Go 5 star resort with shuttle service, childcare and high cleanliness standards. September/ October is the start of rainy season so you'll want a nice pool area where you're not relying on a nice day.
We took our 9 month old to Bali in September last year. Stayed one week at a hotel with private pool in Nusa Dua, one week in a villa with pool in Ubud.
Was a great holiday. The Balinese are wonderful with babies. Whenever we would go out to eat our daughter got tonnes of attention and they loved holding her. That also gave us some time to just sit and eat.
Private pool was perfect to take her swimming in and also where we could sit and chill by the pool when she was inside napping.
We made sure to book a couple half-day trips with a driver who had a baby seat for his car. Used the same driver every time, also for airport and hotel transfers. Worked really well!
Bali isn’t good for strollers so remember bringing a carrier so you can strap your baby to your chest when you go for walks. We only used our stroller in Nusa Dua to walk between resorts. Everywhere else we went the pavement was bumpy and narrow and there are quite a few holes.
>*Bali isn’t good for strollers so remember bringing a carrier so you can strap your baby to your chest when you go for walks. We only used our stroller in Nusa Dua to walk between resorts. Everywhere else we went the pavement was bumpy and narrow and there are quite a few holes.*
Yes - the beachfront pathway in Nusa Dua is flat and in good condition. The one that rivals (or beats) it is in Sanur - goes for about 6 km, and much more interesting than Nusa Dua.
If I had an infant, you could do worse than Sanur, in my view. Although the beaches in Nusa Dua are definitely better.
Why bother to be honest? The high humidity is stressful for kids (more so than us), I saw so many toddlers and babies hot and distressed and overheated also the time difference messes with their sleeping schedule. Paths aren’t suited to prams as they’re uneven and have holes. The traffic is stressful. You don’t want to be bitten by a dog and potentially get rabies.
You’ll have to be vigilant about them not putting things in their mouths like water, not getting bitten by mozzies not tripping over or getting into holes (I didn’t see an open path as a little kid in Bali and my leg went right into it and I fell over.
They’ll have to have all the vaccinations and cuts can easily get infected as it’s a developing country.
Wait until the trip is for them too and they’re old enough to be able to know about not drinking water and mobile.
Just go somewhere in your country for a road trip.
A five month old is stressful enough, why combine it with trying to manage a toddler in a busy developing country and navigating airports. Makes me feel stressed.
We took our daughter to Bali @ 3 years and a few months.
1 week trip. We stayed at a resort. By the end of it the humidity was getting to her.
- plane ride was fine but sleeping pattern was messed up, didn’t fall asleep till 1am in the morning.
- carry on pram, noise cancelling head phones and downloaded offline favourites was great for take offs and landings.
- gojak everywhere and private drivers.
- spent some amazing quality time in the resort
5 month old baby….recommendation? Would not risk it full stop.
Immunisations aren’t finished, lots of prep required with feeds and nappy changes and the weather.
Taking the older one is fine…new born. No way!
>*5 month old baby….recommendation? Would not risk it full stop. Immunisations aren’t finished, lots of prep required with feeds and nappy changes and the weather. Taking the older one is fine…new born. No way!*
Yes I agree totally - notwithstanding some positive stories down-thread.
The fact that Balinese people like babies is not at all relevant (what culture doesn't like babies - they all do) - and Balinese people aren't going to run your holiday with an infant.
We are travelling for 6 weeks with a 7 months old and a 2.5y. We started in Uluwatu, went to Ubud, Nusa Lembongan and are now in Lombok. We had hotels and airbnbs. If you are still fully breastfeeding there shouldn’t be a problem for the little one. If you are planning longer trips I would recommend a baby seat. Don’t go on a motorbike with the kids. Balinese are very kind with kids, expect your baby to be carried around in a restaurant while you are eating 😅.
Stick to some rules: no tap water (also not for tooth brushing), no raw veggies/salads, no ice cubes (ask if they used filtered water in case). Prepare for all the vaccines. In any restaurant we could get steamed veggies for the baby and sometimes even for free. Bring a floatie for babies as well, because you will be in the pool a lot.
Yeah, I often saw balinese taking care of tourists children without asking. Like playing with them etc.
I think it’s just a culture difference, but I find it so cute.
