Travelling to Fiji with a 4 Month Old

PropertyPig on 09/10/2023 - 09:41

Hello fellow ozbargainers. I have a few question as a new parents and also as a first time travellers to fiji if anyone could please give their advice/thoughts. Thank you in advance!

A few details to give you an idea about us.

  • Mid November - Big family trip booked (grandparents, aunty and uncles, myself and my wife and our soon to be 4 month old)
  • Staying at a resort for 7 days on Denuaru Island
  • Flights booked with qantas points already
  • Baby is fully breast-fed so not too worried about taking too many formula/bottles

Fiji questions

  • What were your favourite activities and what would you recommend?
  • Should we stay in the resort or is it worth doing day trips out?
  • Some family want to do a fishing charter - any recommendations?
  • Are there any recommendations on an island hopping boat trip?
  • Is it worth hiring a car?
  • Any food/restaurant/cafe recommendations? We do have a kitchen in our place so we could cook sometimes. My wife is dairy/soy/gluten free at the moment (baby intolerance thing) so we may have to cook a lot of food for her. If so, any supermarket recommendations?
  • I know its going to be hot, but I also know weather can take a turn in fiji. Besides the obvious stuff, anything you recommend to take?
  • Should we exchange money/cash before hand? Is everything mainly card now? I looked at Wise/revolt and they don't have Fiji dollars on there.
  • What sort of things should we take with us vs buy there?

Baby travel questions

  • With such a small child, should we hire a car with a car seat? I feel a bit iffy about holding our baby on our lap during multiple car rides in taxis.
  • Any tips on how to keep a small child entertained on the flight? (Roughly 4 hours)
  • Besides the obvious, anything we should pack/take with us specifically for the baby? We are taking a travel cot and pram, a playmat and a carrier.
  • What should we avoid doing with the baby? I want to do Island hopping boat trips but my wife is not too keen on that.
  • Any other general baby travel tips? She's a pretty good sleeper luckily. Shes not crawling yet so we will always be holding her or she will be in a pram/playmat.
Travel Fiji Oceania

Comments

  • Muzeeb on 09/10/2023 - 09:53
    +12

    Give me 6 hours to type up my reply. Standby.

    • Muzeeb on 09/10/2023 - 19:19
      +1

      I still haven't finished section 1 yet. What is the cut off date for replies?

      • [Deactivated] on 09/10/2023 - 20:10
        +1

        Flight is mid-Nov so heaps of time.

        So brave of you to respond considering degree of difficulty due to vast age range of travellers: 4 months to grandparental eons.

    • HeWhoKnows on 10/10/2023 - 07:41
      +1

      I need 2 hours just to read the post as well
      But reply is simple actually….

      In short it makes no difference where you are, or where you go, with a 4 mth old baby and the whole family
      Same old, same old

      ie Do as you would do at home

      Stop panicking and enjoy!

      • PropertyPig on 10/10/2023 - 13:02
        +1

        Sorry for the long post, I thought giving more info was better rather than being vague! It’s hard not to panic as we are anxious (previous loss of a child will do that to you) but we also can’t live in a bubble and need to do these things and live. I also love to do research and be a little bit prepared as I know that no one else will do it that’s coming on the trip.

        • HeWhoKnows on 12/10/2023 - 12:53

          Most family friendly resorts offer baby minding.
          They also have a tour desk

          Check directly with the resort.

          Im sure the parents wont mind looking after the baby whilst you go on a tour where you cant take the baby.

          So chill out.
          Like I said, do as you would at home.
          its a "no brainer"
          Same with keeping baby entertained on the flight.
          Do what it takes to stop it crying…there is nothing more annoying on a flight!

          And generally no, you dont need a car
          Most resorts have a courtesy bus running so check with them
          All tour operators offer pick ups.
          So there you go

          If you are panicing then maybe you made the wrong decision.
          But too late for that

    • PropertyPig on 11/10/2023 - 05:17

      Eagerly awaiting your reply!

