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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is this possible? Having a baby in a one bed flat

118 replies

BoredOfWaiting · 06/11/2016 10:22

DH and I live in central London. We have a very good deal on rent in zone two and have a beautiful one bed flat and we have a secure tenancy. We couldn't afford to rent a two bed flat in this area we would have to move much further out which neither of us really want to do. If we were to move further out we would look at buying somewhere in a cheaper area which we could do but probably not for another couple of years as we have more saving to do.

We really want to start trying for a baby. Do you think it would be madness to have a baby in a one bed flat?

The layout is this:
Small hallway
Huge front room we currently have a sofa bed in the corner here as well as a desk and everything else
Decent sized kitchen with dining table
Small bathroom
Small bedroom (not big enough for cot)

Would appreciate any advice!

OP posts:
WaitrosePigeon · 06/11/2016 16:19

We did for a the first year or so with our DS. It was fine. Babies don't need much space.

rainyinnovember · 06/11/2016 16:31

I think you can absolutely have a baby in a flat.

I suppose the question is, when does moving out become imperative?

PetalMettle · 06/11/2016 17:38

I would def get a sling. I find buggies a massive pain with stairs. Look at the next to me cribs or the Amby hammocks as they're easier to move out the way of wardrobes.
If you do decide to switch rooms we have a wheelable coffee table so we just eat on that. DS has a fold up high chair

Sparrowlegs248 · 06/11/2016 18:37

Re buggy, I have an Oyster switch (I think it's called) it's an umbrella fold, and lies flat, and can parent face or face forward. Less than £200.

Caterina99 · 06/11/2016 19:54

My DS was a pretty big baby, but he would have been fine in a bassinet or small cot (travel cot?) Probably up to 6 months. After that you could think about switching bedrooms round etc if you found you were disturbing each other at night.

Even at 16 months and really tall he slept totally fine in a travel cot in my inlaws study when we visited them abroad for 3 weeks. It had a proper mattress though. All the stuff is probably the hardest part but you will just have to be ruthless about getting rid of anything you don't need.

PerpetualStudent · 06/11/2016 20:20

We're in a one bed flat with our 18 month old, and it's been a breeze! Now considering #2!
In fairness, it is a nice airy Victorian ground floor conversion, so no stairs which helps, as does having a garden. Currently have DS in his bed in our room, thinking once/if that stops working we'll either divide off a section of the living room as his bedroom, or turn bedroon into his room (including all toys etc) & front room into 'grown-ups' room, so have the (easily set up) sofa bed & keep it tat-free & chic.
If we go with the kids/grown up room split I see no reason that couldn't continue for a good while with even 2 DC - I guess by the time they're hitting double figures, especially if different genders, we may want more rooms.
We're also in London (zone 3) so have plenty of parks/activities on our doorstep, which definately helps. As does getting on well with co-sleeping.

Princesspinkgirl · 06/11/2016 22:04

I'm in a one bed flat large for what it is and due in December I intend to stay here till baby is 18 months old

lilyb84 · 06/11/2016 22:19

Doing it right now! It's working fine generally although ds at 10 months is an awful sleeper - up every hour most nights and has been since 3 months - and a second room with a spare bed would be a godsend right now for both me and DH!! Otherwise though it's totally manageable. Our tenancy comes up in May at which point we'll definitely be looking to move but that decision will also have a lot to do with our rent going up beyond affordable levels. While it wouldn't be ideal I could imagine staying put until ds is at least 2.5/3.

Good luck!

w12newmum · 06/11/2016 22:23

I will be doing this soon so I hope so! I am expecting it to be fine at first but am a bit worried for the 1-3 age (we hope to move after that) especially as our place is fairly spacious with large bedroom but open plan kitchen/living room. (Rented so can't change), Also not ideal for our shift work or for relatives to visit but we will have to make do - any tips appreciated Grin

hadil · 06/11/2016 22:30

We're in a 1 bed flat with two teens - so 4 of us. We have to be careful about clutter, but it's worth it to be able to live centrally (we're in zone 1). DSs share the bedroom and DH and I have a bed in a sectioned off area of the living room. We built partitions out of plywood, really easy and it feels like a separate room. When they were younger we stayed in the bedroom but had a double loft bed from Ikea and put a single underneath, that had a trundle so we all slept in the same room. We've never had a garden or balcony but it's so easy to get to parks that it's not been a problem. I don't really get the idea that kids need to run around, ours were quite happy sitting with the lego for hours on end.