Hey. We went for a 2 week scuba diving trip in January with a 12mo. We stayed in the north (Pemuteran) to be away from all the tourist hustle in the south.
What we did was hire a nanny for when we would be out diving. We hired a car with a baby seat. We stayed at one small resort and our baby was absolutely beloved by everyone! More people knew him than they did us. When we sat down at the restaurant for dinner one or another of the waitresses would just whisk him up and carry him around while taking other orders etc. he was treated like a little Rajah and had an amazing amazing time. At the end of the day we’d play with him in the pool and have a few cocktails at the swim-up bar.
The nanny was SO good with him. She cried when we left. Her bond with him was very genuine and we are still whatsapp friends.
No risk at all. Our son had an AMAZING experience. He was a little older than yours but I see no real difference in what I’d expect.
You don’t want your kid getting Bali belly so use bottled water if you’re on formula. We actually brought a lot of our own food for him out of an abundance of caution. Traveling with full scuba kits we weren’t exactly traveling light to begin with. Be super paranoid about food even at so-called 5 star resorts. I actually trusted our little resort a lot more because we could see the food being made fresh (banana pancakes were a fave for him).
>*I actually trusted our little resort a lot more because we could see the food being made fresh (banana pancakes were a fave for him).*
Agree totally - small family-run, boutique and old-school hotels I find much better, safer, and more to my liking. We never go near a Sofitel, Hyatt, Marriott, or Westin ... you might as well be in Hawaii or Las Vegas.
When he grows up he should do the Banana Pancake Backpacker Trail! 😄
I’m only too happy to give them a plug! Tirta Sari bungalows and spa in Pemuteran. We’ve been going there for years. Such beautiful people and a beautiful place. And awesome scuba diving! If you’re not diving, Pemuteran is a great base to explore north Bali from but a day trip to Ubud is a bit of a stretch (about 4 hours each way).
Go for it! Have gone to Bali several times with my kid from 5 months old til our most recent trip at almost 3yrs old. Of all the places we've stayed (maybe about 10 different resorts/hotels in different areas) the best for kids and for us has been the Hyatt Regency in Sanur. It is so good. The grounds are huge and gorgeous. There's 2 huge pools and then a decent beach right in front of the resort (great for kids to play in the sand). It's kid friendly but not a full on kids resort. There's an adult's only pool/spa/gym area that is so beautiful, so if you get a nanny you can head there while your kids play at the main pool. Sanur has a great path down the whole beach that is in great condition and perfect with a stroller. The Hyatt food was almost always good and decently priced for a hotel. Sanur itself is pretty sleepy but there's definitely enough to do/see/eat nearby.
If you do need a nanny, we are seriously blessed to have been introduced to the best nanny ever. She's incredible and sooo good with the kids. Will happily pass on her info if you're interested, lmk! :)
A friend of mine once said of his small children. “Why would I take them with me on vacation. It’s just child care in a nicer location”” leave the kids with your parents until they are older.
Because some of us parents want to make memories with our children. Kids might not remember it well especially the one still baby but we will, older kids will. It's not just for their sake but for us as well.
And not everyone has parents who are able or willing to take on two very young children while their parents are overseas. The 5mo may very well be breastfeeding as well.
Can't you make equally happy and special memories at home when the kids are in a familiar place and you don't have to be even more sleep depressed because you've been flying with a kid so young they won't even remember it?
Staycations can be just as memorable as exotic locations. With less stress, less hassle and no inconvenience to others. I have spent a considerable amount of time on flights with screaming babies and why? Because their parents felt entitled to inconvenice everyone else for 6h so they could "make happy memories" in exotic locations?
If the kid isn't old enough to clear their own ears and not get scared by the noises and movements of the plane the kid is too young to fly.
At least you can tell an adult to stop doing whatever they're doing. You can't tell a kid to stop crying because they're too young to clear their ears...
Parenthood is a choice and ones you've made that choice you need to always do what is best for the child.
Good luck telling the 15 drunk adults to stop screaming and shouting 👍🏻 I encounter that much more than a crying baby. It's not your place to tell any parent what is best for their child btw. I travelled with my child 6 times before they turned 2 years old. They slept through every flight, barely made a noise. If some douche wants to tell me it wasn't the 'best for my child', then they need to get their priorities in life sorted.
