ssrvj
News Item in The Hindu,a National daily published from Chennai,India.
2/2/2009-Monday-search Yahoo/Google for photo (a rare Aasana )
KARUR: A Karur lass has courted international acclaim by claiming the overall championship in the 16th International Yoga Festival held recently in Puducherry(old Pondichery).
Coveting glory is not new for 13-year-old S. Sabarithaa who bagged the championship in the female category at the yoga festival besting over 200 competitors from India, China, France, Russia, Hong Kong, Japan, the United States and Germany. She stood first in the preliminary competition. Then came the real test _ she had to test her skills with winners from six other categories for the championship title.
That Sabarithaa did with élan scoring pretty high with her acrobatic skills in the practical side of the competition that saw her perform 10 optional asanas and showing remarkable theoretical acumen in the viva voce part of the competition. The Eighth Standard student of the KVBOA Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Karur, had achieved in 2009 what she had yearned over the past four years.
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OK.. bravo little Sabarithaa
OK.. bravo little Sabarithaa
Regarding flight trip with a 6 month old?
Akshu
Hi I am taking my 6 month old boy to India this month end. What are the do's and dont's that I have to follow when i reach India(as its peak summer that time). Also let me know the facilities available for infants in Singapore airlines. What must i be prepared for the flight??
thanks so much in advance.
I am traveling from San francisco to Chennai
Answer
I'm a former Flight Attendant and I now fly a lot with my own three children. We usually travel between Europe and California about twice a year. I've never flown Singapore Airlines. We usually go the other direction. I've worked trips into Delhi but I haven't been to Chennai.
Six months is actually a good age to travel. It gets trickier when they can run! You may have him crawling all over the place but for the most part, you'll be able to keep up with him.
The one thing I know about Singapore Airlines is that you're sure to get good customer service. They have HUGE crews. I was floored when I saw their armies of F/A's coming off flights. Many are teenagers. There are not the age limitations that you find on western companies so don't be shocked to see kids just out of school serving you.
I have never used any sort of medications to get my children to sleep on any of those flights. At that age especially, they do nodd off at some point of the journey, more if it's at night.
I also think he's too young for a portable DVD player. I got one when my youngest was 3 years old. They are kind of heavy to cart around and could easily break. How much screen watching does he do? Mine were not very interested, especially with a small screen, at that age.
Bring a few quiet toys but a small selection. Again, short attention spans and he'll be more interested in his new surroundings.
First of all, I really recommend bringing a car seat and using it onboard. Make sure your car seat is approved for use on aircraft. Unfortunately, Singapore Airlines does not allow infant bucket-style seats or any rear-facing seats. As you know, your child is safer rear-facing as a Flight Attendant, I'm a little at a loss as to why they even have this rule;
http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/before/plan/specialneeds.jsp#Header5
If you can use your seat on board, the seat will get to your destination without risking it being damaged or lost in luggage.
If you don't have a seat for him, request it at check-in. Ask if the flight is full, and if not, they can "block" the seat next to you, only using it if they really need it. They often do this for families.
Bring the seat to the gate, even if they are unsure that you'll get a seat. This way, if you don't manage it, they will "gate check" your seat, sending it down with the strollers and wheelchairs. This is gentlier than checking it in at the desk.
I also recommend trying to sit at the bulkhead. These are the seats with the wall in front, located in different places depending on the aircraft. Bulkheads are easier with children since no one is leaning in front of you and there's probably room to crawl on the floor.
If you have a travel system, you can use the stroller until you get to the door of the aircraft and then it'll be "gate checked".. You'll have it again, by the door of the aircraft when you arrive. If you have a convertible car seat (going to 40lbs), there are a number of contraptions you can use to wheel it around. Not promoting these sites! Just examples;
http://www.gogobabyz.com/products/gogo_kids.html
http://www.amazon.com/Traveling-Toddler-Attach-Rolling-Carry/dp/B000JHN3AS
http://www.onestepahead.com/product/osa/363756.html
I simply strap mine to a small metal luggage cart and that works great.
