Traveling Cambodia with a Baby – Tips, Useful Information & Our Experiences

A trip to Cambodia is becoming increasingly popular, especially among families with children. And for a good reason!
The country is extremely child-friendly and offers an excellent healthcare system for tourists. With its warm temperatures all year round, significantly lower cost of living compared to Western countries, a variety of fascinating attractions and activities, as well as its vibrant culture, Cambodia is an ideal destination for families with babies and toddlers.

Before we embarked on our parental leave adventure in Cambodia with our then 11-month-old daughter, we naturally had countless questions, uncertainties, and concerns about whether everything would work out as we had imagined.

Looking back, we can say with full conviction that our initial uncertainties and concerns were completely unfounded. The time we spent with our baby in Cambodia was wonderful.
Aside from the fact that we would stay longer next time, we would do everything exactly the same way again!

If you are now considering whether to embark on the adventure to Cambodia with a baby, we would like to share our experiences with you in this post.
It’s intended to help answer your questions and ease any worries or concerns you might have about such a trip. Ideally, we can also help support your travel planning.

BEFORE THE TRIP

1. ADDITIONAL VACCINATIONS FOR CAMBODIA

The decision to vaccinate your baby additionally lies entirely with you.
From a health perspective, you as a parent need to weigh the pros and cons of (not) vaccinating your child and take responsibility for this decision.
The most common additional vaccinations include those against typhoid, Japanese encephalitis, rabies, and hepatitis A.

After consulting our pediatrician, we decided against administering any additional vaccinations beyond those recommended by the national guidelines, as our daughter was only eight months old when we began our five-month parental leave journey through Southeast Asia.

2. PEDIATRIC CHECK-UPS

Before embarking on our travels, we ensured that all health check-ups for the period were conducted by our pediatrician.
Since we had our daughter's routine health check-up at around 7 months, the next one wasn’t scheduled until her first birthday.
Therefore, we didn’t need to visit a pediatrician during our five-month parental leave abroad.

If a check-up is scheduled during your trip, we recommend discussing with your pediatrician in advance whether it’s possible to bring it forward or delay it until after your return.

‍Our tip: In case of a medical emergency abroad, we recommend saving the health booklet digitally on a USB stick or hard drive, so you don’t need to carry the entire booklet with you.

3. BOOKING THE RIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS

For a round trip, we generally recommend booking at least the first accommodations at home before departure.
This saves you the hassle of finding a suitable place after arriving with jetlag and a baby.
We always booked the other accommodations with a cancellation option, in case our daughter got sick, and we couldn’t travel that day (luckily, that never happened).

As for the facilities of the accommodation, besides air conditioning, a private bathroom, and sufficient space, we paid particular attention to having a balcony or veranda.
This way, we weren’t confined to a dark room with our sleeping baby at night. Thanks to our baby monitor with a camera, we could keep an eye on our daughter at all times and quickly get to her if she woke up. We also looked for accommodations with a swimming pool whenever possible since our daughter is a real “water baby”.
She loved cooling off and splashing around in the pool before or after sightseeing.

To avoid long travel distances, we made sure the accommodation was centrally located and close to the attractions/activities we had selected in advance.

In Cambodia, there is a wide range of hotels and accommodations, from hostels and low-budget hotels to affordable mid-range hotels and luxurious all-inclusive accommodations.
Besides hotels, there are also plenty of self-catering accommodations, such as apartments. You’ll surely find the right place for your needs on platforms like Airbnb or booking.com.

Here’s a small overview of our most beautiful and comfortable accommodations:

• The Elephant in Siem Reap
• Aquarius Hotel and Urban Resort in Phnom Penh – stunning rooftop pool and rooftop
• Rainforest Hotel by NSUN in Kampot

Good to know: When searching for and booking accommodations, we always listed only two adults, as children up to the age of two can usually stay for free.

DURING THE TRIP

1. FLYING LONG-HAUL WITH A BABY

Before our first long-haul flight with a baby, we were quite concerned. Would she manage the pressure equalization well (a pacifier helps a lot with this), would she sleep, and how could we keep her occupied in such a small space for so long (she was already crawling by then)? We also worried about how our seat neighbors would react if she cried frequently or for a long time. In the end, it turned out to be not so bad. Although we arrived exhausted, as she needed our attention almost nonstop, we were prepared for this.