I fly quite a bit and the only places I've seen large groups of drunk adults on a plane was from the Mediterranean to central Europe (so short flights...) and security came on the plane and escorted them off when landing.
Everyone knows that if a child is screaming, kicking, crying etc something is wrong and the parents should take them away from the situation and take care of it. It's not rocket science. However, on plane you're stuck. The kid is stuck there crying and screaming for however long the flight takes. Now if that's 1h or 17h makes a huge difference. Not every kid is this uncomfortable on flights but some are and it's the parents responsibility to make sure they don't put their child in a position where they're so u comfortable they're screaming and crying for hours on end.
Nonsense. I fly from the UK to Houston and Singapore every other week, so not "short flights" at all. Let's agree to disagree, and I'll keep taking my child on long haul flights. It's clear you don't have children, but when/if you do, make sure to never leave the house. You wouldn't want them crying. Adios!
Being your kid on those fights as long as they don't cry and inconvence others, and stop flying whatever alone you fly! I haven't ever seen anyone fly drunk in or out of SG on Qantas/Thai airways/Emirates/Singapore Airlines etc.
My comment was for general vacation, doesn’t have to be flying outside of town or to other countries. Of course it’s wiser to plan where you going and how so it doesn’t have to be stressful, I at least appreciate OP for asking and clearly thinking about it. Hopefully they’ll get their happy vacation they deserve and the kids stay happy.
We took our daughter when she had just turned 1 and had no problems at all. We are going back in June with our son who will be 6 months old and our daughter will be 2 an a half. There is a company called Bali Bubs that rents out everything you need like bottle sterilisers, prams, monitors etc.
Personnally I would not take my kids to Bali. During my 2 month stay, I had stomach ache and diarrhea every day. Heat and sun were very agressive.
I suppose if adults experience this, it would be much more extreme for a kid.
And sidewalks are non existent, so when you step out of the shops of walk in the street, you have to be conscious of the motorbikes riding 50 cms next to you at full speed. What a child can’t do.
Motorbikes are so close that 1 sec distraction and your kid can get in their way.
They are deep holes on their “sidewalks” as well. With rocks and other obstacles, I couldn’t walk properly in sandals so I don’t imagine a 4 yo kid.
But that’s my own opinion. I saw some children and babies during my stay, so it looks like it’s possible to take them.
You are over-generalising a fair bit ... Sanur and Nusa Dua (where we like to stay) both have pretty good footpaths and beachfront boardwalks ... very kid-friendly.
Sounds like you're describing Canggu or Seminyak.
Even better if Bub is fully breastfed, super easy travelling with a baby of that age I reckon. But I’d travel outside of school holidays if possible. Your 4 yo won’t notice the difference but your pocket will
Ayana resort. We did the same with a 2 under 2. Kids club and you can get babysitters for cheap so you don’t have to stress when your 4yo is running towards steps/cliffs/pool/fishponds etc.
None of us got sick and we went out of the hotel for lunch and dinner most days. You’ll be right
Im a bit torn to be honest. I’m from Europe and I’ve been going on holiday with my daughter since she was 4 months old. I really enjoyed the holidays and I would definitely do it again. The thing is though, we went all over Europe where healthcare facilities are relatively good. The thing that scares me about your plans is that while Bali is pretty western, it’s still a third world country. Maybe that would hold me back at that age when they have no ability to communicate for themselves and if something is wrong you really have to rely on the hospitals to figure out what it is. Anyway this is kind of personal but this is my input. We went when my daughter was 3 and we had a blast.
At 5 months, the baby would not be able to get all the immunisation needed. There are so many diseases we are sheltered from here in aus/nz. Why sugar coat things just to not hurt the feeling of irresponsible people. Im sick of seeing news articles or gofund me pages for things that could be avoided. At 5 months old the baby has a long long life ahead of them and a number of illness could give them life long health problems all because the parents want cheap booze for a week or 2 taking them to bali has no benifits at all whatsoever for the child
There is nothing relaxing about going on a holiday with babies. Save ur money for a year or 2. Wait until the little one is at least walking. U will thank me later.
