Fiji with Emmie at four months: cuckoo?

This is Emily and me in Fiji in May 2010. She was four months old. Mum came with us for the first few days so that was a huge help. In retrospect that holiday was much easier than holidays now, simply because Em couldn't move. She just lay on a towel in the shade and all I worried about was coconuts falling on her.

I took her swimming each morning and afternoon. After about 15 minutes in the water and a quick bath she would fall straight to sleep, exhausted. This trip was my first experience with the famous Fijiian nannies, and wow. Life changer!

Tips for traveling to Fiji with little kids based on this trip:

- Don't aim for a resort on the Coral Coast, unless you enjoy taking your young children on long rides in minivans and don't mind if they don't have car seats. Even though the agent assured me the trip there from the airport was 30 minutes, in reality it was about three hours of Em sitting on my lap in an old minivan (or even in a private car its a long trip). Aim for Denarau so it's only a 10 minute trip from the airport to your hotel.

- It's unlikely a coconut will fall from the tree onto your baby's head.

- If you want to travel with a young child - do it! Just be sensible about where you go, pack what you need - see our checklists for ideas - buy water, and sterilise everything. You CAN do it.

- Get the meal package. Saves money, its easy, and you can give your vouchers to the nanny if you're not hungry!

How young were your kids when you first took them on a trip and where did you go? If you're planning your first trip, where do you want to take them?