Reality? It was beautiful, exhausting, eye-opening, and honestly one of the best decisions we made as a family, but not for the reasons Instagram would have you believe.
I’m going to be straight with you here, friend to friend. Bali can be baby-friendly, but only if you plan smart and let go of expectations early on. I learned that the hard way, usually around 3 a.m. when a jet-lagged baby decided sleep was optional.
The Flight to Bali with a Baby Is the First Real Test
Let’s start with the flight, because that’s where doubts creep in fast. Long-haul flights with a baby will humble you. I don’t care how confident you are.
I overpacked toys like I was opening a daycare mid-air, and somehow my baby still wanted the safety card more than anything else. That was my first lesson: babies don’t care about your Pinterest packing list.
If you’re flying to Bali from the US, expect at least 18–24 hours of travel time depending on layovers. Bassinets help, but don’t assume you’ll get one. Request it early, confirm it again, then emotionally prepare to not get it anyway.
One thing that saved us was timing feeds during takeoff and landing. Ear pressure is real, and crying babies feel worse at 35,000 feet. Bottles, breastfeeding, pacifiers — use whatever works, no judgment.
Also, bring more diapers than you think you’ll need just for the flight. Delays happen. I learned that lesson while rationing diapers like they were gold bars.
Choosing the Right Area in Bali with a Baby Matters a Lot
This is where many parents mess up, myself included at first. Bali is not one vibe. It’s like five destinations wearing the same island outfit.
Ubud sounds peaceful, but those narrow roads and long drives made nap schedules fall apart real quick. Seminyak and Canggu were much easier with a baby because everything was closer, flatter, and more stroller-friendly.
If I had to do it again, I’d choose:
- Sanur for calm beaches and sidewalks
- Nusa Dua for resorts with baby amenities
- Seminyak for convenience and restaurants
Canggu is trendy and fun, but the traffic can be brutal. Sitting in a car with a fussy baby while scooters buzz past you will test your patience, trust me.
Baby-Friendly Accommodations Are Not Optional in Bali
I thought any “luxury villa” would magically work for a baby. Nope. Some villas are stunning but wildly unsafe for crawling humans. Open staircases, fish ponds, infinity pools with zero barriers.
We switched accommodations after realizing our place was basically a baby obstacle course. Best decision ever.
Look for:
- Ground-floor rooms
- Gated pools or no pools
- Cribs (ask for photos, not promises)
- On-site restaurants for lazy nights
Hotels and resorts often handle babies better than private villas. It’s not as “authentic,” but authenticity doesn’t help when you’re heating formula at midnight.
Getting Around Bali with a Baby Is… Complicated
Let’s talk transportation because this part stressed me out more than anything. Bali doesn’t do car seats the way the US does. That’s just the truth.
We brought our own car seat, and yes, it was bulky and annoying. But I slept better knowing we had it. Many drivers will say they can “hold the baby,” which is a hard no from me.
Hiring a private driver for the day worked better than short rides. Less moving, more predictability. Also, drivers are usually incredibly kind and patient with babies. That part surprised me in a good way.
Strollers are useful in malls and resorts, but sidewalks are hit or miss. A baby carrier was our MVP. I practically lived in it.
Dealing with Heat and Humidity with a Baby
Bali is hot. Not cute-hot. Sweat-through-your-shirt hot. Babies feel it too, and they don’t politely ignore discomfort.
Lightweight cotton clothes, frequent breaks, and midday downtime saved us. We learned quickly to plan outings early morning or late afternoon.
Hydration matters even for babies. Extra feeds, more rest, fewer expectations. If you try to “do it all,” you’ll burn out by day three. I did.
Air conditioning at night is helpful, but don’t blast it. That mistake led to a stuffy nose and a guilt spiral I didn’t need.
Food, Formula, and Baby Supplies in Bali
This part stressed me out before the trip more than it should have. Bali actually has solid access to baby supplies, especially in tourist areas.
You can find:
- Formula (different brands, so bring your own if picky)
- Diapers (sizes vary, stock fluctuates)
- Baby wipes everywhere
We packed our preferred formula and enough diapers for the first few days. After that, we shopped locally. Pepito, Guardian, and even some pharmacies had decent options.
If your baby is starting solids, Bali is fruit heaven. Bananas, papaya, avocado — easy wins. Just wash everything with bottled water. Yes, bottled. Every time.
Health and Medical Care for Babies in Bali
I won’t sugarcoat this. I worried about medical care constantly before we left.
The reality? International clinics in Bali are solid, especially in areas like Seminyak and Nusa Dua. We visited one for a mild fever, and the experience was calm and professional.
Travel insurance is non-negotiable. I don’t care how healthy your baby is. Just get it. Peace of mind alone is worth the price.
Bring a small baby medical kit: thermometer, fever reducer, nasal spray. Finding exact brands you trust can be tricky.
Sleep Schedules Will Be Wrecked (And That’s Okay)
Jet lag with a baby is chaos. There’s no elegant way to say that. Night becomes day, naps disappear, and you question all your life choices.
We stopped fighting it after a few days. Instead of forcing schedules, we followed sleepy cues. Some nights were rough. Others surprised us.
Blackout curtains helped more than I expected. So did white noise apps. Don’t rely on silence in Bali. Roosters are fearless and loud.
Eventually, things settled. Not perfectly, but enough to enjoy ourselves.
What Bali Taught Me About Traveling with a Baby
This trip changed how I see travel. I used to chase experiences. Now I value moments.
Watching my baby smile in warm ocean air. Lazy breakfasts while holding a sleepy little human. Slowing down without feeling guilty. Bali forced that shift, whether I liked it or not.
I messed up plenty. Overplanned days, underestimated naps, stressed about things that didn’t matter. But I also learned that babies adapt better than adults sometimes.
Would I recommend traveling to Bali with a baby? Yes, but only if you’re flexible, patient, and okay with imperfect days.
Final Advice If You’re Traveling to Bali with a Baby
If I had to sum it up simply, here’s what I’d tell you:
- Choose convenience over aesthetics
- Bring essentials, buy the rest locally
- Slow way down
- Let go of expectations
Bali with a baby isn’t about ticking off temples or chasing sunsets. It’s about learning how little you actually need to be happy.
And honestly? That lesson stuck with me long after we flew home.