If you do have a stroller, bring a bungee cord and double secure it before leaving it at the door of the plane. They can get damaged if they pop open en route. Make sure the claim ticket can be seen and isn't squished or hidden. Be sure to ask when disembarking where the stroller is.
Bring at least 1/3 more diapers than you think you'll need. I saw so many parents run out on flights when I was working! Wrap them in plastic bags and throw a bunch of rubber bands around them to save room in your carry-on.
For a formula fed baby, I really recommend using the bottles with plastic liners. Traditional bottles are too difficult to wash onboard because of the kind of sinks on airplanes. I premeasured the powder and rolled them up, placing the rolls in a ziplock bag. Then you throw the liners away as you use them and only have the ring and nipple to clean.
If you use bottled water, be sure to give yourself enough time to buy some once you're past security. Make sure you have enough! The water on the aircraft is filtered tap so decide if you're comfortable using that for your baby. Bottled water runs out fast on flights and we never had any extra for baby bottles.
Be sure you baby does not need the bottle warmed. Get him used to a room-temperature bottle before leaving. This is unnecessary health-wise and a real pain to do while travelling. I warmed many bottles on my flights but I wasn't there in the check-in line, the security line or the waiting area! Babies do great with room-temperature bottles.
Make sure you have at least one change of clothes. I would bring two for such a long journey. At that age, I simply dressed mine in sleep suits for flying. No one will care so keep him comfortable. Bring extra socks if he crawls so that he doesn't pick up anything nasty on the floor and to keep his hands clean.
Hopefully you have a good baby carrier. They're so useful for flying, especially at this age. I had a sling but other parents swear by their wraps and pouches. The Ergo and Beccos are other popular carriers for travel that go on the back.
I liked the sling because I could slide my babies from into and out of a stroller or car seat without waking them. It also doubled as a blanket, baby changer, breastfeeding cover-up and sunshade! My sling was magic for calming my babies during the flight. Other parents wanted one when they saw how easy it made my travels. Avoid front packs like the Bjorn since they're so bad for both the parents' and child's back. A good carrier should go to at least age 2.
Many flying tips say to make the child suck on something or drink during take-off and landing. This isn't accurate. ENT specialists say to have the child awake about an hour before landing (top of descent, landing or touch-down is too late).
http://www.entcda.com/AAOHNSF/earsandaltitude.htm
I can confirm that is when I saw problems at work. Take your child to the doctor in the last few days before you fly to make sure his ears are clear and infection-free. Heathy ears can handle pressurization changes.
About 8 years ago, I wrote an article on flying with children for an expat newsletter. Over the years many parents have contributed, both on line and in Real Life. I later put it on a blog so that parents had access to non-commercial information from someone with both practical and professional experience on the web.
http://flyingwithchildren.blogspot.com
Hope it goes smoothly and have a good trip!
I'm a former Flight Attendant and I now fly a lot with my own three children. We usually travel between Europe and California about twice a year. I've never flown Singapore Airlines. We usually go the other direction. I've worked trips into Delhi but I haven't been to Chennai.
Six months is actually a good age to travel. It gets trickier when they can run! You may have him crawling all over the place but for the most part, you'll be able to keep up with him.
The one thing I know about Singapore Airlines is that you're sure to get good customer service. They have HUGE crews. I was floored when I saw their armies of F/A's coming off flights. Many are teenagers. There are not the age limitations that you find on western companies so don't be shocked to see kids just out of school serving you.
I have never used any sort of medications to get my children to sleep on any of those flights. At that age especially, they do nodd off at some point of the journey, more if it's at night.
I also think he's too young for a portable DVD player. I got one when my youngest was 3 years old. They are kind of heavy to cart around and could easily break. How much screen watching does he do? Mine were not very interested, especially with a small screen, at that age.
Bring a few quiet toys but a small selection. Again, short attention spans and he'll be more interested in his new surroundings.
First of all, I really recommend bringing a car seat and using it onboard. Make sure your car seat is approved for use on aircraft. Unfortunately, Singapore Airlines does not allow infant bucket-style seats or any rear-facing seats. As you know, your child is safer rear-facing as a Flight Attendant, I'm a little at a loss as to why they even have this rule;
http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/before/plan/specialneeds.jsp#Header5
If you can use your seat on board, the seat will get to your destination without risking it being damaged or lost in luggage.