  • jv on 09/10/2023 - 09:54

    Just leave the 4 month old at home and enjoy your holiday.

    • PropertyPig on 09/10/2023 - 10:20

      I would but everyone I’d leave the baby with is coming on the trip!

      • jv on 09/10/2023 - 10:25

        Airtasker ?

      • [Deactivated] on 09/10/2023 - 11:56

        Also, a bit hard if the

        Baby is fully breast-fed

        • Nugs on 09/10/2023 - 12:24

          surrogate, eewwww
          .

          • [Deactivated] on 09/10/2023 - 12:27

            @Nugs:

            surrogate, eewwww

            Do you mean: wet nurse ?

            • Nugs on 09/10/2023 - 12:30
              -1

              @[Deactivated]: yes (surrogate is a generic term, not as specific as wet nurse)
              .

        • Chandler on 09/10/2023 - 12:47

          Also, a bit hard if the

          Baby is fully breast-fed

          Not so much - mother can provide expressed breast milk for baby to drink in her absence.

          @PropertyPig - if you guys are interested in having baby able to feed without mummy (i.e. mummy returning to work, wanting a night off, etc), I'd suggest that (if you're all settled with feeding, etc) you introduce some expressed milk bottle feeds. Doing so sooner means that the times you are actually needing to do it you are not introducing something new as baby may not adjust easily. 2 of ours didn't take to the bottle too well, 1 did (and will even have a bottle from mummy) - possibly due to introducing it earlier (again, after everything is settled with feeding: you don't want to cause issues with baby feeding from mummy directly).

          • PropertyPig on 09/10/2023 - 13:29
            +1

            @Chandler: My wife has been pumping and leaving a bottle in the fridge/freezing to build a supply so when she needs to go out, i can feed her if needed. We will take the pump with us so if she goes for a swim or goes out, i can do the feeds too. It's working really well for us so far.

          • [Deactivated] on 09/10/2023 - 16:52

            @Chandler:

            Not so much - mother can provide expressed breast milk for baby to drink in her absence.

            7 days worth so that she can go o/s on holiday w/o her 4 month old baby?

            • Chandler on 09/10/2023 - 20:34

              @[Deactivated]: Not ideal but certainly doable.

              Plenty of babies get fed formula or expressed breast milk - whether that's due to a lack of supply, lack of interest or a lack of a mother altogether - it happens.

  • EBG on 09/10/2023 - 09:58

    Join the Family Travel Addicts fb page and use the search as a lot of this is covered

    • PropertyPig on 09/10/2023 - 10:20
      +1

      Thanks for the tip. I’ve requested to join.

  • jv on 09/10/2023 - 09:59
    -1

    Fiji questions

    • Sleeping
    • Yes
    • No
    • No
    • No
    • Maccas
    • Umbrella
    • No
    • Gum

    Baby travel questions

    • No
    • iPad
    • iPad
    • Drowning
    • Ear plugs
    • Chandler on 09/10/2023 - 12:49
      • Maccas

      No.

      My wife is dairy/soy/gluten free at the moment

      • jv on 09/10/2023 - 13:51
        +1

        My wife is dairy/soy/gluten free at the moment

        Fiji may not be the best place to go then…

        • Chandler on 09/10/2023 - 13:58

          As a recently diagnosed coeliac - so only gluten-free(+) - it's been hard enough finding places to eat out here, so I can agree with you there.

          • PropertyPig on 09/10/2023 - 16:43

            @Chandler: It’s been pretty easy to cook at home but eating out is a massive challenge. It’s only an exclusion diet for a few more weeks so I’m hoping by the time mid November roles around she’s back to eating all those things.

  • beyonddd on 09/10/2023 - 10:51

    Hire a car, check the car seat in for the flight, you'll be fine with the baby carrier strapped to yourself or your wife on the flight. Don't really need to keep them occupied, just well fed, changed and they'll sleep. Take your pram in overhead so you can have the baby in the pram in the airports etc.

