

Carrying:
baby carrier-Moby

Snap & Go stroller

2 Baby carriers

Sleeping

Portable crib & mattress pad

 

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.).

·         Proof of residency docs