https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 04 Apr 2026 11:36:50 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/new-baby-in-one-bedroom-aptsmall-spaces#post-1855341 Tue, 09 Sep 2014 16:50:22 +0000 Kimberlybee 1855341@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am always fascinated with how people make use of small spaces which is what I see us doing one day. When you have time, tour this fun blog about small living spaces around the world. </p> <p><a href="http://www.tinyhousetalk.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.tinyhousetalk.com</a></p> <p>Some of my favorites are the micro apartments in NYC. </p> [attach=394/14/nbnlzy.600x435.image.jpg] [attach=394/14/nbnm00.600x436.image.jpg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/new-baby-in-one-bedroom-aptsmall-spaces#post-1855340 Tue, 09 Sep 2014 16:48:38 +0000 Ginabean3 1855340@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We lived in a 1 bedroom with LO until she was 5 months old. We had a little nursery set up for her in our dining room nook but she never used it...slept in our room! From 5-8 months old, we lived in a 2 bedroom but she still didn't have her own room (2nd bedroom was used as office/guest bedroom and her crib was still in the dining room). Finally we moved into our house at 8 months and she got her own room!</p> <p>What worked for us was the sleep sheep for white noise during sleeping times. We didn't get a lot of stuff for her and even now all she has in her room is a crib, dresser/changing table, and a rug. But she never spends any time in there! I feel like she is an amazing sleeper and napper due to not having her own space for such a long time because she has adapted to being able to sleep through anything! It's amazing!</p> <p>You can do it and your baby will be fine. They won't remember anyways. And it's nice not having a lot of clutter! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/new-baby-in-one-bedroom-aptsmall-spaces#post-1855261 Tue, 09 Sep 2014 15:52:00 +0000 tororojo 1855261@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We lived in a 1 bedroom, fairly open floorplan apt until DD was 8 months old. I'm glad we moved around then because she was getting so much more aware that it was hard to do naps- we had a little baby nook off the living room that we curtained off. I think your setup sounds just fine for the first 6-8 months or so, then you might want to go somewhere that she can have walls and a door for naps (AAAH...DD went from 30 minute naps to 2 hour ones once we moved!). Living in a small space also kept us from accumulating tons of unnecessary baby gear, which I think is great! Now #2 is on the way and we have the essentials as well as an uncluttered house with plenty of room. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/new-baby-in-one-bedroom-aptsmall-spaces#post-1855236 Tue, 09 Sep 2014 15:36:40 +0000 Mae 1855236@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just wanted to say that we have one of those nice big nurseries (yay midwest living lol) and LO is 4 months old andddddddd she is never in there. Like ever. She's spent probably a grand total of maybe 3 hours of her whole life in there, mostly in 10 minute chunks when I am switching out her wardrobe :) She is still in our room and will be for the foreseeable future-- and we don't have it cute-d up for baby at all. We have a pack n play with changing table and bassinet attachment, a basket with diapering supplies, and a small stack of bath stuff. Her clothes are in our living room under her changing table. Nurseries are cute but totally unnecessary for a good long time!</p> <p>ETA: we DO have a glider/ottoman and side table in our bedroom (moved from the nursery). And it is awesome. Highly recommended :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/new-baby-in-one-bedroom-aptsmall-spaces#post-1855232 Tue, 09 Sep 2014 15:33:35 +0000 UWSmama 1855232@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm new here (yay!) - but actually requested access so I could respond to this post. We bought our 1BR 3 years ago, and love the neighborhood + our building, and every time I think about moving, I want to cry...so needless to say, we're not moving any time soon.</p> <p>That said, we've been room sharing with our 11 month old, and we put up a wall of IKEA bookshelves to separate us from his space (which looks like a nursery!) and provide extra storage. It works beautifully, and we've even successfully sleep trained because he can't see us with the divider shelves. </p> <p>In thinking long term, we are actually considering getting this (<a href="http://resourcefurniture.com/product/ulisse-dining/#.VA9jfhb7E1I" rel="nofollow">http://resourcefurniture.com/product/ulisse-dining/#.VA9jfhb7E1I</a>) to place in our living room so we can sleep there, and give our bedroom to our son (and future second child down the line). </p> <p>It's completely doable -- and we're not doing it because we don't want to spend more to find a larger place. We literally love our apartment/bldg and neighborhood! I'm more