[bronhilda]

Hi all,

We are expecting an new edition to our family in a few months. We had been planning a family holiday to Fiji for April, when baby will be about 4 months old. We have two older children, 6 and 3.

We expect the baby will be formula fed by then (hopefully baby will have 3 months of BM). All things running to plan, baby will have had their 8 week and 4 month immunisations before we travel.

We were planning on potentially taking an electric steam steriliser for bottles, using bottled water boiled in a new kettle brought from home for making up their formula bottles, and hopefully baby will not require solids at this point (my oldest two started eating rice cereal just after 4 months under paediatricians advice, but we would use formula to make this up, so I see this in the same category as bottles).

A few questions.......
Has anyone taken a child this young to Fiji?
Did you have any concerns with their lack of immunisations at that point?
Did they get sick while you were there?
Were you able to sterillise bottles through your resort using a microwave steriliser?

TIA

[flipped out]

I haven't taken a newborn to Fiji before but if possible I would try to extend your breastfeeding a bit longer so they are still breastfed whilst you are there. That way you won't have to worry about sterilising and also they will have extra protection from any bugs from the antibodies in your milk

[bronhilda]

Ideally I would, but my experience with my older children tells me that this probably won't happen. I will not be weaning to bottles by choice, but by necessity (if it happens again).

Realistically we need to work out what to do if we will be bottle feeding at 4 months - if we aren't, great, but if it really is more risky then we would prefer not to book this trip at this time.

[*LucyE*]

If you are staying at one of the big resorts, in a mainly touristy area, you have little to worry about.

Has anyone taken a child this young to Fiji?
The youngest I've taken a child to Fiji is about 8mth old. I would happily take a 4 month old because they are not crawling and getting into everything.

We took DD to Phuket when she was 4 months old as a comparison.

Did you have any concerns with their lack of immunisations at that point?
Generally, no. Talk to your Dr and possibly even go to a travel specialist Dr for specific advice about the areas you are travelling to, closer to the time.

Our kids were up to date with their selective vaccinations. At 4 months, the vaccinations don't provide the longer protection compared to the full schedule, it still does provide immunity. To my understanding, that immunity just wears off sooner.

If you can maintain breastfeeding, that's supposed to help too.

Did they get sick while you were there?
No. The only illness we've ever caught while travelling was DH once with giardia in Phuket which we linked to the men's poor handwashing habits post toileting, and DS and myself with gastro from a poor menu choice in Fiji. We travel regularly and these 2 occasions have been our only issues.

Were you able to sterillise bottles through your resort using a microwave steriliser?
I have never used them because I breastfed, but all resorts I've stayed at have had microwaves. I would possibly consider the size of your sterilizer because some of the microwaves have been very small. I would take a mini thing of dish washing detergent and a bottle brush though. It will save the hassle of having to find it over there. I wouldn't bother with your own kettle but maybe take a glass bottle for storing cooled boiled water (I reuse gourmet juice bottles with a wide mouth).

I don't know how much formula a baby needs, but maybe take sachets rather than a big tin to save on space as well as save the hassle of bringing food stuffs back into Australia.

Honestly, I would enlist the help of a good lactation consultant if you can, and try to keep breastfeeding. It is just so much easier.

And I would choose my resort carefully.

Holidaying with a newborn is perfectly do-able and not much riskier if you are sensible.

[kiwimum2b]

An idea would be to look into the sterilizing BAGS..work on the same concept as big tub 1 you put in the microwave but alot easier to travel with.
We traveled (not to fiji) with our 10week old and just took the bags..worked really well and fit in the small microwaves that resorts tend to have.
We also used the sachets of formula..was more expensive but again, easier to travel with and very easy to use.
Take a small bottle of dish washing detergent and bottle brush, and we just used bottled water.
Have a great trip

[Boombox]

I would also consider extending BF for the trip- the safety benefits are huge, not only in BM being much cleaner and not requiring cumbersome sterilisation. There is also the bonus of the immunity passed from BM giving the baby that extra protection.

I've taken a 5 month old to Fiji, along with a 3 yr old. I was fully BF him so it was easy peasy. The BF on the plane was especially useful as well.

I'd had no concerns about immunisation, it's pretty first world over there. No one got sick. Also our 4 star resort didn't have microwaves in the bures- it'd be important to check on that when you choose a resort.

[Akatara]

My biggest concern would be picking up a bug on the plane.

Having just been through whooping cough with my four month old I wouldn't do it.

But my older kids get asthma and allergies too, so I'm pretty conservative. We have travelled a lot os with babies but not that young.
The thing about Fiji is you are a long way from hospitals too if you go to and island or away from Nadi.

[Jersey Caramel]

How long are you going for? Could you take those poppers of ready to drink formula?

We travelled O/S when DS1 was 5 months, he was fully BF but as I was going for a conference we took bottles and pump for me to express, plus some poppers of formula as a back up. We just washed the bottles in hot water and detergent and then sterilised in Milton solution (took the fizzy tablet thingies). Easier than trying to find a microwave.

[fliss9]

I would agree with Jersey Caramel with taking Milton tablets. It'll be much easier (& lighter) than lugging so many pieces of equipment.

Also, with the formula, if your bub was anything like mine, you'd go thru a tin a week, so maybe instead of the satchels others have suggested, just take a brand new, unopened tin in your suitcase.

[Emilliam]

We took our 6 month old just after his needles. We still sterilised (got an apartment with a kitchenette with microwave). As long as precautions are taken, it wouldn't worry me at all taking a 4 month old (beware though, every Fijian will want to cuddle them - I thought it was great as they would pick him up and carry him around the restaurant while ourselves and our two older children ate - but some people are funny about it).

Did he get sick? Yes, he got his first two teeth while we were there so had all the symptoms. Would have happened at home anyway (but made for a long flight home)

Have a wonderful holiday - I wish I was going again!