Living in a flat with a baby ...

[Lisarobinson444]

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?

You'll be fine. I would be surprised if they let you leave the pram downstairs as it's usually a fire hazard and to be honest it's not fair for you to be storing your personal stuff in a communal hall that everyone pays for.

We live in a 3rd floor, no lift and it works fine. We leave the pram in the car but as you won't have that option I would suggest looking for a really lightweight stroller that can be used from birth. And a baby carrier (look at carrier ones if your worried about slings, neither will break but a carrier feels more supportive to me). If you strap baby to you, you can easily carry pram and baby down the stairs.

Having had a baby in a flat and a house, I found the flat much easier!

See if you can find a buggy that can be left at the bottom of the stairs.
Get a stairgate, obviously.
Sleeping with baby in your room is fine, think mine was 18 months before we moved him out.

You’ll be fine! We have DS in a 1st floor conversion (ie twisty narrow communal stairs and no lifts, plus steep steps out front to get to the pavement).

Slings are an absolute godsend, far far easier up and down steps than a pushchair. If you get a decent one you can use it until they’re walking (DS is 11mo and 10kg and I still take him on 6km walks in it). Or get a soft fabric one while they’re tiny and a more structured one for 3mo+. See if there’s a sling library near you, I rented mine for a month for £10 so I could check I got on with it.

We have a baby jogger city mini pushchair - I got it because we do run with him, but it is super easy to fold one-handed while carrying DS in my other arm, and light enough to carry up the stairs easily.

Whatever pushchair you get, look for one-handed fold, compact folded size and light weight. Fold it up at the bottom of the stairs and carry your baby up - it’s much safer. If DS is wriggly or I have a lot of bags I take him inside and park him somewhere safe, and make a second trip for the buggy.

Get a travel cot to use as a playpen while baby is tiny so you can make a second trip downstairs if you have to.

Thanks everyone ..feel better now

Plus who needs the gym going up and down those stairs ;-)

What is the contract re children?
I remember back when renting that most contracts contained the "no children" clause. And while it was explained as "this is a standard text, don't worry", there was still the issue that one day, when the landlord wants to increase the rent, sell the apartment/house or simply get rid of the people they could use it against the tenants.