If you don't have a seat for him, request it at check-in. Ask if the flight is full, and if not, they can "block" the seat next to you, only using it if they really need it. They often do this for families.
Bring the seat to the gate, even if they are unsure that you'll get a seat. This way, if you don't manage it, they will "gate check" your seat, sending it down with the strollers and wheelchairs. This is gentlier than checking it in at the desk.
I also recommend trying to sit at the bulkhead. These are the seats with the wall in front, located in different places depending on the aircraft. Bulkheads are easier with children since no one is leaning in front of you and there's probably room to crawl on the floor.
If you have a travel system, you can use the stroller until you get to the door of the aircraft and then it'll be "gate checked".. You'll have it again, by the door of the aircraft when you arrive. If you have a convertible car seat (going to 40lbs), there are a number of contraptions you can use to wheel it around. Not promoting these sites! Just examples;
http://www.gogobabyz.com/products/gogo_kids.html
http://www.amazon.com/Traveling-Toddler-Attach-Rolling-Carry/dp/B000JHN3AS
http://www.onestepahead.com/product/osa/363756.html
I simply strap mine to a small metal luggage cart and that works great.
If you do have a stroller, bring a bungee cord and double secure it before leaving it at the door of the plane. They can get damaged if they pop open en route. Make sure the claim ticket can be seen and isn't squished or hidden. Be sure to ask when disembarking where the stroller is.
Bring at least 1/3 more diapers than you think you'll need. I saw so many parents run out on flights when I was working! Wrap them in plastic bags and throw a bunch of rubber bands around them to save room in your carry-on.
For a formula fed baby, I really recommend using the bottles with plastic liners. Traditional bottles are too difficult to wash onboard because of the kind of sinks on airplanes. I premeasured the powder and rolled them up, placing the rolls in a ziplock bag. Then you throw the liners away as you use them and only have the ring and nipple to clean.
If you use bottled water, be sure to give yourself enough time to buy some once you're past security. Make sure you have enough! The water on the aircraft is filtered tap so decide if you're comfortable using that for your baby. Bottled water runs out fast on flights and we never had any extra for baby bottles.
Be sure you baby does not need the bottle warmed. Get him used to a room-temperature bottle before leaving. This is unnecessary health-wise and a real pain to do while travelling. I warmed many bottles on my flights but I wasn't there in the check-in line, the security line or the waiting area! Babies do great with room-temperature bottles.
Make sure you have at least one change of clothes. I would bring two for such a long journey. At that age, I simply dressed mine in sleep suits for flying. No one will care so keep him comfortable. Bring extra socks if he crawls so that he doesn't pick up anything nasty on the floor and to keep his hands clean.
Hopefully you have a good baby carrier. They're so useful for flying, especially at this age. I had a sling but other parents swear by their wraps and pouches. The Ergo and Beccos are other popular carriers for travel that go on the back.
I liked the sling because I could slide my babies from into and out of a stroller or car seat without waking them. It also doubled as a blanket, baby changer, breastfeeding cover-up and sunshade! My sling was magic for calming my babies during the flight. Other parents wanted one when they saw how easy it made my travels. Avoid front packs like the Bjorn since they're so bad for both the parents' and child's back. A good carrier should go to at least age 2.
Many flying tips say to make the child suck on something or drink during take-off and landing. This isn't accurate. ENT specialists say to have the child awake about an hour before landing (top of descent, landing or touch-down is too late).
http://www.entcda.com/AAOHNSF/earsandaltitude.htm
I can confirm that is when I saw problems at work. Take your child to the doctor in the last few days before you fly to make sure his ears are clear and infection-free. Heathy ears can handle pressurization changes.
About 8 years ago, I wrote an article on flying with children for an expat newsletter. Over the years many parents have contributed, both on line and in Real Life. I later put it on a blog so that parents had access to non-commercial information from someone with both practical and professional experience on the web.
http://flyingwithchildren.blogspot.com
Hope it goes smoothly and have a good trip!
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