than happy to share pictures of our layout or any other tips if you have questions :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/new-baby-in-one-bedroom-aptsmall-spaces#post-1827551 Thu, 21 Aug 2014 08:40:36 +0000 theotherstark 1827551@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@maddyz: Glad to hear I'm not the only one currently in this boat! :) Yes, a rocking chair/glider is on my must-have list! </p> <p>@Woolly Mammoth: I'm learning that things that fold flat are key! And I've heard great things about yoga balls, but I'm worried it will take up a bit too much space. Ha. The rocking chair we're looking at blends in with our living room furniture, so it won't look out of place, thankfully. </p> <p>@Mama Bird: Ha, I love the idea of using the playpen to keep the baby out :grin: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/new-baby-in-one-bedroom-aptsmall-spaces#post-1827344 Thu, 21 Aug 2014 07:50:50 +0000 Mama Bird 1827344@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We live in a studio and DS is already 21 months. We kept the baby furniture to a minimum - crib, tub that hangs on a wall, and a high chair. We have a giant hallway that is kind of like a room by itself, so that's where all the bulky stuff goes - stroller, car seat, box of diapers, outdoor clothes, and scooter. We have a lot of toys and they're everywhere, but most are totally unnecessary - I feel like a lot of kids prefer to play with grown-up things. </p> <p>Someone also gave DS a playpen that he didn't like, and we ended up using it as storage for all the things we don't want him to grab. If it can keep babies in, it can keep babies out! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/new-baby-in-one-bedroom-aptsmall-spaces#post-1827143 Thu, 21 Aug 2014 01:00:09 +0000 Woolly Mammoth 1827143@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our LO is almost a year old and we're still doing great in our one bedroom condo.</p> <p>We got a lot of baby stuff that folds flat: Baby Bjorn Babysitter Bouncer, Boon tub. We got the Tripp Trapp high chair (same footprint as a regular chair) and moved our fourth dining chair to the desk. Toys go in a bin in the corner. We have one larger toy at a time - first the baby gym, then the activity table, soon the small play kitchen. His books are on our bookshelf where he can reach them.</p> <p>We skipped swings, jumpers, exersaucers, etc., but have a travel crib set up as a play pen.</p> <p>As soon as something is outgrown or no longer needed, it gets packed up for storage or donated.</p> <p>ETA:<br /> I really wanted a rocker, but we didn't have room. I didn't miss it at all. We used a yoga ball in the newborn stage, then got rid of it. Our straight-backed dining chairs were just what I needed in the early days when nursing was rough. Now we nurse in bed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/new-baby-in-one-bedroom-aptsmall-spaces#post-1826173 Wed, 20 Aug 2014 17:02:22 +0000 maddyz 1826173@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was feeling the same way. Looking at our small one bedroom and wondering how to make space. I know we will be fine. But it's hard to know what to get. I think I've decided to hold of as much as possible and get things as I need them. I am going to wait on a crib.</p> <p>The one thing a really want is a small padded rocker or glider. I haven't found the right one yet. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/new-baby-in-one-bedroom-aptsmall-spaces#post-1826092 Wed, 20 Aug 2014 15:42:35 +0000 theotherstark 1826092@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrs.shinerbock: That is a great tip!! Thanks.</p> <p>@dolphin: @rattles: Yes, I'm a little worried about how the whole sleep thing will go. We'll see :) </p> <p>@LovelyPlum: Yes, I think the space issue is helping to curb my BUY ALL THE BABY THINGS desires :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/new-baby-in-one-bedroom-aptsmall-spaces#post-1826062 Wed, 20 Aug 2014 15:13:36 +0000 LovelyPlum 1826062@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Walling you pics! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/new-baby-in-one-bedroom-aptsmall-spaces#post-1826055 Wed, 20 Aug 2014 15:09:26 +0000 rattles 1826055@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@dolphin: I debated mentioning the sleep issue too! I think that was the biggest improvement when we finally moved to a two-bedroom. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that her baby is a better sleeper than ours :wink: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/new-baby-in-one-bedroom-aptsmall-spaces#post-1826053 Wed, 20 Aug 2014 15:07:21 +0000 LovelyPlum 1826053@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@spaniellove: thanks :)</p> <p>Yep, we do it and love it! My suggestions are to keep things simple, but don't confuse simple with boring! LO doesn't have a ton, but what we have is super useful. We love the Infantino play gym that collapses, the rockaroo, the Rock n Play, and our travel sleep sheep. We have a small basket for toys in front of her bookshelf and another basket in the living room for blankets. Her crib is in our room, as well as a bookshelf, rocker and dresser. We will soon swap out her swing for a Mamas and Pappas Snug Seat and a doorway bouncer. If I could buy one more piece of gear, it would have been the Baby Bjorn bouncer, because it folds flat. We don't have blackout curtains in our room, but we love the Sleep Sheep! We skipped the by bathtub. and changing table.