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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Living in a flat with a baby ...

57 replies

Lisarobinson444 · 16/02/2018 08:55

I’m due to have a baby in 3 months.
Currently rent my 1 bed flat through my local authority.
It’s a first floor flat.
I have my own front door,you open and it’s a small square than my stairs and the top is a landing.
I’m a bit worried about getting the pushchair up and down the stairs etc.
Luckily the flat is massive and I can easily fit a cot and even a double and single bed in my bedroom (if Needed)
The lounge is massive too so can easily fit toys etc
I’ve been told to keep bidding on 2 bed properties but still coming 40th etc.
Has anyone else managed in a 1 bed flat?

OP posts:
Makingworkwork · 16/02/2018 08:58

Do you have a car? If you do then you can keep the pram in the car.

MsSquiz · 16/02/2018 08:59

Would there be enough space just behind the front door where you can leave the pushchair? Even if it's folded up?
I know that is what my mum did when I was a baby as it saved her taking the whole pushchair upstairs unnecessarily Smile

SaucyJack · 16/02/2018 09:00

Unless you have a disability then it's a complete non-issue. Thousands and thousands of people live in flats without a bedroom each.

Just make sure you have a good look at the position of the brake on the pram you're planning to buy, and check it isn't going to catch on the stairs as you bump it up and down. Also, bigger wheels are easier than smaller ones on stairs.

Kittykatmacbill · 16/02/2018 09:01

Leave the buggy at the bottom of the stairs. Sorted.

We were in a 2nd floor flat until my youngest was two, it was utterly fine.

SloanePeterson · 16/02/2018 09:02

I lived in a a one bed when my dc1 was born. It was tiny but we coped. We then lived with 3 dc in a first floor flat. Best thing for getting a prom up and down is either a light buggy you can pick up and carry with baby inside (we had a Maclaren which was perfect for this, couldn’t do it nowadays as I have a bad back) or something with bouncy tyres. Even better, a sling so you don’t have to worry about a buggy at all.

ambereeree · 16/02/2018 09:05

Can you leave the buggy downstairs?Otherwise its fine, more than enough space. Good luck!

GreenTulips · 16/02/2018 09:05

Look for a pram with 'one handed fold' if you need to carry it up the stairs.

Also you can swap to a light weight stroller when they are a few months old.

You won't get a two bed until the baby is born so you need to wait before bidding.

Original poster
Lisarobinson444 · 16/02/2018 09:07

I don’t have a car no but partner does.
I’m stuck between decorating this flat really nice or holding out on the off chance I get a two bed.

OP posts:
Original poster
Lisarobinson444 · 16/02/2018 09:08

Stupidly didn’t even think about folding the pram...talk about baby brain.

OP posts:
FelixCited · 16/02/2018 09:10

I had a buggy hook fixed to the wall & hung my pram up at the bottom of the stairs.

Akire · 16/02/2018 09:12

You can’t usual leave buggies in communism hallways due fire safety. But takebaby up then bump the buggy. It depends where you are but technically you will not be overcrowded until the child is at least 2. Even though many people could be ahead of you. I’m in London mind so could be very different where you are.

WellThisIsShit · 16/02/2018 09:13

Yes it’s fine. We lived eminent a one bed until DS was 4yrs old. Not a problem.

PrincessHairyMclary · 16/02/2018 09:13

I have similar, the small square just fit the buggy in and that's where it lived no need to take it up and down if you have a private entrance.

Bettyswitch · 16/02/2018 09:13

I managed many moons ago in a 1st floor flat as a teenage mum. Only adivce i can give is invest in a lightweight pram, it was a ball ache but found that taking the baby out and depositing in the flat first, then bring up the pram/shopping separately.

FluffyMcCloud · 16/02/2018 09:13

I lived in a flat when DS1 was a baby - I didn't use a buggy much I carried him in a sling mostly. We had a pram shed but it was a bit horrid so I would carry the buggy (folded) on the odd occasion I'd need it while either carrying baby in sling or when he was older he'd walk down the stairs. I made sure I bought a super lightweight buggy suitable from newborn. It wasn't really a problem at all Smile

ThisLittleKitty · 16/02/2018 09:14

I lived in a 3rd floor flat with two kids in a double buggy. I wasn't allowed to leave the pram downstairs as it was apparently a fire hazard so had to bump it up and down 48 steps daily (yes I counted) plenty of people live like this. Your not the only one.

ThisLittleKitty · 16/02/2018 09:15

Just be thankful you don't need a double lightweight foldable buggies are really not heavy.

BarbarianMum · 16/02/2018 09:16

Suggest you buy a "from birth" stroller (the ones that recline completely) and forget the pram. We lived in a second floor flat (no lift) with ds1 and it was fine. Carrying everything was a bit of a pain but our stairs were communal so you had to take everything up/down at once. We did move 3 weeks after ds2 was born though.

museumum · 16/02/2018 09:17

We were in a second floor flat till youngest was 2.
When he was tiny I would carry him up and put him in his cot then go down for the pram but once he was bigger and mobile I’d just gently bump him up backwards - he could sleep through it if I was careful.

alpineibex · 16/02/2018 09:17

We can't leave the buggy anywhere in our block of flats as it's likely to get stolen.
My partner helps walk her up while I carry the pushchair/or other way around.
Before, when I was living alone with my daughter, I would leave the pushchair at the bottom of the stairs, drop her off into her travel cot with a few toys, then quickly dash back down the stairs and back to collect the pushchair. Because it would be stolen or it would be obstructing the path of others as the corridors are so narrow.

alpineibex · 16/02/2018 09:19

I'm in London, 3 of us in a studio flat, one room. Not even allowed on the Housing Register as we haven't lived here enough years!

RebelRogue · 16/02/2018 09:24

Odds are you won't get a two bed flat.
You won't be classed as overcrowded because baby is supposed to sleep in your room for the first few months,and now the livingroom counts as sleeping space.
So do this flat up,make it nice and make do with what it is.

Original poster
Lisarobinson444 · 16/02/2018 09:32

It’s strange because when I got this flat they said children weren’t allowed now apparently it’s ok to live in.
They make rules up as they go along.
I’m deffo going to do it up nice,well tbh I love it here,there’s a huge back garden (for up and down flat) but guy doesn’t use it.
It’s quiet area,close to town.
Think it will be ok.
Thanks for suggestions regarding pram.

OP posts:
Makingworkwork · 16/02/2018 09:33

Look at slings too.

ThisLittleKitty · 16/02/2018 09:35

So it said children weren't allowed yet you still have one then expect them to rehouse you quicker? 40 seems pretty high to me in my council you would be coming 400.