BlurtonOnKites4eva · 06/11/2016 22:39

Yes it's fine. We were in our teeny tiny 1 bed and have just moved recently to a two bed flat, but that's only because we luckily have started earning more money, we would have managed fine where we were before. When DD started walking I made sure I took her out at least once a day so she could stretch her legs but I still do that in the new, loads bigger, flat. She's got her own room now but there's no way she'll sleep in it! We got a small dinky pram so that didn't take up loads of room. Other than that little kids are only small, I don't understand why some people think you need loads of room for them!

itlypocerka · 06/11/2016 22:40

We were fine in one bedroom for 2 years. I did make plans for what to if we couldn't move. A mid-sleeper double bed would provide enough space under for extra storage plus a cot (with legs cut short) or low toddler bed, until such time as dc old enough for bunk bed (double below, single above) But I'm glad we didn't have to!

yummycake123 · 06/11/2016 22:45

We lived in a 1 bed flat in London (zone 3) when our son was born. We moved out when he was 1 and a half.
It was perfectly fine, we never felt stressed about it. Babies don't need much space/stuff when they are small. We didn't have a garden but had lots of parks and playgrounds near us. Our bedroom was quite big so there was plenty of space for the cot. But in your case, you could do what others suggest and put the cot in the small bedroom and have a sofa bed in the living room for you?

HedgehogHedgehog · 06/11/2016 22:48

we did this for the first year (cot in an area of our large living room) and it was fine. Would be a problem with an older child i think tho.

Enidblyton1 · 06/11/2016 23:02

I'd say absolutely fine until about the age of 2. You might be fine for longer, but I don't think I would have coped much past that age.
You'll have to be v strict about the amount of baby stuff you accumulate (including the inevitable mountain of toys).

Baylisiana · 06/11/2016 23:10

I would say you'll be fine OP, but I do think that getting stuff cleared out and organised beforehand will be a big help if you can manage it. It will also mean that when you do move packing up will be easier which I am sure will be good with a little one about.

I actually know someone who had her and her DH, two children and two cats in a one bed for a few years.

AndNowItsSeven · 06/11/2016 23:19

It's absolutely fine until about age 7, longer if you are prepared to sleep 😴 n the living room.

AndNowItsSeven · 06/11/2016 23:19

Sorry that's IOS 10

TheLuckDragon · 06/11/2016 23:20

I know of a couple who have 3 kids under 3 in a 1 bedroom flat. It's obviously not ideal but they make it work

AnaDD · 09/11/2021 10:15

Hello everyone.
Is it legally possible to purchase a 1 bedroom flat if you have a child (18 months old)?
We can't afford to buy a 2 bedroom flat.
Thank you

YoungGiftedPlump · 09/11/2021 10:23

@YelloDraw

I think her 'one bedroom flat' is a bit misleading as I'm sure she's said before they have dinner parties for eight people in it

Huh? 1 bed flat means 1 bedroom. It doesn't give any information on the square footage.

Bringing up a baby in 450sq foot? No thanks. 700sq foot like our 1 bed? (Which we host dinner parties for 12...) Totally doable.

We have a 468sq ft and the layout would be ideal for a baby There is a dining hall as well as 1 bed , living room, bedroom and bathroom. Purpose built Victorian. Very flexible space
ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 09/11/2021 10:27

AnaDD
You would be better creating your own thread than bumping up and old one.

There are no legal restrictions on the size of property you buy.

vajingleberry · 09/11/2021 11:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Cantthinkofaname21 · 09/11/2021 11:06

Not quite the same but we had a baby and a six year old in a two bedroom ground floor flat (very small second bedroom) we also had access to our own private garden. We lasted 6 months! It was cosy but eventually everyone needed their own space. We accepted we had to move to a cheaper area! Was hard as my older one had to move school but worth it as everyone got on better once moved!

AnaDD · 09/11/2021 11:12

Sorry ladies. I've put the question in the wrong place. I will create my own thread.
Thank you for replying me