Hey hun

How exciting

We've done a bit of beaching with the kids... let me see if I can help...

Take the pram. For all the reasons you've listed, take it. Added bonus that if he gets tired while you're out and about, he may just close his eyes for a minute if he's in the comfort of the pram.

I forget where you decided to go - are you flying? If so, the pram isn't counted as "excess" for most airlines, but check their websites. Travelling with a bub you get extra baggage allowance, as long as its baby stuff.

Why won't you need a carseat? Are you not driving anywhere? Remind me where you are off to and I'll revist that one because...

Yes, its not going to happen that you and DH both will get to kick back and relax on the beach. At least one of you will need to be with DS all the time, because he's most likely going to be so excited to be at this BEACH thing that he won't sit still! So plan for that - he might need to go for lots of exciting beach walks and rockpool rambles. Has he got some comfy walking sandal type shoes? Something that can get wet - guaranteed he will be jumping in and out of the water, shoes or no shoes!

Also have a think about what you are going to do if he gets bored at the beach. Where else can you go?

I always overpack on clothes. My theory is - if a child vomits in the middle of the night, do you have a backup of everything, in case you need to do the emergency change without time to wash/dry? So I took two sleeping bags, loads of clothes, just in case that happened. And it has happened, a few times.

Are there going to be washing facilities there? The other thing that is highly likely is that you come back from the beach with one change of clothes wet and sandy, put the second on, then you've only got one back up. Maybe consider packing some extra clothes!

Towels - do you really need towels? What does the place you are staying at provide?