Practical examples of making 1 bed flat work with newborn

[Belle1983]

Just as the title says really.
I'm currently renting a 1 bed flat in London.
Moving to a larger place is not an option right now. Although partner and I are saving, our work situation means the most financially sensible option is to stay put until I go back to work after mat leave and we establish our new financial situation (childcare etc to consider).

Can anyone share any practical tips on how you have managed for the first couple of years with 2 people and a baby in a 1 bed?

I guess essentials only, no extras, but all tips welcome!

Thanks.

Did baby led weaning which meant we didn’t need any weaning stuff - no need for any baby plates, spoons etc - as you just pop everything straight onto the high chair tray

We also didn’t so nappy bin as we had limited space. Just put everything into main bins and straight outside in daytime

DS was born in a one bedroom flat and we moved to a bigger place on his first birthday. Our 1 bedroom flat wasn't baby friendly so it depends on the layout of your flat and size. My brother lives in a one bedroom flat with a newborn but his flat has more space than mine did, no stairs and the kitchen and living room is separate. My kitchen and living room was together (4m x3m) and was too small when DS started to take his first steps. The windows were rubbish and low so we couldn't open it during the lockdown heat back in April as DS would lean against it. So it really depends on size, layout and how much space you have.

Have a walk around in Ikea or send you dp in and take pictures of their small bedroom range. Measure your room and see if it possible to rearrange furniture to make use of the space you have.
So far my three month old only needs a cot and clothes in the bedroom. His cot has an under drawer storage and he could have technically shared wardrobe space with me. He has a baby rocker that he is almost to big for. The buggy is in the car. The trouble comes when baby starts crawling and climbing things. Then the less things in the living room the better.

We don’t live in a one bedroom flat but we have a cot which wasn’t used by either child. DD1 was in our bed until nearly 2 and DD2 has just turned one and shows not signs of being ready to move out. Maybe have somewhere in the living room, maybe sofa for one parent (not with baby) to nap/sleep if needed. Changing mat on floor, after my complicated section I couldn’t bend down so I put the changing mat on the dining table. Coffee table are a nightmare when they start crawling so if you are able to move it out later then do. Don’t bother with a jumperoo or a big push Walker thing thing they aren’t needed. Formula feeding comes with so much other crap which needs to be stored so try breast feeding, find the details of a private lactation consultant before baby comes incase it’s needed. No nappy bin, baby wardrobe - I think they are a bit pointless.

Definitely declutter your own stuff. This is come as standard info in the preparing for baby for everyone.

Definitely recommend cot bed as it grows with child and you don't have to keep wastig money on new ones. Moses basket to start with can sit in the cot to save space

I don't think it will be too bad with a young baby if you're organised but it's hard when they're older and the toys seriously mount up. Look for a buggy that fold up small to make storing it easy. We had a bouncer that folded down so could be easily hidden behind a chair. Storage units and boxes for everything. I cleared out loads of stuff before baby arrived.

I'd try and speak to close friends and family about only needing small gifts or being really specific with requests otherwise you could end up with a load of huge stuff you don't want.

Bed share - no need for a cot at all.
No need for a changing table, a roll up mat will do.
We had baby's clothes in a chest of drawers in the living room.

Baby changing area not in your bedroom, means whoever is sleeping can carry on whilst baby is being changed/ dressed by the other. You also don’t want a poo smelling bedroom! - chest of drawers unit with mat on top is ideal as lots of storage for all baby clothes, nappies, toys etc all in one space.

Buy stuff as you need it. Chicco next2me or equivalent for the first 6 months. Changing mat under the sofa that you can pull out as needed. Playmat/ bouncy chair. They don’t need much more in the first few months :)

We live in a one bed flat. I use a changing mat on the floor then a wicker basket, with nappies, wipes cream, sleepsuits, vest.
If you can, use under the bed for storage,I have a wooden drawer that pull out with the baby clothes in, it's still organised and folded up.
I agree with not getting anything until they are at that stage, so high chaiidn't get until 6 months, toy box when he was a 1 year old.
I regularly go though his clothes, toys every couple of weeks and put it in the loft as we have one or give away.
I do ask family for Christmas and Birthday for small toys or practical gifts. I politely ask for no big plastic toys and has a result we have been given lovely wooden toys, some smaller plastic toys, clothes, dinner sets, books, puzzles, cars. This is mainly from family and close friends.
I used a next to me crib for the first 7 months then a cot bed.i only used a bouncy chair, a play mat then was gifted a swing which we swapped for the chair so.we didn't have a lot of big stuff at once

We lived in a one bed flat in London until baby was 3 months, it was great! We then lived in 2 other small places. PPs have covered most things. My thoughts are:

• vacuum storage bags for clothes the next size up and also for outgrown clothes (if you’re saving them for possible future babies)
• big storage basket for toys etc. Ours was a fabric one from tk maxx. Bung all the toys in it at the end of the day
• playmat and bouncy chair are well worth the space they take up imo
• clear some drawers for baby clothes
• over the door hanging storage is good. And removable which we found helpful when renting
• loved the high chair from mamas and papas that attaches to dining chair (obviously you don’t need that yet though)
• like a pp I wish I’d used a sling instead of the lie flat pram. Dd hated it and so does my second child, so this time I got a second hand stretchy sling on eBay for £10 and it is amazing, DS loves it, it’s the best £10 I’ve spent as is gives me use of my hands!
• make sure you are utilising storage not just for baby stuff but all your stuff... under furniture, maybe dividers for inside furniture, was space, high up, hanging storage, hooks, make sure any cupboards are maximising use of space

Do you have outside space / a tumble drier? To be honest this was our biggest challenge... we had neither for those first three months and I was shocked at the amount of washing a tiny person generates! We had to do all our drying inside on an airer/ clothes horse thing and I wish I’d have given more thought to the best place to have that as it ended up being permanently in use!

Good luck op it’ll be great

That’s a good point where will u dry the constant washing? A pulley is best but presumably u won’t be allowed to fit one. See if u can get a clothes horse that fits in your bath.

THANK YOU to everyone for the amazingly helpful posts over the last day or so.
Apologies for not responding individually, but I have read all comments and I'm sure I will be going back to them as I prepare.

It's quite reassuring to see that I don't really need huge amounts of things to start with.
The biggest challenge will be getting DP to declutter. I've been fairly ruthless when I moved in.

Thanks again everyone

Space saver cot or next to me crib would work well In your room.

Babybjorn bouncer. Expensive but look second hand on market place. Doesn’t take up loads of room and folds flat so can be shoved under sofa when not using. Also high adjustable if they fall asleep

Invest in a high quality decent sling. Look to see if your local sling library is hiring. If not I highly recommend the Tula free to grow sling. Can be used from newborn. Don’t need a pram then.