    • PropertyPig on 09/10/2023 - 10:57

      Do you think its worth taking our car seat with us or just hiring one when we hire the car? The pram we have isn't the best for travel. I have been looking at travel prams but it seems like a waste of money to buy a pram just for the trip. I did see on the Qantas website that if you check your pram in, they give you a pram to use at the airport.

      • beyonddd on 09/10/2023 - 10:59

        From my experiences, hiring a car seat is just as expensive as buying a carseat. YMMV of course, I haven't specifically gone to Fiji but have travelled with my kids when they were under 6 months multiple times.
        We bought a Baby Jogger as our travel pram/going to the shops, and kept the Uppababy Vista as more of a walking/zoo/bigger day out thing.

        • PropertyPig on 09/10/2023 - 11:02

          Hmm good point. A lot of the car rental places have baby seats listed between FJD$10-20 a day which over 7 days will add up. Still unsure if hiring a car is even worth if if we will just stayin the resort most of the time. Any tips you have for travelling with them under 6 months?

          • one man clan on 09/10/2023 - 15:28

            @PropertyPig: Have not hired a car in Fiji but just did in Europe - the car seats were garbage and super unsafe. Made me very uncomfortable driving. YMMV in other places but honestly i'd avoid it if at all possible.

      • jolee3 on 09/10/2023 - 14:09

        A Qantas staff tried to pressure me into checking our pram in, told us they would give us one for the airport. I asked her what the situation was at the destination airport - do they give you one there until you walk out to get your pram? Answer was no and her comment was "it's not that far". Things are very far when wrestling small suitcases and exhausted toddlers off a long flight. I didn't want to take the risk of carrying a toddler for who knows how far in the airport.

        We took the pram on the plane - we've taken our Baby Jogger on several flights, we wouldn't be without it.

  • Hellfire on 09/10/2023 - 10:55

    Denaru is a resort area and there isnt much there excepts lots of resorts and tours.

    Ask the hotel about baby sitting so that you can get a break.

    • PropertyPig on 09/10/2023 - 11:00

      I don't mind booking any of the tours with the resort. Just wondering if there are any better than others. Some that are more tailored to people with young children, or mobility issues (mother-in-law).

      My wife is very anxious (past loss of our baby) so I don't think we will be letting anyone look after our baby except family. I did look into the baby sitting services, but they usually start at 6 months.

      • Hellfire on 09/10/2023 - 12:11

        Not much will be suitable for a 4 month old. Maybe a cultural tour would be ok. I wouldnt take a baby on a boat.

        You can get a baby sitter to look after the baby while you are nearby. Eg, louge by the pool or have a romantic dinner.

  • FoxJump on 09/10/2023 - 10:58
    +3

    In my experience, going anywhere with a young kid involves:
    * doing the same things you do at home, but elsewhere
    * while spending extra money for accom and food
    * and being equally tired.

    so .. i wouldnt bother going to Fiji.

    • PropertyPig on 09/10/2023 - 11:04
      +2

      I sort of agree with you as I wouldn't normally have gone on this trip, but we were luckily gifted the accomodation for the whole week and the flights were paid for with points. Spending money and food will be our main expense and with dietary requirements we might end up cooking a lot at the accomodation. I'll probably be tired, but its a whole week of being tired by a pool and not working!

      • FoxJump on 09/10/2023 - 11:22

        thats true.
        we had twins so .. holidays sucked until they stopped the annoying napping

  • MrHyde on 09/10/2023 - 11:44

    At 4 months old, all the baby does is feed, sleep, poop and repeat. You dont need to do anything to keep them entertained - just make sure Mum is nearby for the feed and you are nearby to clean up the poop.

    The worst part will be the descent due to air pressure in the ears; again feeding at that time will calm them.

  • Noppy on 09/10/2023 - 11:46

    I would consider getting your baby drinking formula so that you or a sitter can give your wife a good break. I just held my son in Fiji taxis, I booked transport requesting a child seat but never saw one the week I was there.

    Does your child like music yet? I hold the headphone up to my kids ear when he was younger so he could listen to the wiggles and trance classics. Maybe a small soft ball some suction spinners for toys.

