Caring for little ones in Mumbai

Suzzell22

Hi. I am new to this chat site so if I am posting this message in the wrong place I apologize.

I am considering moving to Mumbai with my wife and two sons (9 months and 2.5 years). We have done a lot of reading on this site about travelling with children in India. However, we are more intersted in the logistics of caring for children when living in Mumbai. We are curious about such things as:

Where do caregivers/mothers/nannies take children to play? I have heard there are not many parks in Mumbai for children to get exercise and socialize. Do the children end up staying in the apartment all day?

Are there playgroups and other activities for children readily available in the city?

Will the air pollution be a big problem for children? Will they need to wear masks when outside all the time?

Do children need to always be covered in deet for mosquitos assuming they are in the city? What about malaria medication?

How did other families who moved to Mumbai deal with innoculations (yellow, typhoid, etc) for young ones?

For families with experience, do you simply have to resign yourself to the fact that your children will get sick all the time?

While we will likely have a car & driver, is that realistically the only method of transit within the city if you are with children? Are strollers useless?

The list could go on and on. I am not trying to focus entirely on the bad things as I am sure there are tons of positives. However, I need to assess the risks in order to make a sound decision. We are really just looking for an expat family with little ones who we could chat with about the trials and tribulationas of raising children in Mumbai. What to expect? What you encountered and never thought of?

Thanks in advance.

navinkurian2002

Consider moving to Mumbai similar to moving to New York .

People living here to make money. A concrete jungle . Lots of vehicles and pollution.

All your question will depend where you are going to relocated. Colaba, Bandra Vashi the place you relocate will decide the level of pollution , playgrounds, playschools etc.

Q Where do caregivers/mothers/nannies take children to play? I have heard there are not many parks in Mumbai for children to get exercise and socialize. Do the children end up staying in the apartment all day?
Q Are there playgroups and other activities for children readily available in the city?

A Most kids play in the Apartment complex ,if there is a good park near by then they go there. They also go to playschools like kangarookids.


Q Will the air pollution be a big problem for children? Will they need to wear masks when outside all the time?

A Will kids need to wear masks in New York ? If the answer there is no then its no here too. Consult your doctor .

Q Do children need to always be covered in deet for mosquitos assuming they are in the city? What about malaria medication?
A You need to consult your doc on this.

Q How did other families who moved to Mumbai deal with innoculations (yellow, typhoid, etc) for young ones?

A They consult their family doctor.

Q While we will likely have a car & driver, is that realistically the only method of transit within the city if you are with children? Are strollers useless?
Strollers are useful when going to malls etc.

__________________
It doesn't interest me what you do for a living.
I want to know what you ache for, and if you dare dream of meeting your heart's longing. Budget Hotels ]

Nick-H

No yellow fever here.

Welcome to Indiamike ,

People here can answer your questions, and help to highlight the real problems and their solutions, while cutting through some of the myths of moving to India.

Check out the other threads, not only about Mumbai but about living in other Indian cities, for general information. There's a good Health forum on the site (although, ultimately you should, as reccomended, take the advice of a doc who is experienced in these things (rather than one who just checks out the current publications)). And feel free to go on asking

__________________
.


Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Hemmie

We moved to Mumbai with our 1,5 year old son a couple of months ago, so I will try to answer your questions.

Where do caregivers/mothers/nannies take children to play? I have heard there are not many parks in Mumbai for children to get exercise and socialize. Do the children end up staying in the apartment all day?
We live in Hiranandani gardens, Powai, and are lucky to have a park (with grass area, slides, swings, etc.) next to our building. However, this really depends on the area where you live, so a good thing to consider when looking for an apartment.

Are there playgroups and other activities for children readily available in the city?
A lot of expat mothers and children are members of 'Hopping bunnies', and they meet every week for a playgroup at someone's apartment. Most children also go to nursery a couple of hours a day, often they can start when 1,5 years old.

