Tips needed on how to survive a 1 bed flat with toddler and new baby!

[Niddlynono]

So here's the scenario...
I'm married with 1 DS (3 yrs) and expecting a baby in June. We currently live in a 1 bed flat. DH works 17 hour days and usually comes home around 4am so in some respects I feel like a single mum sometimes. DS has a bed in the lounge but usually sleeps with us so that I (or we when DH has a day off) can use the lounge in the evenings.
I just wondered how other families cope in a similar situation, and what works best for them. What sleeping arrangements work etc.
Any advice would be much appreciated.

Blimey, sounds really tough. I think you are pretty heroic coping. I doubt I would do as well as you sound as if you are doing. I suppose there is no chance of maybe selling up and getting a two bed part ownership or anything? You must both get pretty tired I should think.

Commiserations- I found twins in a 1 bed very hard work. Partial solution was me and partner moving into the living room so we could spend the evenings there before making up the bed and going to sleep. V irritating having to make up/put away bed though and not sure that this would work with a baby in any case unless s/he can sleep through the evening bustle. What are you doing about moving? I would start the offensive now- put yourself on transfer and start nagging council/housing association if you're in the public sector or get the flat on the market if you own it.

Thanks for the quick responses. The reality of having another baby has just started to sink in!

We own our flat and were hoping to be able to buy a house before 3 became 4 but due to unforeseen circumstances (with work) we can't afford to move yet. I know it's going to be tough but I will cope. I'm lucky to have a loving husband (even if he's not around to help much) and a very easy-going little boy. It's certainly going to be an interesting few months after the baby arrives! Eeek!

a friend of ours had a one bed flat but they moved just before their second child..I think she'd found it very hard having just one bedroom - good luck!

As a temporary solution could you rent a 2/3 bedroomed and rent yours out?

My sister had this and they were in the lounge on a sofa bed. They made sure they got a really good one with storage for the duvet etc. Agree it is a pain but then they could watch telly in bed and her LO had their bedroom as a playroom too so less toys in the lounge.

How is your flat laid out? We have an 8 month old in a 1 bed flat which is fine so far, but may still be living here if and when a 2nd child comes. Maybe you could use room dividers to create a little 'room' for your ds in the lounge, with his bed and a cosy corner. Ikea have nice bed canopies etc. that could also come in useful here.

We are currently temporarily in a one bed flat, and as others have said, the kids have the bedroom. We are on a good sofa bed in the living room, and being 10 weeks pg, I am loving being able to go to bed about 8.30pm and watch TV till I drop off (about 9pm LOL!).

Don't know quite how viable it would be long term. Plus, we don't have the vast majority of our belongings with us. If I were sharing a room with all the gaudy plastic toys I would probably go barmy.