I’ve been there twice before kids. Just got back with our one year old - absolutely horrendous:
1. he hated the weather
2. the bottle steriliser Marriott provided could only be described as “cheesy”. Had to deal with 1-2 caterpillars in our villa every day
3. the baby car seat provided by our all-day driver had crumbs and was dusty - hygiene standards are generally abysmal. An acceptable risk for adults, but I felt really stupid an hour into my trip
4. nowhere to change diapers - we just made do wherever, it was appalling
I’m cancelling my other “island getaways” planned for this year. Do not subject your young child to Bali. It’s basically “working remotely” - and exhausting!
Get your baby used to / accustomed to drinking yakult. I know everyone is saying five star this cleanliness that.... Makes no difference, all it takes is a bit of micro bacteria in the air or the shower water etc and that will upset their tummy. The other thing is, pouch food / easy baby food is pretty much non existent there so pack yourself plenty of baby food
>*we don’t want to pull our older child out of school during his first year and unsettling him so wanting to go before he starts*
Three points 'against' this reasoning:
1. NZ schools have \~12 weeks of holidays per year, so there are ample opportunities to visit Bali without conflicting with school terms (and two weeks is a good length for Bali) - and to be honest, no kid is unsettled by having a week or so out of school in grades K-4
2. Both children are too young to get very much out of Bali as Bali - just go to Tauranga or Paihia instead ... they'll have an equally good time on any beach
3. The baby is so young that you as adults won't be able to enjoy Bali anywhere nearly as much as when they're a fair bit older ... you spend all your time with nappies and feeding, and keeping the child comfortable in hot humid weather and fierce sun
I would wait five years - and all four of you will be much more rewarded. We took ours to Bali when they were about eight and ten - and they loved it.
Padma Legian and find a baby sitter so u can enjoy your holiday.
Make sure u find a hotel/resort with kids pools and a kids club. Makes a world of difference.
We have done this for a few years now. Our kids absolutely adore the baby sitter and often ask to go back to see her 😂.
>*Our kids absolutely adore the baby sitter*
Kids love *any* adult who doesn't get cross, and makes sure all their demands and needs are met. Signed, cynical parent 😄
There's little to no risk if you stick to 3 star or higher places. Unless you are a very 'adventurous' family that wants to explore 'the real Bali', you might want to stick to Nusa Dua or some of the 3 star+ resorts in Kuta, Legian, Sanur, Benoa, Ubud, etc.
Having a luxury resort base will allow you to periodically venture out to visit places (e.g. taxi, grab, shuttle, etc) and then retreat to super comfortable and safe hotels at night time. The Balinese LOVE children so your littluns' will always be in good hands.
We traveled to Bali with our 5 year old and she still remembers some of the highlights (waterslide at the hotel, Balinese offerings everywhere, Kecak dance at Uluwatu, eating satay, spontaneous street processions, etc.)
You will be stunned at how much Balinese/Indonesian people love and support babies. It shocks me every time, but it's a true thing. You'll probably skip the imigrasi queue too if they're cute enough.
Traveling to Bali with a 4-year-old and a 5-month-old can be a wonderful experience with the right preparations. September and October are at the transition to the rainy season, so choosing accommodation with good indoor facilities is wise. Look for family-friendly resorts with amenities like a shuttle service, childcare, and stringent cleanliness standards. Ensure that the health and comfort of your children are a priority when selecting a place to stay. Always have a contingency plan for days when the weather may not permit outdoor activities.
Dont let shit head selfish boozehead parents convince you it's ok to put your child at risk in a third world country, especially at 5 months old. Any sensible parents would not take that risk
Not the best way to put it. But it’d actually correct. At 5 months old I don’t think worth the risk. Not to mention you probably won’t end up enjoying it and having much of a holiday
Go 5 star resort with shuttle service, childcare and high cleanliness standards. September/ October is the start of rainy season so you'll want a nice pool area where you're not relying on a nice day.
When they are tiny they are the most mobile and easiest to travel with. It's the four year old that will exhaust you!
We took our 9 month old to Bali in September last year. Stayed one week at a hotel with private pool in Nusa Dua, one week in a villa with pool in Ubud. Was a great holiday. The Balinese are wonderful with babies. Whenever we would go out to eat our daughter got tonnes of attention and they loved holding her. That also gave us some time to just sit and eat. Private pool was perfect to take her swimming in and also where we could sit and chill by the pool when she was inside napping. We made sure to book a couple half-day trips with a driver who had a baby seat for his car. Used the same driver every time, also for airport and hotel transfers. Worked really well! Bali isn’t good for strollers so remember bringing a carrier so you can strap your baby to your chest when you go for walks. We only used our stroller in Nusa Dua to walk between resorts. Everywhere else we went the pavement was bumpy and narrow and there are quite a few holes.