    • PropertyPig on 09/10/2023 - 13:34

      I've contracted a few places and they say they supply a child seat on request - but this is specifically for a shuttle to and from the airport. From all the answers here, it sounds like we will be at the resort for most of our trip!

      We haven't tried her with music yet, but might give it a go before we leave. I'll check out the toys, thank you!

  • tallkid123 on 09/10/2023 - 11:49
    -1

    It's Denarau. Not Denuaru or Denaru.

    OP, families go to Fiji so that they can outsource childminding to the locals while the parents just do nothing but 'relax'.

    It's boring, expensive and the weather burns like hell in the Western Division (west side of Viti Levu).

    Optimal time to go to Fiji as a family is when the kids are old enough to be dumped in the hotel kids activity clubs. 4 month old baby is too young. You're gonna be stuck in the resort.

    You can take a quick cab in to Nadi (pronounced Nan-di) but it's just a run down town with nothing much going on.

    • tallkid123 on 09/10/2023 - 19:11

      Downvoter probably needs a holiday - loser.

  • Zeph101 on 09/10/2023 - 11:54

    Also as a word of warning you are going tough at the start of their wet season

    • PropertyPig on 09/10/2023 - 13:36

      Yeah i checked the weather and there are a few rainy days but the resort looks like it has comfortable rooms. As we got the trip basically for free, i don't mind if there are some days we can't go swimming.

  • tmcn85 on 09/10/2023 - 13:07

    At four months you can still enjoy a holiday, as long as the kid is fairly reasonable. Ours liked to nap in the stroller so could still go out for dinner in the evenings and she's sleep.

    This wont last long, and then you can give up going anywhere.

  • daft009 on 09/10/2023 - 21:14

    Go enjoy it while they are small!

    You could even leave the bub with the relos and enjoy a dinner etc just the both of you.

    If it were us we'd just enjoy and relaxing at the resort, we stayed at the Hilton when we went in March 2020. Hoping to go again Sept next year

  • H4nd0 on 10/10/2023 - 08:59

    Do you know precisely which resort you are staying at in Denarau? Check to see what childcare facilities they have. Just be mindful that public health care in Fiji is dismal. Zens Medical at Denarau and in Nadi Town are OK. There is a 5-star hospital in Suva but that's 4 hours drive from Nadi. If your child falls ill and needs intensive hospitalisation you will have to emergency repatriate to Australia or New Zealand. Ensure you have purchased top-of-the-line travel insurance in place before leaving. Flights out of Nadi are limited.

    • Yes, you can hire a car with a baby seat. Taxis don't have baby seats as a general rule.
    • Keep a four-month-old entertained on a flight? Seriously?
    • Carry EVERYTHING you need for your child. Assume you can buy nothing domestically in Fiji.
    • Avoid doing? Take the kid everywhere. The locals will love you.

    As for activities:

    • Get on a helicopter and go to Tokoriki for lunch ;)
    • Heaps of day trips - just do them - but plan to start early and be prepared to get home late. So book a day or so in advance.
    • Fishing charter - do that one without your child. The boats are small. Seas can be rough. Just go to the tour desk in the hotel to find out.
    • You can island hop, but you won't be doing many islands per day. You will need to stay out on an island. Check out South Sea Cruises options.
    • Hire a car for sure. Ensure you are fully insured. Driving is crap at the best of times in Fiji. The national speed limit is 80. Roads are poor. Driving at night is dangerous (watch out for cows and horses). However, with the car, you can get down to the Coral Coast or up to Volivoli. Makes a nice day out. Start very early (e.g. 7AM)
    • Heaps of restaurants in Denarau, Newtown Beach, Martintar, Namaka, and Nadi. Dairy/soy/gluten-free is easy to accomplish. Just ask. There's a supermarket in the industrial area of Denarau. Also in Namaka, Martinar (Jet Point), and Nadi Town. Hire the car and drive down there. Easy.
    • Take mosquito repellent. Heaps at dawn and dusk. You don't want Dengue Fever. Cover your child all the time everywhere you go. Denarau is literally a mangrove swamp. Mosquitos everywhere. Plus it gets hot. Damn hot. So cover your child / keep out of the sun or in aircon.
    • You can get cash out at Nadi International via the ATMs (fees and charges will apply). I would recommend taking cash for small item purchases. However, card facilities are commonplace.
    • As mentioned previously, take everything you think you need for your child. Assume you cannot buy anything that you need.