Parents should remind themselves to stay relaxed, as children often mirror their parents’ calmness. Try not to see the flight as an obstacle but as part of the journey.

Children up to two years old don’t need their own seat on the plane, but many parents opt to book an extra seat for convenience.
We never booked a separate seat for our daughter on either long-haul or short-haul flights and always kept her on our lap.
At takeoff and landing, we secured her with an airline-provided loop belt – an extra strap that attaches to the parent’s belt, which was perfectly sufficient for us.

Our tip: Sometimes it’s cheaper to book two seats in business class rather than three seats (for parents and child) in economy class.
That was the case for us, for example, on the Munich to Bangkok route.

As for toys, we don’t want to make specific recommendations since each child develops individually. We can only share what kept our daughter entertained for some time.
At eight months, she was particularly interested in books with faces, a small doll (especially the face), rattles, spinner toys, colorful stacking cups, some beach toys, and anything we had in our hands. She was also fascinated by emptying all our bags and pouches.

For meals, we brought over a liter of water for her bottle and two jars of baby food.
We were checked at security, but when they saw our daughter, they returned our bag without further questions.
During the flight, the crew offered to heat both her bottle and jars multiple times. We found that the cabin crew was very accommodating to the needs of their youngest passengers.

2. MEDICAL CARE IN CAMBODIA

In Cambodia, you don’t need to worry about receiving treatment from a doctor or clinic in an emergency.
In tourist centers like Siem Reap or Phnom Penh, doctors and clinics for tourists meet Western standards.
In fact, we found some of them to be even more modern than those in many Western countries.
In serious cases, we recommend seeking medical advice, especially regarding your baby’s health.

Pharmacies in Cambodia offer a wide selection of medications at affordable prices, especially in larger cities like Phnom Penh or Siem Reap.
Many drugs, including some that usually require a prescription in other countries, can be purchased over the counter.
However, to ensure the quality and authenticity of the medications, it’s best to buy from reputable pharmacies such as U-Care Pharmacy or Pharmacie de la Gare.

In addition to quick medical treatment, don’t overlook the cost of this treatment and medications, as this is also an important consideration.
Public health insurance does not cover these costs. Therefore, taking out private foreign health insurance in advance was essential for us.
We compared insurance on Check24 and chose the one that suited us best.Insurance usually costs a small amount per year, and in an emergency, it’s worth every penny.

Our tip: Make sure that comprehensive coverage without limit caps and, in the case of serious illness, repatriation is included. It’s also essential to keep all receipts for medical treatments and medication you paid for in advance so you can file claims with your insurance later or have a record.

All additional information is available in our separate article, “Cambodia Travel Planning – Tips & General Information for Your Dream Trip”.

3. BABY FOOD & DRINK IN CAMBODIA: FORMULA, PUREES & MORE

This is probably the topic we worried about most in advance. We had already started with solid foods (baby-led weaning and fruit purées) alongside infant formula.
This made us wonder if there would be suitable formula, as well as healthy, age-appropriate food options for our daughter, and where we could find them.
And once again, we had worried too much. Yes, there are babies in Cambodia who need food too!

You can find a selection of milk powder, rice-based baby food, squeezable fruit pouches, and occasionally baby food jars, although the selection is somewhat limited, in large supermarkets and specialized baby stores. It’s important to note that formula in Cambodia is extremely expensive.
The price per pack/container typically starts at $10, and Aptamil was particularly shocking at $34 per can.
Fortunately, we had read by chance about the high prices beforehand and brought enough formula for our stay in Cambodia.
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Infant formula for newborns is available in Cambodia, especially in major cities like Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, with international brands like Nestlé and Enfamil stocked in supermarkets and pharmacies. However, availability can vary, and your preferred brand might not always be in stock.
If you exclusively use infant formula, we recommend bringing enough from home for the start of your trip to ensure your baby has what they are used to.
Similarly, bringing familiar food from home can help your little one adapt gradually to new surroundings.
Keep in mind that your baby may already be adjusting to jet lag, high temperatures, and many new stimuli.

