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Original poster

Maldives with 3 month old

52 replies

newmomaboutthreads · 15/11/2023 09:31

Am I mad thinking we can do to Maldives with a 3 month old?

It's my partners 40th and we want to go on holiday for it. Maldives got cancelled due to covid so we'd love to go there but I have my reservations.

Is it safe going so far?
What about mosquitoes?
Travel on seaplanes?
Does air con work effectively everywhere?
What if the baby gets I'll and we are stuck on an island?

We would also factor travelling in premium economy on a 10 hour flight. There are no seats left upper on the dates we wish to travel.

Would peoples opinion on travelling with such a young baby and to a tropical destination

OP posts:
Tailfeather · 15/11/2023 20:31

I went with a group of friends when my son was 6 months old. We had a small private pool and went to an island with a free Scott Dunn creche so there were others with little ones. No mozzies. There are islands just a boat ride from the airport, but we did take a seaplane and we took ear defenders and he slept the whole way there and back!

Chewbecca · 15/11/2023 21:19

I’d go to Barbados instead, easier flight and less remote.

ThePuma · 16/11/2023 21:34

By coincidence, my colleague has spent the last 2 weeks in the Maldives with a 3 month old. Having a lovely time by all accounts.

poolviewthanks · 17/11/2023 02:41

I know someone that did this with an 10 weeks old and two other kids too and they rave about it. Journey was long but they went business and it was all fine with the baby

SecretVictoria · 17/11/2023 05:20

The only thing I’d be wary about is being able to get supplies. My old hairdresser went for her honeymoon and said there was a quite bad storm and the island was running out of food as no seaplanes/boats could get there.

Lordofmyflies · 18/11/2023 06:09

I think if you went to an island very close to Male, you'd be ok. My concern would be the remoteness of being on an island with over an hour transfer by seaplane, which really is one of the big draws of the Maldives in the first place! As posters have said, supplies on the outlying islands are very limited and expensive - you would need to take everything with you. Medical attention is also limited. Yes, you could fly back to Male in an emergency ,but flights are often cancelled leaving you with a rough 2-3 hour boat transfer which is not what I'd want with a newborn.

Tailfeather · 18/11/2023 09:03

The islands all have doctors. Is there a perfect age not to have a hospital nearby? You could use that argument for any age. If you want to go to the Maldives that is always a rusk at an outlying island. And in terms of supplies, for 3 months old you just need nappies and formula if not breast-feeding. (Although the islands I went to did sell nappies, but v expensive). Cots etc were all provided.

Newhere5 · 18/11/2023 09:16

I would as long as there is a hospital nearby. We took our 3 month old to Thailand ( Koh Samui) it was a wonderful break
as an unexpected bonus baby started sleeping a lot better during the holiday ( maybe due to warm climate?)

PasteyLacey · 18/11/2023 09:27

Tailfeather · 18/11/2023 09:03

The islands all have doctors. Is there a perfect age not to have a hospital nearby? You could use that argument for any age. If you want to go to the Maldives that is always a rusk at an outlying island. And in terms of supplies, for 3 months old you just need nappies and formula if not breast-feeding. (Although the islands I went to did sell nappies, but v expensive). Cots etc were all provided.

I think 3 months is too young for rusks? They're 6 months plus.

ididntthough · 18/11/2023 09:30

PasteyLacey · 18/11/2023 09:27

I think 3 months is too young for rusks? They're 6 months plus.

Show quote history

It clearly is a typo for risk…

Tailfeather · 18/11/2023 09:30

@PasteyLacey 🤣 fat fingers!

whatapalavaaa · 18/11/2023 09:35

Have travelled lots with babies and always been fine. Went to Maldives this year and both dc had medical issue (ear infections) and had to stay an extra 4 nights. Not a massive problem but top tips if you go:
Get good travel insurance
Stay in a resort with a doctor
Get a room on the beach with a private pool

PasteyLacey · 18/11/2023 09:38

ididntthough · 18/11/2023 09:30

It clearly is a typo for risk…

Show quote history

I was clearly joking...

shivawn · 18/11/2023 09:42

I travelled to Mexico for 3 weeks with my 13 week old. Long haul flights were an absolute breeze - breastfeeding really helped here. Loads of people commented as we were getting off the flight that they didn't even know there was a baby close by.

