Thanks for all the input. I wasn't actually asking if we should go, but it seems like a lot of people have very strong opinions on the matter. The getting there really isn't a big deal. Lots of ways to break the flights up and see other things a long the way. I also think it would be great to experience Burma with my son. I don't think it will detract from the trip and we can always go back when we are in SEA again if we feel like there is something we have missed. It seems like more people on the Thorntree Forum have traveled with small kids and are more open to it. I will be talking to my sons doctor next week and researching some of the medical issues more. It seems like SOS has a good clinic in Yangon and a good evac policy. Still leaning towards going. I think we may book the airfare next week. We can always decide to go to Koh Samui or somewhere"safer" when it comes time to make the final decision.

Lisa, many posters on this forum traveled a lot with our own children. The difference may be that many of us here are a bit older than on Thorntree.

Experience taught us that traveling with a toddler is not the same as traveling with an immobile, nursing infant or with an older child who can safely wear mosquito repellent or have appropriate vaccinations.

The odds are that your son will be perfectly fine, but in my case, we had a couple of scares while traveling with our kids. Though it all worked out okay, we learned that when things go wrong in some places, they can go terribly wrong fast.

Every place is safe until the momment it is not.

lcuy, ditto. My conservative approach is not because I haven't traveled to weird and wonderful places with a toddler, but because I have!

Interesting article today on how Burma's coping with an influx of tourism:

http://news.yahoo.com/myanmar-strugg...061219136.html

I wouldn't presume to make your decision for you, but I think I would be remiss if I didn't tell you about the health issues I'm aware of in traveling to Burma.

I'm also a member of the Thorntree community. There are certainly people there who have traveled with young children, just like there are here. The ethic on Thorntree is to minimize inconveniences and dangers. One of the most prolific posters there (whose expertise on Burma I respect) is unmarried and childless, but he regularly advises parents of small children to take the buses in Burma because he's seen kids on the buses who were content and sleeping. Many of the posters there pooh-pooh the whole issue of anti-malarials, immunizations, etc. I think some of the posters there may be young enough that they still think they are bullet-proof.

So both forums have their own biases. Getting perspectives from both communities should help you in your decision-making.

Good advice, Kathie, as are a lot of the comments here. What one is willing to try in one's 20s, 30s, and even early 40s is usually very different from the risks one will take in one's later years I know that's true with me. Experience is so often the only teacher--but the kind of health problems/risks a very young child may be susceptible to could be very tricky to use for the experience test.

Too many of our friends and acquaintances have had life-threatening situations on their travels for us now to travel without medical insurance or med-evac. We never even thought of it in earlier journeys. Unfortunately, some colleagues (kidnapping/shot in Kenya) haven't survived to tell the tale. This kind of personal knowledge certainly has colored our decisions, but we're still traveling'--and not only on the well-trod path, much like so many--if not the majority of Fodorites. If you're lucky, life is long and the wonders of travel will continue to be exciting and available.

Bumping up this thread because i"m curious to see if you ever went to Burma. One of my best friends from college lives in Burma and I'm crazily thinking of going to visit her before her time in country is over. It would be me and my almost 2 year old. Please tell me you went and give me some advice!
Thanks,
if' you'd like to email instead, my email is screen name at yahoo.com