If you prefer to prepare food yourself, you can find almost all the essentials, such as oatmeal, pasta, rice, potatoes, fresh meat, plain yogurt, a variety of fruits, and more, in the supermarkets. However, you’ll need a kitchen in your accommodation, which wasn’t always an option for us as it limited our choice of accommodations.

Generally, our motto for food during our entire Southeast Asia trip was “Boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it”. We only drank bottled water, never tap water.
We washed our daughter’s bottles with tap water but regularly rinsed and boiled them with hot water.

4. DIAPERS & WIPES IN CAMBODIA

Diapers and wipes are widely available in Cambodia. In larger supermarkets and baby stores, you’ll find various diaper options.
If you’re looking for “Pampers-quality”, we recommend trying Mamypoko diapers.
If you prefer diapers with side tapes, be sure to look out for this feature, as most diapers in Cambodia are pull-ups. Initially, it was a slight adjustment for us, but we quickly adapted.
We found diaper prices in Cambodia to be relatively high, though fortunately not as expensive as formula. To save money, it’s best to bring a small diaper supply from home.

Swim diapers are practically unavailable in Cambodia. So, we recommend bringing a reusable swim diaper with you.

Changing tables are also rare. We often had to improvise and quickly change our daughter in a quiet corner of a restaurant or side street. Necessity is the mother of invention!
We were very grateful for our washable changing mat, which proved to be a real all-rounder and must-have in these situations.

5. LAUNDRY IN CAMBODIA

Laundry is straightforward in Cambodia. There are plenty of laundry services in the cities, which is convenient since you need to wash baby clothes frequently.
We usually used a laundry service once or twice a week. Our verdict: Just like anywhere else, there are both good and less good laundries.  
Most of the time, our clothes were cleaned well, retained their color, and didn’t have strong detergent scents. Charges are usually based on weight.

6. SUN & MOSQUITO PROTECTION IN CAMBODIA

Sun and mosquito protection for toddlers is often straightforward: they’re simply sprayed or smeared with repellent. For babies, opinions differ.
Some prefer only physical protection like suitable clothing and mosquito nets, while others also use chemical agents like sunscreen and mosquito spray.

In our country, physical protection may be sufficient. In the tropics, however, it wasn’t enough for us. The sun was usually shining from morning till evening.
Of course, we used every shaded spot and avoided the midday sun. Still, it was unavoidable for our daughter to be exposed to the sun while playing in the water or on the beach.
The same was true when we were out and about. In the stroller and carrier, she was always exposed to the sun, even though we covered her with a light cloth.
For this reason, we applied sunscreen whenever we felt it was necessary.
Long clothing was only suitable for us in the evening, as we found even light clothing too warm during the day and didn’t want to subject our daughter to that.
Even in a short-sleeved bodysuit, she often sweated heavily.

In the water, she also wore longer UV-protection swimwear. Something we wouldn’t want to do without now is her baby sunglasses.
We initially worried she wouldn’t wear them for long, but apparently, she also found the brightness too intense, and she happily kept them on. The elastic band ensured a secure fit.

To reduce the risk of dengue or malaria infection, we also used mosquito repellent spray or lotion on her. We purchased both the mosquito lotion and spray locally.
They’re available in nearly every supermarket. In some restaurants, the staff even offered us mosquito spray, indicating they also use it.

7. STROLLER AND/OR CARRIER IN CAMBODIA

We brought both a lightweight, compact travel stroller and a carrier. This decision turned out to be perfect for us.

We purchased the travel stroller specifically for our long trip to Southeast Asia.
When buying, we focused on finding one with all the features important to us, like a reclining position, sun canopy, and spacious storage basket.
It also needed to be affordable, compact, and especially lightweight.
The Hauck sport stroller met all these criteria and proved to be a versatile companion. When there was no high chair, we used the stroller.
Our daughter could sit securely to eat, and afterward, we could occupy her with toys for a few minutes so we could eat relatively undisturbed.

