Hello

I'm making a list of what to pack for a beach holiday DH and I are going on with DS (16 months old) for one week in November (and I'm 17 weeks preggo).

I'm drafting up a list of what we'll need to pack ...

So far, I've got:-

  • bucketloads of suncream
  • hats for everyone
  • swimmers for everyone
  • extra towels
  • sunnies for everyone (though at the moment, DS has more interest in trying to eat his...)
  • baby panadol (teething...)
  • five toys that can get wet and sandy and not be ruined and which don't need batteries etc
  • three bottles (DS still has a bottle in the morning and before bed, and occasionally overnight during growth spurts)
  • sippy/straw cup for DS and water bottle for DH and me
  • baby bowls, spoons and forks
  • little tubs to pack snacks
  • beach tent of some variety (I have vampire skin, and burn when I look at pictures of the beach...)
  • moisturiser
  • zantac and pramin (in case morning sickness hasn't gone away yet)
  • preggo vitamins
  • three changes of beachy clothes each
  • one warm outfit each
  • one sleeping outsit each
  • disposable nappies
  • an umbrella
  • camera with spare batteries
  • normal handbag stuff
  • normal nappybag stuff
  • normal toiletries (shampoo, soap, toothbrush & paste, hairbrush, hairties, razors, etc)
  • craploads of books and magazines
  • a bunny rug of some variety which DS can nap on, in the shade, when he gets pooped out


I'm planning on NOT taking:
  • portacot (there will be a cot there)
  • highchair (there will be one there)
  • carseat (shouldn't need one)
  • raincoats (unlikely to need them, and will take up too much room)
  • cloth nappies and wipes and liners, etc
  • food (there's apparently a coles nearby)
  • anything even remotely work related...


We are undecided about taking the pram ... I am leaning towards yes, because DS is too big for our carrier, and by the time we go I'll be about 23 weeks pg and will *not* want to be carrying my beautiful boofa around too much ... and am guessing DH will be fine with it, but it's not fair for him to have to do all the lugging either ... and at any rate, it can be very convenient having DS in the pram, under the shade cover, and the bucket underneath is handy ... but am I overthinking it? Will we actually spend much time walking around, as opposed to sitting on our bums on the beach?

Bringing me to my next question ... what is realistic for DS at the beach? we've bought him a little bucket and spade for him to play with, and he loves the pool and the bath, so we're guessing he's going to love the ocean (when it's warm!!) but I'm not so naive as to think DS will happily play with his bucket and spade and cars for three hours while DH and I read our books and have a proper swim ...

What is realistic?

And my other question for those of you who have travelled with babies or small children: what am I forgetting? What is on my "not bringing" list which I actually *will* want? And what is on my "yes" list which I don't need?

Any practical advice would be muchly appreciated

Thanks!