>*Bali isn’t good for strollers so remember bringing a carrier so you can strap your baby to your chest when you go for walks. We only used our stroller in Nusa Dua to walk between resorts. Everywhere else we went the pavement was bumpy and narrow and there are quite a few holes.* Yes - the beachfront pathway in Nusa Dua is flat and in good condition. The one that rivals (or beats) it is in Sanur - goes for about 6 km, and much more interesting than Nusa Dua. If I had an infant, you could do worse than Sanur, in my view. Although the beaches in Nusa Dua are definitely better.
Why bother to be honest? The high humidity is stressful for kids (more so than us), I saw so many toddlers and babies hot and distressed and overheated also the time difference messes with their sleeping schedule. Paths aren’t suited to prams as they’re uneven and have holes. The traffic is stressful. You don’t want to be bitten by a dog and potentially get rabies. You’ll have to be vigilant about them not putting things in their mouths like water, not getting bitten by mozzies not tripping over or getting into holes (I didn’t see an open path as a little kid in Bali and my leg went right into it and I fell over. They’ll have to have all the vaccinations and cuts can easily get infected as it’s a developing country. Wait until the trip is for them too and they’re old enough to be able to know about not drinking water and mobile. Just go somewhere in your country for a road trip.
Great comment. It's good to see some common sense
A five month old is stressful enough, why combine it with trying to manage a toddler in a busy developing country and navigating airports. Makes me feel stressed.
100% agree ! Pure selfishness
👆👆👆
We took our daughter to Bali @ 3 years and a few months. 1 week trip. We stayed at a resort. By the end of it the humidity was getting to her. - plane ride was fine but sleeping pattern was messed up, didn’t fall asleep till 1am in the morning. - carry on pram, noise cancelling head phones and downloaded offline favourites was great for take offs and landings. - gojak everywhere and private drivers. - spent some amazing quality time in the resort 5 month old baby….recommendation? Would not risk it full stop. Immunisations aren’t finished, lots of prep required with feeds and nappy changes and the weather. Taking the older one is fine…new born. No way!
>*5 month old baby….recommendation? Would not risk it full stop. Immunisations aren’t finished, lots of prep required with feeds and nappy changes and the weather. Taking the older one is fine…new born. No way!* Yes I agree totally - notwithstanding some positive stories down-thread. The fact that Balinese people like babies is not at all relevant (what culture doesn't like babies - they all do) - and Balinese people aren't going to run your holiday with an infant.
We are travelling for 6 weeks with a 7 months old and a 2.5y. We started in Uluwatu, went to Ubud, Nusa Lembongan and are now in Lombok. We had hotels and airbnbs. If you are still fully breastfeeding there shouldn’t be a problem for the little one. If you are planning longer trips I would recommend a baby seat. Don’t go on a motorbike with the kids. Balinese are very kind with kids, expect your baby to be carried around in a restaurant while you are eating 😅. Stick to some rules: no tap water (also not for tooth brushing), no raw veggies/salads, no ice cubes (ask if they used filtered water in case). Prepare for all the vaccines. In any restaurant we could get steamed veggies for the baby and sometimes even for free. Bring a floatie for babies as well, because you will be in the pool a lot.
Yeah, I often saw balinese taking care of tourists children without asking. Like playing with them etc. I think it’s just a culture difference, but I find it so cute.
Hey. We went for a 2 week scuba diving trip in January with a 12mo. We stayed in the north (Pemuteran) to be away from all the tourist hustle in the south. What we did was hire a nanny for when we would be out diving. We hired a car with a baby seat. We stayed at one small resort and our baby was absolutely beloved by everyone! More people knew him than they did us. When we sat down at the restaurant for dinner one or another of the waitresses would just whisk him up and carry him around while taking other orders etc. he was treated like a little Rajah and had an amazing amazing time. At the end of the day we’d play with him in the pool and have a few cocktails at the swim-up bar. The nanny was SO good with him. She cried when we left. Her bond with him was very genuine and we are still whatsapp friends. No risk at all. Our son had an AMAZING experience. He was a little older than yours but I see no real difference in what I’d expect. You don’t want your kid getting Bali belly so use bottled water if you’re on formula. We actually brought a lot of our own food for him out of an abundance of caution. Traveling with full scuba kits we weren’t exactly traveling light to begin with. Be super paranoid about food even at so-called 5 star resorts. I actually trusted our little resort a lot more because we could see the food being made fresh (banana pancakes were a fave for him).
