Do I need a baby bath, and other space saving tips

[Moancup]

I’m due in August and I think it’s unlikely we’ll have managed to sell and move out of our one bedroom flat by then. DP is very anxious about this but I’m trying to be practical and think of ways to make a baby in a one bed work.

What so-called essential kit can we avoid for the first six months? Is bathing in the basin ok? Does everyone find you need a changing table? Does some kind of baby bouncer or chair make life easier? When do they start needing a high chair?

You don't need a baby bath or changing table. Bouncy chair is very useful, my babies loved theirs. You won't need a high chair until baby is wearing (around 6 months) and tbh could manage without by using the bouncer instead. Unless you're planning to do baby led weaning in which case that won't work.

You can bath them in a sink to start with, so no you don’t need a baby bath. Don’t need a high chair until 6 months. Bouncer or baby swing, some of them can’t be used on a newborn so depends what type you are looking at, but not essential straight away, you don’t need a changing table, just a mat. It’s handy to have a caddy with nappies, creams bags etc to hand, that wouldn’t take up much space. They really don’t need too much when they are small.

I had one of these for the bath and found it really useful www.boots.com/boots-baby-support-sponge-10275362?cm_mmc=bmm-buk-google-ppc--LIAs--Baby-_-UK_Smart_Shopping_LIAs_Baby&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIvOnG5J389AIViJ7tCh1L0A0SEAQYASABEgLjR_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

You don't need a baby bath, you can bath in the regular bath or sink. When a little bigger you can get an inflatable one (the munchkin duck bath is adorable) or a little seat for your bath.
A bouncy seat, or swing that folds away is useful.

I wouldn't recommend feeding in a bouncy chair as it's a bad position for swallowing. But you can get doling high hairs when the time comes- no need to have one before 6 months.

A small set of drawers for clothes, or just use your wardrobe rather than a separate one for baby. They don't need a lot of toys when tiny so a playmat (again can be folded away) and a handful of sensory toys- foil blankets are great! One can be cut up and used for months.

I never bothered with Moses baskets, we had a next2me in the bedroom, a swing downstairs and a poddlepod but they both generally napped on me or in a sling. You can also use the bassinet of a pram for naps.

Newborns really don't need much at all, most of the 'essentials' are just marketing.

Just a changing mat on the floor/bed/top of a chest of drawers works fine for me. I've just used a cheap one from the supermarket both times.

I like the shnuggle bath which is pretty small overall. The only sink my two fit in would be the kitchen one and I'm not sure about cleaning bums in the kitchen sink 😆

Bouncy chair was ok for my two but we had one that went nearly flat so could just be stored away when not using it. I'd go second hand if possible. High chair from 5/6 months - again you can get folding ones.

Baby can be bathed in the kitchen sink to start with. Or a bucket or a washing up bowl. But.....baby baths cost a couple of quid.....most people give them away so not a big deal to have one for a month while you get used to baby....(If you have a table to sit it on). Then just use normal bath.

Yes a bouncy chair.....if you get the basic ones they fold flat to go behind or under the sofa when not needed.

No to high chair for now.

No to changing table if you can stick a changing mat on the kitchen table. (If you end up having a section standing to change baby might be more comfortable. If you don't the changing mat on the floor works well).

You don't even need a special changing bag for when you go out. I just bought a messenger style bag from a cheap shoe shop with a men's wash bag inside to keep clean nappies in.

I used the bathroom sink, then kitchen sink before they graduated to the regular bath. I found a bouncy chair useful, and just used a regular changing mat.

Hi op I just had a baby in the same position as you.

• we bought a plastic changing mat which is stored under the coffee table. At nights we change on the bed as tired and comfy for baby, easier to settle after (we put a blanket down for this). You really do not need a changing table, think so you want to have to stand Everytime a nappy needs changed and having to go into a different room each time to do it.
• wash in basin is practical and easier when young.
• we made room in our own wardrobe for the baby's items and it's worked well we just didn't overbuy clothes and only what was needed.
• we got a bouncer hit baby is too young for it and it does not look comfy for their neck. I would say you would be better investing in a play mat as they can lie in that during the day when awake beside you and grows with this (also easily sorted away).
• no high chair needed until weaning but we will buy one of the chairs that actually click onto your own kitchen table chair lo saves space again.

Chnaging mat on bed will fine. They don't need a high chair for ages, 5.5 months or so, wait for that. And then get the Ike one that is light and small and can be shoved out of the way, not one of the massive contraptions that other manufacturers do. Baby bath is optional and can be skipped, but quite good at first or if you have a bad back. If you have a bath, it can sit over the bath and live there. If you only have a shower I wouldn't bother. That reminds me, after a few weeks DP used to just take them in the shower with him! Probably not in the baby books but worked for us (obviously carefully with me standing by to receive with a towel).