    Hope that helps.

    • H4nd0 on 10/10/2023 - 10:25

      EDIT: EMS has setup at Port now. https://www.ems.com.fj/. They have a jet for emergency repatriation (apparently).

    • PropertyPig on 10/10/2023 - 11:27

      Thank you, this is all really helpful information. The entertainment thing is more so that she doesn’t scream the entire flight but she’s usually pretty good. We have a few soft books she likes to touch and look at so we will bring them along.

      • H4nd0 on 11/10/2023 - 11:56

        All good. I see heaps of families with infants on the plane to/from Nadi. It's commonplace. You might have your child on your lap for the entire flight unless you have booked bulkhead + bassinet-based seats. You will only get that on the Fiji Airways Airbus A330 and then only if you request it. The Qantas and Virgin 737s don't have that option I don't believe. The Fiji Airways 737 Max 8 is just a sardine can of horror. When boarding, you should board first since you have a child and "need assistance". Check with the check-in/boarding desk. Check with your airline in advance.

        One other thing to be mindful of is that everything is "slow" in Fiji. They call it "Fiji Time" but in reality, it's just inefficient. Many of the young/talented people left the country post-COVID so there are literally fewer people to do the jobs. It was noticeable when I was there last week. Resorts are jammed. Labour is being brought in from China and Sri Lanka. Can't get a tradesman to save your life. So be patient. Getting from the airport to the hotel might take 1-2 hours. Checking in to the hotel might take an hour. Hiring a car … might take half a day to get it. Go to the supermarket … plan a few hours at least. So just plan well ahead and be prepared for your infant to get well out of sorts and for you to retire to the hotel for the rest of the day.

        Irrespective, you will have fun. Beautiful place. Nice people. Safe.

  • lMalfunctionl on 10/10/2023 - 17:32
    +2

    Food should not be a problem, Fiji is full of fresh fruit and vegetables which can be found at the market and it should be easy to cook up as long as there is kitchen in your hotel/apartment.

    I know your wife is gluten free but for the rest of the family I would highly recommend visiting the hot bread kitchen and trying the cream bun but a warning you may be hooked

  • lainey13 on 11/10/2023 - 23:03

    We went in August last year with a 14 month old, stayed at the Radisson and only took one day trip out with a private driver, and had a half day on the Ecotrax where they picked us up and returned us. SO much fun and worth the mega long drive!! But you MUST book ASAP because sometimes they are booked out months ahead of time.
    Didn't bother with a car, too hectic to do much except roam the resort and neighbouring resorts and take a walk into the ferry area where there are shops. Didn't go on a boat either, it was very much just a lazy trip for us. Really depends on what you guys can handle but a 4 month old is easy. Try taking a boat with a runaway toddler… 4 month olds are a DREAM to travel with. You will be fine!
    When we went it was actually too cold, it was low 20s and even rained a bit which they said was very unusual and made unheated swimming pools a pain. I like my pools bath water warm :) So it was very pleasant but just not pool weather for me.
    Any transfers just ask them for a car seat ahead of time but none of them were rear facing so its up to you.
    Take everything your baby will need including back up panadol/antihistamines etc. Everything is expensive there, and if you didn't get all inclusive at your resort then god help you and your wallet… So basically take everything you guys need and plan to buy nothing coz none of it was a bargain at all. This ain't Asia u know…
    You may need money in a market but since I just went to shops, tours, resort etc I just used a card and didn't even see any Fijian money.
    Enjoy your first trip with a kid. Completely different kettle of fish, but don't let it put you off :)

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