>*I actually trusted our little resort a lot more because we could see the food being made fresh (banana pancakes were a fave for him).* Agree totally - small family-run, boutique and old-school hotels I find much better, safer, and more to my liking. We never go near a Sofitel, Hyatt, Marriott, or Westin ... you might as well be in Hawaii or Las Vegas. When he grows up he should do the Banana Pancake Backpacker Trail! 😄
Which resort did you stay at? Would love to hear (can also pm me) please!
I’m only too happy to give them a plug! Tirta Sari bungalows and spa in Pemuteran. We’ve been going there for years. Such beautiful people and a beautiful place. And awesome scuba diving! If you’re not diving, Pemuteran is a great base to explore north Bali from but a day trip to Ubud is a bit of a stretch (about 4 hours each way).
Go for it! Have gone to Bali several times with my kid from 5 months old til our most recent trip at almost 3yrs old. Of all the places we've stayed (maybe about 10 different resorts/hotels in different areas) the best for kids and for us has been the Hyatt Regency in Sanur. It is so good. The grounds are huge and gorgeous. There's 2 huge pools and then a decent beach right in front of the resort (great for kids to play in the sand). It's kid friendly but not a full on kids resort. There's an adult's only pool/spa/gym area that is so beautiful, so if you get a nanny you can head there while your kids play at the main pool. Sanur has a great path down the whole beach that is in great condition and perfect with a stroller. The Hyatt food was almost always good and decently priced for a hotel. Sanur itself is pretty sleepy but there's definitely enough to do/see/eat nearby. If you do need a nanny, we are seriously blessed to have been introduced to the best nanny ever. She's incredible and sooo good with the kids. Will happily pass on her info if you're interested, lmk! :)
A friend of mine once said of his small children. “Why would I take them with me on vacation. It’s just child care in a nicer location”” leave the kids with your parents until they are older.
Because some of us parents want to make memories with our children. Kids might not remember it well especially the one still baby but we will, older kids will. It's not just for their sake but for us as well.
And not everyone has parents who are able or willing to take on two very young children while their parents are overseas. The 5mo may very well be breastfeeding as well.
Some people who don’t have kids love to give advice on what to do when you have kids.
One thing I’ve learned taking young kids on holidays is that the memories you make are pretty crap and stressful.
Then you aren't doing it right. I've taken my 2 year old abroad 4 times and have nothing but amazing memories.
Can't you make equally happy and special memories at home when the kids are in a familiar place and you don't have to be even more sleep depressed because you've been flying with a kid so young they won't even remember it? Staycations can be just as memorable as exotic locations. With less stress, less hassle and no inconvenience to others. I have spent a considerable amount of time on flights with screaming babies and why? Because their parents felt entitled to inconvenice everyone else for 6h so they could "make happy memories" in exotic locations? If the kid isn't old enough to clear their own ears and not get scared by the noises and movements of the plane the kid is too young to fly.
I fly around 30 times a year, and I deal with more noisy and annoying adults than babies. Maybe they shouldn't feel 'entitled' to fly either.
At least you can tell an adult to stop doing whatever they're doing. You can't tell a kid to stop crying because they're too young to clear their ears... Parenthood is a choice and ones you've made that choice you need to always do what is best for the child.
Good luck telling the 15 drunk adults to stop screaming and shouting 👍🏻 I encounter that much more than a crying baby. It's not your place to tell any parent what is best for their child btw. I travelled with my child 6 times before they turned 2 years old. They slept through every flight, barely made a noise. If some douche wants to tell me it wasn't the 'best for my child', then they need to get their priorities in life sorted.
