Minimalist baby gear - planning first 6 months in a small flat

[WolfMother326]

Hello,

I'm interested in hearing from mums who have lived in small spaces with their first baby. What are the minimal essentials that you got by with for the first 6 months?

We're planning to stay in a very compact 1 bed flat until the baby is between 2-6 months old, depending on factors to do with buying a bigger home with a spare room. We've been clearing out stuff we don't need and will also store some furniture and book cases to make room.

So far we are planning on getting:

• Bedside bassinet for first 6 months (will get a proper cot later)
• Small changing table with shelving and storage boxes for nappies/changing supplies and baby clothes (some room in my wardrobe also)
• Odor capturing container for nappies
• foldable soft mat for floor play/tummy time
• foldable baby bath
• foldable bassinet buggy (will have to live in tiny entry hall!)
• Sling that can hang in wardrobe

What other essential things would you get/skip?

Thanks!

Also please bear in mind that if you are keeping your carseat permanently in the car it needs to be restrained even if baby isn't in it. Either fixed with isofix or belted in. In an accident it would be dangerous to the passengers/drivers. Also, if in an accident, it will need replacing, even if just a small nudge.

Hey OP, I had the same plan for my baby but was absolutely inundated with dozens of well meaning but unwanted gifts from colleagues, friends and family. I really tried to explain how our home is small and I didn't need anything but still ended up with a house full of baby-related clutter. I hope you succeed in keeping things to a minimum!

If you bottle feed, Mam self sterilising bottles mean you don't need to buy a steriliser which takes up kitchen space (as long as you have a microwave)

Honestly you'll be fine with a Moses basket (or whatever little bed you want) sling, nappies, vests, babygros and a couple of blankets and sleeping bags.

Oh and the Doona is supposed to be an amazing space saving folding car seat/buggy thing.

Doona isn't suitable as a replacement for a buggy, it's not reclined enough. You can just get a 0-4 years car seat and leave it in the car :)

I would skip everything on that list except for the sling and possibly moses basket.

Definitely don't need a changing table or nappy bin.

If you have a regular bath then the baby can bath with you.

We used a sling for the first 6 months and only used a buggy when the baby was a bit older and could sit up. Most buggies suitable for newborns are pretty bulky, but if you wait a few months you can get something that folds up small like a Maclaren.

If you do decide to get a buggy when the baby is first born then you can use the bassinet part of that instead of a cot or moses basket. Or you (or your baby) could decide to co - sleep and do without either.

We lived in little more than a bed sit (technically there was a bedroom but it was very compact). I had a 3 in 1 pushchair with bassinet and used the bassinet to sleep in, put changing mat on top of our chest of drawers (all shared), inflatable baby bath, breast fed. We stayed there until she was a year

Nappies sat in the packet and the bin was in the bathroom

Oh and remember there's 24 hour supermarkets, don't stock up with advanced sizes etc, stick to sleep suits mostly. You can buy things when you actually need them.

Breastfeeding saves the biggest room of all (no bottles, steriliser, machine to make bottles, powder! though buy reusable breast pads, life savers)

Bouncy chair is really useful if you need the loo or make a cuppa

Clothes I'd get, vests and baby grows

Gro bags when they reach the required weight.

I'd probably get a nappy bin especially as you're in a flat, so much easier than using the communal bins after each nappy change

I’ve got the four drawer IKEA malm chest of drawers and had something made on top of it to contain a changing mat (a changing mat fits great on the top, the thing I’ve got is a wooden frame that sits on the top and acts as a lip). It’s a perfect height for changing nappies, and has loads of storage underneath.

We didn't bother with a changing table at all and we live in a house. Same for every other mum I know. Also a soft mat isn't really essential either imo as there are always just Muslins.

My biggest tip is to go through all the "essential" baby item lists and make an Amazon wishlist. If you find out you need someone, order it Prime.

Baby needs to sleep, eat and excrete. All the other equipment is really for you.

Our 14mo is still sleeping in a travel cot. We bought a proper mattress for it, not the piece of cardboard they include. It had a bassinet level and everything! Much physically smaller and can move it out the way during the day if desired.

Also, it's not suitable for newborns but once they're a bit older we love our Chicco Ohlala buggy. Folds small and easily, and literally the lightest buggy available to buy in this country (or was two years ago!) so perfect for carrying up and down stairs.

We love our bouncy chair but for when they're a bit older. Playmat with dangly whatnots was our go-to before that, although the world itself is trippy enough for a proper newborn!

3 dc and have never owned a changing table, bassinet or baby bath. None of those things are essential ime although I can see the need for baby to sleep in something so yeah keep the bassinet. Although my ex was the youngest of six and his mum told me he slept in a box the first few months of his life, and she bathed all hers in the sink 🤣Sling is essential and doesn't take up much room.

I would personally but the absolute minimum and see from there. Of course take into consideration what pps have said but what may be essential for one person (and baby) may not be for another . I was advised to get lots of muslins. Never used one. Had lots of clothes. Baby was in onesies all the time. Etc

We're in a tiny house with 2.

Moses basket is needed as you can move it around the flat with you whilst they sleep.
Snuggle baby bath is compact.
Baby jogger city mini can be used from birth without a bassinet and is not too expensive. Baby zen yoyo looks amazing but is pricey.
I disagree with @SmednotaSmoo about that malm. We have it and it's too high for me to use as a changing table.

We have installed a badabulle wallmounted changing table in our bathroom, so we can change dd by the basin. Our bathroom is too small to change her on the floor of the bathroom.