Bali with a Baby

[DeeLee]

My best friend is considering getting married in Bali. DD will be 10 months old, I have never been to Bali and am wondering whether it would be safe health wise to take her. She will still be being breast fed but will also be on solids.

[MyCheekyMonkey]

I think definitely safe! If you're worried about solid food for her over there, just take some packaged baby food (a friend of mine took raffertty's garden). And just be careful when bathing your DD that she doesn't try and have big gulps of the water.

[Me&MrMagoo]

Super safe !!

We took ds to meet his family when he was 6 months old ...

We took heaps of raffertys, but there is also alot of fruit that you could give her ie banana apple pear - just be sure you peel it yourself ...

And as jackia mentioned just make sure she doesn't gulp the bathwater!

Buy a $40 umbrella pram as anything else is too big for the pathways.

We took our own car seat but ds was littler than your dd will be, so it's up to you if you want to use one or not - they are NOT available over there.

If you need to know anything else just ask!

[ilovelucy]

We've taken DD twice, first time she was 8mo, 2nd when she was 14mo. Everyone loves babies over there and your DD will get alot of attention.

You can get Heinz baby foods at any of the major supermarkets, but again it about $3-5 a jar,so take your own, or use the local stuff, which is power you add to hot water (can get at any supermarket).

Remember the sunscreen, hat and rashie for the pool.

I'll second the cheap stroller to, we mainly used our as a highchair as well...

Where abouts would you be staying? And what time of year would the wedding be? PM me if you want some hotel recommendations or have any other Q's

[Vacant Visitor]

We took our DS to Bali when he was 11 months, and we all had a fantastic time!!! They love babies over there! I had intended to still be breastfeeding, but he weaned himself 2 weeks before we left. The Bali women really appreciate Westerner's breastfeeding, cause they like that we're not "too good" to do it, and formula is an expense they just can't afford.

I took all my baby's food with me, Raffertys is the best for that, cause its a lot lighter. But if you stay in a really good resort (like The Dynasty) you can pretty much trust that the food's gonna be decent. My boy just wanted to eat with us all the time, and in the end just ate the same as us. It was so hot, and he didn't have much of an appetite anyway. I did take disposable bottles, which helped with sterilising, which you have to do with bottled water. Make sure you buy large bottles from the supermarket, its cheaper that way.

Also take some red cordial (google it about Bali) and give your bub some first thing in the morning - not something I'd ever consider doing at home - but did just as a safety precausion.

Most of all, don't stress about anything. Its all so laid back & relaxed, and your baby will have a fantastic time, with so much attention coming from every direction. But you'll realise that as soon as you've been there a day or so.... Enjoy!!!

[DeeLee]

Thanks for all the replies

We are not staying at a hotel as such, more like these luxury hut things. But it sounds like they are used to kids. They put in some safety measures if you have kids coming i.e. a net up around the house as there is a little drop. They also grow all their own organic food.

A bit worried about the car seat thing, I'm wondering if taking my baby carrier and putting the seatbelt around me and then DD in the baby carrier might be an option.

We will not be doing much travelling as it is a get away from it all weekend with my friend who is getting married (looks like it is just us and her, her partner and their two kids). So we would only be needing a car to get too and from the airport.

[MelandBen]

Absolutely- I know heaps of people that take their children to Bali.

Make a visit to your GP before you go, and ask for them to prescribe something like gastro stop for little ones. That way you have it with you if your little one does get a tummy ache.

When we took DD to Singapore, the chemist recommended Ethical Nutrients Travel Bug tablets. You unscrew the tablet & put it in their milk once a day. It just gives them a boost for the immunity.

Good luck, relax, and enjoy the trip!!

[wish78]

Bali is great with kids. We've got a trip planned next year when DS will be 14months.
You can hire car seats, high chairs, portacots which are delivered to your accomodation. We've booked a car and driver for the duration and will install the hired car seat into the car ourselves. Balibabyhire.com

Have a great time.

[winterbaby]

This post couldn't of popped up at a better time, we just booked a trip to bali yesterday. Its for next year and DD will be 12months. We have been to bali plenty of times but this is the first time with a baby. things like nappies are they pretty inexpensive there or is it best to pack our own? I will bring her own food as a precaution but she should be able to eat a lot of what we will eat.

[TinkerBlueBelle]

We went when our Ds was 21 months old and it was great. He was very popular with all the locals, every time we walked down the street the shop vendors would call out his name across the road and wave at him. They LOVE little boys, it is a great thing in their culture to have a son!

Anyway we didn't use the pram as the foot paths were not really suitable (stayed in Legian). We took a hiking back pack for DS and he sat in that most of the time (it had a sunshade and rain coat thingy).

Car seats aren't really used, he sat on our lap in taxi's and buses. You'll be amazed to see whole families complete with newborn babies on scooter when travelling on the roads, totally different way of life.

We took packaged baby food, mainly tins. He ate some of what we ate. I took his milk (longlife soy) too and a bottle, however was unable to sterilise and ended up giving him a cup and a straw.

Bought large bottles of bottled water each day to drink. Don't have ice in your drinks either as you get sick doing that.

Gave him baths but didn't let him put his head/face in water, just wiped his face with a cloth. Used bottled water to brush teeth.

Get travel insurance that covers medical. Both DH and I got sick and Dr's came to the room twice and supplied medication, insurance refunded all our expenses (keep some emergency cash spare for this for your stay).

Pool water seemed to be fine with DS, he did swallow a bit as kids do but he never was sick, must be the chlorine?

You'll have a great time!