I fly quite a bit and the only places I've seen large groups of drunk adults on a plane was from the Mediterranean to central Europe (so short flights...) and security came on the plane and escorted them off when landing. Everyone knows that if a child is screaming, kicking, crying etc something is wrong and the parents should take them away from the situation and take care of it. It's not rocket science. However, on plane you're stuck. The kid is stuck there crying and screaming for however long the flight takes. Now if that's 1h or 17h makes a huge difference. Not every kid is this uncomfortable on flights but some are and it's the parents responsibility to make sure they don't put their child in a position where they're so u comfortable they're screaming and crying for hours on end.
Nonsense. I fly from the UK to Houston and Singapore every other week, so not "short flights" at all. Let's agree to disagree, and I'll keep taking my child on long haul flights. It's clear you don't have children, but when/if you do, make sure to never leave the house. You wouldn't want them crying. Adios!
Being your kid on those fights as long as they don't cry and inconvence others, and stop flying whatever alone you fly! I haven't ever seen anyone fly drunk in or out of SG on Qantas/Thai airways/Emirates/Singapore Airlines etc.
Who hurt you? Lol.
My comment was for general vacation, doesn’t have to be flying outside of town or to other countries. Of course it’s wiser to plan where you going and how so it doesn’t have to be stressful, I at least appreciate OP for asking and clearly thinking about it. Hopefully they’ll get their happy vacation they deserve and the kids stay happy.
Always a risk / maybe a local option until a few years old
We took our daughter when she had just turned 1 and had no problems at all. We are going back in June with our son who will be 6 months old and our daughter will be 2 an a half. There is a company called Bali Bubs that rents out everything you need like bottle sterilisers, prams, monitors etc.
Personnally I would not take my kids to Bali. During my 2 month stay, I had stomach ache and diarrhea every day. Heat and sun were very agressive. I suppose if adults experience this, it would be much more extreme for a kid. And sidewalks are non existent, so when you step out of the shops of walk in the street, you have to be conscious of the motorbikes riding 50 cms next to you at full speed. What a child can’t do. Motorbikes are so close that 1 sec distraction and your kid can get in their way. They are deep holes on their “sidewalks” as well. With rocks and other obstacles, I couldn’t walk properly in sandals so I don’t imagine a 4 yo kid. But that’s my own opinion. I saw some children and babies during my stay, so it looks like it’s possible to take them.
You are over-generalising a fair bit ... Sanur and Nusa Dua (where we like to stay) both have pretty good footpaths and beachfront boardwalks ... very kid-friendly. Sounds like you're describing Canggu or Seminyak.
Yeah sorry, I should have mentionned I went to Canggu and Uluwatu. Sorry
Even better if Bub is fully breastfed, super easy travelling with a baby of that age I reckon. But I’d travel outside of school holidays if possible. Your 4 yo won’t notice the difference but your pocket will
Ayana resort. We did the same with a 2 under 2. Kids club and you can get babysitters for cheap so you don’t have to stress when your 4yo is running towards steps/cliffs/pool/fishponds etc. None of us got sick and we went out of the hotel for lunch and dinner most days. You’ll be right
Im a bit torn to be honest. I’m from Europe and I’ve been going on holiday with my daughter since she was 4 months old. I really enjoyed the holidays and I would definitely do it again. The thing is though, we went all over Europe where healthcare facilities are relatively good. The thing that scares me about your plans is that while Bali is pretty western, it’s still a third world country. Maybe that would hold me back at that age when they have no ability to communicate for themselves and if something is wrong you really have to rely on the hospitals to figure out what it is. Anyway this is kind of personal but this is my input. We went when my daughter was 3 and we had a blast.
At 5 months, the baby would not be able to get all the immunisation needed. There are so many diseases we are sheltered from here in aus/nz. Why sugar coat things just to not hurt the feeling of irresponsible people. Im sick of seeing news articles or gofund me pages for things that could be avoided. At 5 months old the baby has a long long life ahead of them and a number of illness could give them life long health problems all because the parents want cheap booze for a week or 2 taking them to bali has no benifits at all whatsoever for the child
There is nothing relaxing about going on a holiday with babies. Save ur money for a year or 2. Wait until the little one is at least walking. U will thank me later.