Since most airlines allow two pieces of child equipment for free, we could bring the stroller right up to the gate without any hassle.

Despite the stroller, our Manduca carrier was used just as often, if not more. Along the main roads, it was almost impossible to navigate the stroller on the often poor sidewalks.
Another important factor was the sensory overload and lack of emotional security for our baby.
In the first few weeks, our then 10-month-old daughter sought our physical closeness due to the abundance of new sights and sounds.
‍The carrier had always been a place of safety and comfort for her since birth, helping her process the many new impressions without stress.
When it became too much for her, she could easily take a “safety nap” in the carrier.
A big advantage of the carrier is that it’s very handy and lightweight, taking up little space in a suitcase or backpack. It also allows hands-free movement, unlike a stroller.

8. TRANSPORTATION & CHILD SEATS IN CAMBODIA

Opinions about transporting babies and toddlers in Cambodia vary widely. What’s considered an absolute no-go in our country may be normal for Cambodians.
Therefore, we want to emphasize that we are only sharing our experiences and opinions here. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide if this is the right choice for you.

In Cambodia, as in other Southeast Asian countries, it’s common for children of all ages to ride in cars without child seats.
If you order a taxi, Grab, Bolt, or similar, it’s highly unlikely they’ll have a child seat. In this case, you’ll need to hold your child on your lap.

However, this doesn’t mean child seats are unavailable in Cambodia. When booking a transfer, whether for longer distances or to the airport, some providers offer car seats upon request, usually for a small fee. The same applies when booking a rental car – baby seats or child seats can be added for a small fee.

Every car seat we received was secured with a 3-point belt system, as Isofix is either unknown or not yet widespread in Cambodia. This was completely sufficient for us.
It’s also essential to know that these are simple car seats or baby seats. Don’t expect the same comfort and features you’re used to at home.
If this seems too risky, you might consider bringing your car seat. However, keep in mind that it may only be used briefly and then sit unused in your accommodation.
If you’re flying to another destination, you may need to check the car seat as extra baggage for an additional fee.

What might concern many more than car rides without a seatbelt or car seat is riding a scooter with a baby or toddler. However, for Cambodians, this is entirely normal.
You often see not only one but two or more children on a scooter, with the youngest often held in someone’s arms.
Admittedly, we had many reservations about this initially, viewing it from our own perspective.
However, as experienced scooter riders, we had already decided that if we felt safe on-site and it seemed right, we would, like the locals, ride a scooter with our baby.

We traveled almost everywhere by scooter in Cambodia, except in the capital. We didn’t encounter any dangerous situations, as we always drove responsibly and carefully.
We avoided riding at dusk whenever possible. Our daughter was always in a carrier and “sat” securely between us.
We protected her arms and legs from the sun by clipping a cloth with clothespins to cover her.
We even found a helmet that fit her well, mainly serving as extra sun protection, while the visor protected against dirt and other particles.

All further information on renting a scooter and essential safety tips can be found in our post, “Renting a Scooter in Cambodia – Helpful Tips & Information”.

9. PACKING LIST: TRAVELING WITH A BABY & TODDLER TO CAMBODIA

We’ve put together our detailed packing list for a trip with a baby to Cambodia or Southeast Asia in our post “Packing List for Traveling with a Baby to Asia”.
We hope it will be helpful in preparing for your trip.

10. OTHER FAMILIES WITH BABIES/TODDLERS

Finally, you’re not the only ones traveling in Cambodia with a baby. We met many other families there, some with babies as young as 2 or 3 months.
Alongside Cambodian babies and children, our daughter had plenty of international playmates, and we connected with like-minded parents to share experiences.

USEFUL LINKS & RECOMMENDED TRAVEL GUIDES FOR YOU

• Find affordable Transfers with 12Go.com
• Find affordable rental cars at rentalcars.com
• Find affordable flights at skyscanner.com
• Discover the best accommodations
• The best Travel Guides for Cambodia
• Unique Excursions to Experience in Cambodia

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Note: This blog post contains our personal recommendations in the form of so-called affiliate links. If you book or purchase something through these links, we earn a small commission. There is absolutely no change to the price for you.