I was a little nervous before hand but it was an incredible trip, I was on such a high the whole time. We've done many more long term trips with him in the last 2 years since then so it was obviously a success.

gotomomo · 18/11/2023 09:44

I travelled a lot with mine but I breastfed, used cloth nappies, Co slept, used a front carrier rather than pushchair when young, then a folding double buggy once we had two. As long as I had access to a washing machine I was fine ... didn't have kids when I went to the Maldives but I travelled to other unusual places fine, just not ones with vaccination requirements beyond the normal ones.

NoItsStillNighttimeDarling · 18/11/2023 09:46

We took a 6 month old to the Maldives for 2 weeks and it was the best holiday of my life!

Small enough that they're easy to entertain and a lovely way for some quality family time!

Shivermetimbersmearty · 18/11/2023 09:56

Don’t think you need to worry about the travel- babies that age are at their most portable. I’d say it’s better to go now than when baby is a toddler.

however, not sure it’s the best idea if you want the experience the Maldives has to offer…will you be taking turns to go snorkelling?

can you get a baby sitter? Is that feasible if you’re breast feeding?

where there are people, it’s possible to have babies! But not sure anyone is having a relaxing time when babies are 3 months.

I suppose it’s going to be a different holiday experience than it was pre-baby wherever you go!

personally, I’d leave Maldives until baby is old enough to be left with grandparents and I could go on a relaxing couples holiday!!

RadRad · 18/11/2023 10:11

It's an incredibly long journey, not just the flight but the transfer to the atol, etc. The climate is very hot and humid 24 hours as it's near the equator, you may be stuck indoors most of the time because of this. If your little one is a chilled baby, you may be fine, with mine it was a challenge going to the nearest supermarket let alone the other side of the world. Amazing destination though!

Jasmine89H · 20/11/2023 09:47

Do it! You won’t regret it. We did it with our 6 month old and was absolutely fine (I was bf and co sleeping though). We did go via Dubai to split up the trip.

we just got back from travelling LA, Mexico and South Africa with our second baby who is little over 3 months (2.5 months at the start of the holiday). Again, was absolutely fine and now we have a 4 year old to entertain as well. In my opinion, it’s the best time to travel as they sleep and feed.

StillWantingADog · 20/11/2023 09:49

I wouldn’t. It all sounds exhausting. Either leave baby with grandparents and go or wait until dc is much older and can enjoy and remember.

Bunnycat101 · 20/11/2023 23:22

I wouldn’t mainly because one of the highlights of my Maldives trip was snorkelling with my husband. We spent so much time in the water and it just wouldn’t have been the same doing that alone while the other person was looking after the baby. That’s aside from some of the other practical things others have mentioned.

I personally found holidays with babies to just be a bit shit until they were about 21/2 and really enjoyed swimming for a good length of time and could just do more stuff. I’ve enjoyed every holiday more each year as my children have grown. I’d love to take them to the Maldives but won’t do it until my youngest is a stronger swimmer and probably around 7.

Original poster
newmomaboutthreads · 04/12/2023 07:58

Just thought I'd update after your all took the time to reply and if anyone is thinking of doing same.
We went! It was amazing and in hindsight easily manageable. When we were booking the hotels however I lost sight of the transfers and we ended up requiring a sea plane and boat 🙄 silly me! That was very stressful on the outbound as didn't know what to expect and worrying I had made totally the wrong choice going out there.
Once there it was amazing, overwater bungalow meant we didn't have to worry about mozzies and insects in our room, just took precautions as we went to island for dinner etc. Private pool meant I wasn't worrying about packing her up to go to the main pool everyday. It also meant I could sunbathe with a a champagne, she could sleep in aircon and my husband could snorkel the reef, all within a few metres of each other. We managed the heat with wet muslins and fans and a parasol. We did have to do some stuff alone eg kayaking and dolphin boat trip. There were quite a few people with babies there in fact.
She was fine on the flights. Much better journey on way back as I was less anxious. I kept her wrapped on me all times so she slept during sea plane and during take off. On landing I fed under a muslin so as to not over stimulate her as she wouldn't sleep.
So glad we went.

OP posts:
hannahbanana2007 · 04/12/2023 11:45

Ah I'm so glad you went and enjoyed! Was hoping you would update - am so jealous I would love to go again one day!😊

staycaysandvacays · 04/12/2023 15:47

@newmomaboutthreads sounds amazing! We've booked for next year and just wondering why you said there were no mozzies in the overwater villa?

Also, which hotel did you go for?

Tailfeather · 04/12/2023 21:57

@newmomaboutthreads Whoop!!! So glad you went and had a brilliant time!!!