India with a 5 years old and a infant

India isn't the easiest place to raise an infant that age for a few months, but if you are willing to accept some risks then it is OK. One important factor is when you were planning to go - if over the monsoon then you may want to rethink because of all the illnesses around then that could be quite serious for your infant (and you). I live in India with 2 kids (both have been here from 2 months old) and I usually want to run away once the dengue / malaria / food and water borne illnesses start hitting the headlines. SE-Asian countries like Thailand, Malaysia are easier alternatives.

Otherwise I would try and pick somewhere calm where you can unwind and relax with an infant (beach is probably a good option), but that isn't too far from good medical care because there are serious health issues around and you want to make sure you can get help quickly. The good thing about India is that there is good, affordable (for tourists at least) medical care around to counter the fact that it is a seriously dirty place!

I would also make sure you stay somewhere you can prepare your own food. It reduces the chances of food borne issues - which you'll really want to avoid if you have to start giving your infant solids. Finally, consider getting the rabies vaccination for your older child. We've just been through the post-vaccine series, and I really recommend it. It is a major hassle finding the appropriate post-vaccine care (due to the need for immunoglobulin - the standard vaccine is widely available) and rabies is, unfortunately, not uncommon in India. Many of the touristy beaches have alot of "friendly" strays around and it may be hard to keep your child away from them. All it takes is a scratch (or less) to contract rabies.

We will try to avoid the monsoon. I was planning to go there this summer but I dind't partly just because of it (I didt want to bring my kid there at that moment and it diden't fellt so good for me either, pregnant and tired in dharamasala did't felt like a good combination).

No one I talked to have recommend rabies before, I know its existing in India but even thou I never got a recommendation for it. I need to take it up with my husband and ask our doctor about it, it maybe a good idea (especially because our daughter really loves animals).

Out though is to hire a little house so we are able too cook. Our 5 years old will prefer it that way I think and when the little one starts to eat its necessary too. ¨
What to medicin care cost in India? I guess we try to have some insurance from home before we go. Here in Sweden medical care is almost free så it would be quite different any way (cost lika 10-45 Euro per visit here)

India has the highest human-rabies in the world. The problem (which is under-appreciated by most people) is that without the vaccine you have to find a source of immunoglobulin (along with the standard 5 shots of the vaccine) following a bite / scratch. This is really expensive and way beyond the budget of most people in India. This means that it isn't well stocked (in the massive city I live in one single pharmacy stocked human immunoglobulin). It is difficult to describe just how stressful all this was after my son was bitten - and it wasn't helped by the fact that rabies deaths were reported nearly daily around this time!! The other issue is that it is a really painful injection to have (it has to be injected immediately around the wound and alot of it has to be injected). So, it never seems like a big deal until you have to deal with something like this... there was even a case of a british woman who died after being "scratched" by a pet puppy in Goa... so you never can tell here. Apparently soap and water is the best disinfectant after a dog bite. It kills the virus best.

Cost of visiting a doctor in a good hospital where I live is around 300 rp and this covers 3 visits or 15 days. You may like to find a paediatrician before you go (vaccines and things?). Indiamike is a good forum to get local information like this. You'll probably want insurance in case of an emergency as the bills can mount up then and many of the hospitals are known for primarily money making. It would probably make admittance easier too since often no treatment will be given before something is paid. There are excellent doctors around though.

At indienmike i found this:
http://www.indiamike.com/india/health-and-well-being-in-india-f2/rabies-vaccination-t4673/
It did't feels like the most people thought it was worth it. Our vaccination clinic does only recommend rabies if you stay in India for over 3 month in a VERY isolated rural area. Other clinics say its very uncommon to recommend rabies vaccine at all (doesn't go thou when it would be).

Sorry I was meant to add that you should think of it like any other vaccine - if you believe the risk is serious enough to have it (e.g., like typhoid, anti-malarials) then you should have it. Most people are under the impression there is adequate post-care available so opt to go without because of this (and feel it was the right decision because they never did get bitten - the post you linked is like this). But, adequate post-care is not easy to find. Also, many people feel they can control the dogs - but most people who have been bitten find that it takes them completely unaware.

Try some searches here for people who have had to go through the post-care treatment - it is a different story (relating both the difficulty in finding the injection and the inability to keep their distance from dogs). But, if you don't want to have it then make sure you get a good travel insurance because you may have to travel - and fairly fast. It is preferably given in the first 24 h, but it unlikely you would achieve this (it took us 1 day to find someone who knew what we were asking for). It is useless 7 days after the bite. Also, make sure you child understand how serious it is not to pat the friendly dogs!

With kids in tow, India isn't an easy option, but its not that scary either !

Avoid travelling during extreme weathers- Nov-Jan end can be pretty cold in North India, but quite pleasant down south.Varkala, in Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) is a good option, just ensure you stay in a clean hotel and request a diet that suits you best, atleast the first few days. Drink plenty of water ( bottled/ mineral) and avoid eating any spicy or oily food. Kerela is a very tourist friendly state and has good medical facilities, but ensure you carry all the necessary medications you need for the children before setting off on the journey.

I think the diet that suite us best is what we find. Hotel food for tourist typically is not one of them. The plan was to hire a house down there to be able too cook our own food, but I guess a hotel is necessary the first days anyway to be able to look around and find a good place. But im little unsure about Varkala the last month, jan-may seems to be good there, but should we spend maj-jun in some other place becuse of the rainfall?

Api: Ok then I understand :) I guess a good insurance will be a good idea any way, just too fell more safe at least.

April - June is really hot in some parts (43 degrees where we live and frequent power cuts). It would probably be good to look for somewhere at a higher altitude (a hill station?), but not yet raining? I'm not sure where that place would be though.... If you can't escape the heat or humidity then staying where you are may be the better option. Travelling around in this sort of weather is more uncomfortable.

By the way, just had a friend bitten by a monkey, so you have to be careful of them as well!

I will remember that :)
Here its -30 in januari so not very nice either. Its partly because of the heat I want to have the ocean near so our daughter can take a bath at least. But AC would really be a good thing to have, but yes its still a problem. So varkala in the beginning and then escape ut north would be a good idea? I need to check the weather in other places