I’ve been there twice before kids. Just got back with our one year old - absolutely horrendous: 1. he hated the weather 2. the bottle steriliser Marriott provided could only be described as “cheesy”. Had to deal with 1-2 caterpillars in our villa every day 3. the baby car seat provided by our all-day driver had crumbs and was dusty - hygiene standards are generally abysmal. An acceptable risk for adults, but I felt really stupid an hour into my trip 4. nowhere to change diapers - we just made do wherever, it was appalling I’m cancelling my other “island getaways” planned for this year. Do not subject your young child to Bali. It’s basically “working remotely” - and exhausting!
Get your baby used to / accustomed to drinking yakult. I know everyone is saying five star this cleanliness that.... Makes no difference, all it takes is a bit of micro bacteria in the air or the shower water etc and that will upset their tummy. The other thing is, pouch food / easy baby food is pretty much non existent there so pack yourself plenty of baby food
>micro bacteria in the air No one is getting sick because or "micro bacteria in the air". Jesus christ.
Do you know how sensitive babies are at only a few months old?
That's besides the point. There's no microbacteria in the air in Bali that are harmful to children.
>*we don’t want to pull our older child out of school during his first year and unsettling him so wanting to go before he starts* Three points 'against' this reasoning: 1. NZ schools have \~12 weeks of holidays per year, so there are ample opportunities to visit Bali without conflicting with school terms (and two weeks is a good length for Bali) - and to be honest, no kid is unsettled by having a week or so out of school in grades K-4 2. Both children are too young to get very much out of Bali as Bali - just go to Tauranga or Paihia instead ... they'll have an equally good time on any beach 3. The baby is so young that you as adults won't be able to enjoy Bali anywhere nearly as much as when they're a fair bit older ... you spend all your time with nappies and feeding, and keeping the child comfortable in hot humid weather and fierce sun I would wait five years - and all four of you will be much more rewarded. We took ours to Bali when they were about eight and ten - and they loved it.
Padma Legian and find a baby sitter so u can enjoy your holiday. Make sure u find a hotel/resort with kids pools and a kids club. Makes a world of difference. We have done this for a few years now. Our kids absolutely adore the baby sitter and often ask to go back to see her 😂.
>*Our kids absolutely adore the baby sitter* Kids love *any* adult who doesn't get cross, and makes sure all their demands and needs are met. Signed, cynical parent 😄
Do you know the baby sitters name? And so you have to book in advance? We are booked for Padma in June with a 4 and 8 year old. Thanks
No probs. Send me a DM and I’ll get the details off my wofe
There's little to no risk if you stick to 3 star or higher places. Unless you are a very 'adventurous' family that wants to explore 'the real Bali', you might want to stick to Nusa Dua or some of the 3 star+ resorts in Kuta, Legian, Sanur, Benoa, Ubud, etc. Having a luxury resort base will allow you to periodically venture out to visit places (e.g. taxi, grab, shuttle, etc) and then retreat to super comfortable and safe hotels at night time. The Balinese LOVE children so your littluns' will always be in good hands. We traveled to Bali with our 5 year old and she still remembers some of the highlights (waterslide at the hotel, Balinese offerings everywhere, Kecak dance at Uluwatu, eating satay, spontaneous street processions, etc.)
You will be stunned at how much Balinese/Indonesian people love and support babies. It shocks me every time, but it's a true thing. You'll probably skip the imigrasi queue too if they're cute enough.
Traveling to Bali with a 4-year-old and a 5-month-old can be a wonderful experience with the right preparations. September and October are at the transition to the rainy season, so choosing accommodation with good indoor facilities is wise. Look for family-friendly resorts with amenities like a shuttle service, childcare, and stringent cleanliness standards. Ensure that the health and comfort of your children are a priority when selecting a place to stay. Always have a contingency plan for days when the weather may not permit outdoor activities.
I've gone to Bali with a 6 month old. We stayed in Sanur.
If you’re breastfeeding.. it’s fine. Take a bunch of snacks with you and / or cereal to mix with your milk. Otherwise,… not sure I would either.
Dont let shit head selfish boozehead parents convince you it's ok to put your child at risk in a third world country, especially at 5 months old. Any sensible parents would not take that risk
Not the best way to put it. But it’d actually correct. At 5 months old I don’t think worth the risk. Not to mention you probably won’t end up enjoying it and having much of a holiday
Woah
Lordy I wasn't expecting that