A travel changing mat which folds. I don't see the point in those massive ones that take up space. You can put the folding ones in the washing machine too!

Whatever highchair you get, make sure the legs don't get in the way. They take up so much floor space. Or see if you can get one that tucks under your dining table. You can get clip on ones.

Don't bother with a baby bath or baby towels.

If you wear the baby in a sling you might not need a snowsuit - you could just wear a big coat yourself and have it around the both of you!

IKEA do a baby mobile thay you can put anywhere (over the changing mat, on a blanket) so avoid one of those huge play mats.

We bought all the unnecessary gimmicks first time round but they are just a hassle to clean and move around in a small home!

You can get travel high chairs that screw onto the table and take up zero space. Agree with pps re: changing table and baby bath.

Second time round (with twins) I realised how much I'd bought that wasn't necessary! I didn't use a baby bath, a monitor, a changing table, any big toys/walkers, a changing bag and didn't miss them.

I had 2 babies in a 1 bed. With ds2 we were preparing to sell (plus had an older child) so space was at an absolute premium. I had:

Stacking Ikea boxes with lids for baby stuff (clothes, nappies, bedding, toys

Travel cot with proper mattress so it could be folded away for viewings

Just a changing mat which fitted under the sofa when not being used.

I did have a baby bath as we had one from ds1 which we kept toys in, but hardly used it as used main bath mostly.

It really was fine.

We didn’t have a high chair for ages with my first in a very tiny home, I got a second hand mamas and papas bumbo type thing with a tray that was dragged around everywhere.

We had a Stokke flexibath and a Stokke chair with newborn set instead of a bouncer. Worked wonderfully well!

I used a tummy tub baby bath - its more like a bucket so takes up less space but more often than not, I bathed DDs in the sink or in the bath with me.

A bouncer chair is useful so you have somewhere safe to put the baby down and when they are a little more alert, they can see you so hopefully will be happy for a short time.

You don't need a changing table. I changed them in the living room floor (unless I had guests!) and I slid the change mat under the couch when I wasn't using it.

As others have said, you won't need a high chair for a while. You could look at the snug style with a tray (I liked the mamas and papas one) which can be used for feeding the baby.

We were in a small flat until ds was 5.

Bathed in the sink or with us.

Changing mat worked fine.

We had a cubed type high chair which converted to a small chair and table when he was older. We didn't have a big table so he sat at the coffee table. Needs must

We had a basic chair thing as it good to pop them in when you shower.

This is great, and very reassuring.

We’d been thinking of getting rid of the dining table so make space for a foldaway single bed for DP, but it sounds like I should definitely wait to see if a C-section or back problems change things.

Christ knows how we’ll handle viewings if we’re still at that stage when the baby comes.

Never had a baby bath....had a sponge kinda raised sided mat they lay on and I supported head in shallow water

Another tip, use the bassinet of your buggy instead of getting a Moses basket. We just kept the buggy in the sitting room and put the baby in there when we needed to.

We had a baby in a 1 bed and stayed there for years. We were very happy there.

Didn't need/have: a changing table, baby bouncer, baby monitor, changing bag, travel system (live in the city so found I never used it), baby bath (used a bath support though).

I get really antsy when there is too much stuff around so i was keen to keep it to a minimum.
We went for this folding bath, it's a god send folds up in the cupboard.
www.johnlewis.com/stokke-flexi-bath-baby-bath-and-flexi-bath-newborn-support-bundle-white-grey/p5247605?sku=238980691&s_ppc=2dx92700058909649627&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gbraid=0AAAAAD2el1wn4zbGP-uR1cSJOv78ymcaG&gbraid=0AAAAAD2el1wn4zbGP-uR1cSJOv78ymcaG&gclid=Cj0KCQiA_JWOBhDRARIsANymNOa7XvQFKyx4i0bl2AGzdqgqE-Q9yPXOKmGNmcKgQsdLjOkoQ_E3bg8aAtmDEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

We didn't get a changing table just a mat that I can throw down the side of the couch. For upstairs we got the one that clips over the cot so doesn't take up any more space.
I would skip the next to me and just get a cot as my little guy is 6 months and almost too big. I never put the side down so the next to me was an expensive cot🙄

We have a bug house but bedshared, no Moses basket (used pram carry cot or bouncer downstairs), no baby bath, changing unit or baby furniture. Used a travel cot as a play pen/safe place to put baby once mobile (rolling at about 4 months).