Will the air pollution be a big problem for children? Will they need to wear masks when outside all the time?
We don't have any problem with it, but ofcourse it sepends on how sensitive your child is to this. Also, air polution is a lot worth further south in the city. Another thing to consider when househunting.

Do children need to always be covered in deet for mosquitos assuming they are in the city? What about malaria medication? So far I have not seen a lot of mosquitos, but I expect that to change when the monsoon hits Mumbai. Ask your doctor, but we were told ther is (almost) no malaria in the city, so no medication. But dengue is a problem!

How did other families who moved to Mumbai deal with innoculations (yellow, typhoid, etc) for young ones?
Consult your doctor. We just got all recommended vaccinations. Typhoid however was not given to our son yet, he needs to be 2 years old for that.

For families with experience, do you simply have to resign yourself to the fact that your children will get sick all the time?
Our son has hardly been ill since coming here, only 1 cold (which he would have had back home), and diarrhoea once, but since he kept drinking and eating that was no problem. Just take care of good hygiene, and it probably will be fine.

While we will likely have a car & driver, is that realistically the only method of transit within the city if you are with children? Are strollers useless?
As mentioned, strollers can be used in malls. I also use a buggy in our neighbourhood, but it will be hard to use in most parts of Mumbai. You could consider a back carrier, although you will be a tourist attraction with it. We also go by rickshaw a lot (we don't have a car yet), kids love them.

There are things to consider before moving here with small children, but I think kids adjust to it a lot quicker then us! Just make sure you are prepared, and accept the fact that things will be different, and everything will work out. There are plenty of expats here with families, so it clearly can be done!

Anilk222

Myths, myths, myths....please come down, and see how warm we people are...and your myths will change..yes , surely the problems we have here are also problems in NY, london, or whatever

CG_Max

Hello Hemmie-

We are considering a move to Mumbai from the US with a 2 year old. I really appreciate your answers to Suzzell's questions! Would you (or anyone else who is reading!) mind answering some of my questions too?

What have been your biggest challenges with having a toddler in Mumbai?
Are disposable diapers easy to come by?
Has anyone potty trained there?
Does anyone out there have a nanny? Is this a common thing?
I have read that most expats have maids but nothing about nannies.
What are the biggest challenges in taking your little one out shopping?
What is the atmosphere like when taking your toddler out for dinner? Is the city child friendly?
Is there anywhere that is not crowded and you can let your child run around and play?
I have been reading Time Out Mumbai (which does not give very favorable reviews of Mumbai as being child friendly) and I am very concerned about this. I don't want to be holed up in my apartment because I don't feel comfortable taking my son out and letting him play!

By the way, Hemmie, where are you from, if you don't mind me asking?

thanks for any answers!

capt_mahajan

Both my kids were born in Mumbai, so... answers inline, starting with A

Familyonthemove

I'd agree with all the comments given in this thread ...

Finding a good nanny may need some trial and error, but there's usually someone who can recommend a good one.

We use the beach as a park for playing outside ..... but you need to watch the (soft) cricket balls! We've also joined a local hotel club - which is great for the kids swimming pool but it's not cheap.

We bought my daughter a bike 7 months ago - and it must have gone about 20 feet since then - so you do need to adjust the way kids play.

I worry about disease in the monsoon and the stray dogs - but my daughter has been very healthy .... so far.

We have a mosquito prevention routine in the apartment. Always use screens when the windows are open. Do not leave the door open when speaking to the people who make deliveries, collect cash for bills etc. Spray the outside of the door and walls in the hallway with insecticide. Always use repellant if going out in the evening. But to be honest there were almost no 'macha' in the area from April to June.

One thing to look out for .... the unprovoked cheek pinch! Many Mumbaikers like kids .... and all kids seem to be a target for a friendly pinch on the cheeks. My daughter finds these 'drive by pinchings' very alarming - and often walks in the malls with her hands on her face whenever she sees someone taking an interest in her.

CG_Max

Thank you- your responses are making me feel a bit more at ease about taking my son there.
It was Time Out Mumbai that had me a bit frightened. It stated that, at first glance, Mumbai looks like the world's worst city for children. It then went on to say it is probably only the world's fourth or fifth worst! The entire book gives a pretty dismal view of Mumbai as muddy and dirty and concrete with little green space. Between that and Wallpaper's city guide- which makes Mumbai look like a glamourous city full of upscale shops and restaurants I didn't see much that is really child friendly. Coming from children's paradise, Portland, OR where trees are plentiful and kids are welcomed with play areas and crayons almost everywhere you go I was a little apprehensive.

My husband will be working in Worli which seems like the best place for us to live but what I have seen online for flats is too expensive. Are there affordable places (below $3000US/month) in Worli? Is this even a residential part of the city? On google maps it seems like a lot of big companies are there.

capt_mahajan

You can forget about plentiful trees in Mumbai. Kids may be welcomed with crayons by people, but there arent too many places where they can do this... and you can forget many public 'play areas' too.

Worli is a residential area as well as a commercial one. Some of the sea face apartments are decent. Can't comment on the 3000usd rental since my info is dated, but it seems possible. But a present day Mumbai resident will have better information.

Familyonthemove

It's not true to say that Mumbai is 'muddy and dirty with little green spaces' ...... there are no green spaces!

Rent is expensive, and so are electricity bills. There will be apartments within your budget - but finding good apartments can be a bit of chore.

I really think you need to see it before you make a final decision. It is a tough city for everyone who lives here ... but on the upside - the vast majority of people I've met have been very nice.

gaganarora

We are moving from the San Francisco Bay Area (Menlo Park) to Mumbai next month and all the research we have done till now has made it clear that there will be a major adjustment period. From our perspective, here are some areas of changes:

* From suburbs to city: I don't know where you are in Portland, but having lived with our kids both in big cities and US suburbs there will be a substantial difference in lifestyle, especially when it comes to kids. Personally I think the difference starts to become less of an issue the older your kids are - but something to watch for young kids.

* From house to apartment: Again don't know if you are currently in a house w/ backyard or high rise apartment, but especially with kids that adds another element of adjustment, especially with young kids. From what I understand Mumbai is almost all high rise apartments - though theoretically you can find buildings that have facilities for kids like a kid's play area, gardens, swimming pool etc.

* From US to India/Mumbai: I've heard different things - many people have said that moving from US to Mumbai is not such a big deal since Mumbai is so cosmopolitan, on the other hand we have also been asked to prepare ourselves for a shock.

Here is the advice I've noted from many people as we have done our research:

* Commute is one of the biggest hassle. From what I understand geographical distances are immaterial as going a few miles can take hours. Almost everyone has recommended to try and arrange some aspects of life (school, office, club) close by and that can make a big difference to the quality of life.

* Join a club. Mumbai has very limited public infrastructure for recreation - almost no parks etc. From what I understand membership to a club can greatly help in closing that gap. Again, try to join a club close to where you live otherwise you are probably not going to end up using it.

* Enjoy the country-side. Indian country-side is gorgeous, and there are some great day or weekend trip choices. Most of the country is also only a short flight hop away so you can see & travel quite a bit.

* Enjoy the people. Even though Mumbai is a mega city, everyone has mentioned that the people here are extremely warm and one thing you will not have any problems with is making friends - both within the local and expat communities. Depending on your perspective, for many people, the social aspects of Mumbai seem to outweigh other issues, and I've run into many expats who not only have loved their time in Mumbai, but have extended it beyond their original contract.

It will be an adventure for sure, and as with many things in India, your experience will really be guided by your outlook on life!

donkey

my 2 cents.. with rental prices going through the roof in the last year, you will be lucky to find something decent in worli or south of there for 3000usd a month..try closer to 5000usd.. that basis something with very 'western' standards - ie large kitchen and living areas, 2-3bedrooms with ensuites and quiet-ish area/compound or park close by... Bandra is probaly a better bet for reasonable rates and family friendly areas.