</p> <p>If I'm honest, it is nice to not have tons of room for excess stuff. I've found we don't need a ton! The biggest organizational headache was actually bottles and my pump parts, but that was solved with a Boon grass drying rack and two baskets. And don't forget-just because LO doesn't have his/her own room doesn't mean you can't decorate :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/new-baby-in-one-bedroom-aptsmall-spaces#post-1826048 Wed, 20 Aug 2014 15:05:33 +0000 dolphin 1826048@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We lived in a one-bedroom until DD was 18 months. Her crib was at the foot of our bed and we put a changing pad on top of our dresser. I think the main issue for us wasn't space, but it's impossible to sleep train middle of the night wakings. I mean she SEES us right there. So we co-slept a lot which we didn't mind either. You can definitely make it work! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/new-baby-in-one-bedroom-aptsmall-spaces#post-1826002 Wed, 20 Aug 2014 14:40:59 +0000 mrs.shinerbock 1826002@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO lived in our room for the first 6 months and one of the best things we did was get a changing mat from Ikea that folds up small and use it with a diaper caddy for all her diaper stuff. We just lay it out on the bed and change her there, then it all goes back into the caddy and we don't use up a ton of horizontal space with a changing pad. It works great for us taking diaper stuff with us when we go to my parents for the weekend. I just grab the whole box and put it in the car. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/new-baby-in-one-bedroom-aptsmall-spaces#post-1825686 Wed, 20 Aug 2014 12:50:13 +0000 theotherstark 1825686@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@spaniellove: Awesome - thank you! I will definitely look into that rocking base. </p> <p>@rattles: This is so helpful! I never would have thought of hanging a tub on the back of the door. Looking into the Puj one now!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/new-baby-in-one-bedroom-aptsmall-spaces#post-1825659 Wed, 20 Aug 2014 12:37:40 +0000 theotherstark 1825659@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hotchildinthecity: Yes, I've poked around there a bit! Need to do some more searching :)</p> <p>@septca: Great ideas - thank you so much! I love the baskets under the coffee table idea. </p> <p>@gingerbebe: That looks great - such a cute little nook!! Love it. </p> <p>@MaisyMay: Good to know it worked! The mini cribs look fantastic. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/new-baby-in-one-bedroom-aptsmall-spaces#post-1825656 Wed, 20 Aug 2014 12:36:01 +0000 rattles 1825656@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We lived in a one bedroom until DD was 9 months. You can definitely make it work! We put a changing station on the hope chest at the foot of our bed and added a hanging organizer to my closet with drawers for her baby clothes. We used space bags under her crib for old/future sizes and underbed drawers for diaper/keepsake storage. We bought her a mini crib (the DaVinci Annabelle) to use in our room, and she's still using it now at 20 months. We kept baby gear to a minimum and bought some pretty storage baskets for toys in the living room. We bought a Puj tub and hung it on the back of the bathroom door when not in use. Let me know if you have any questions - it's totally doable and you're not alone! City/small space bees unite! :wink: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/new-baby-in-one-bedroom-aptsmall-spaces#post-1825637 Wed, 20 Aug 2014 12:29:51 +0000 MaisyMay 1825637@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We did a one bedroom for the first year and a half. It worked for us. We had a minicrib to save on space, and her changing table was where her clothes were stored. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/new-baby-in-one-bedroom-aptsmall-spaces#post-1825636 Wed, 20 Aug 2014 12:28:41 +0000 gingerbebe 1825636@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a 3-bedroom house and we're STILL not doing a nursery! The kid has a baby nook in our master bedroom and pretty much the only new piece of furniture we bought was a crib. (Also, cribs are huge! I sorta wish we got a mini-crib). We put a changing pad over my dresser, hung some blackout curtains, and all his clothes are going in a plastic Sterilite drawer thing inside my closet. Other than a Diaper Genie and some wall decorations and a rug, I'm keeping it low key. </p> [attach=1472/14/nam8jt.600x600.nook.jpg] [attach=1472/14/nam8jv.600x600.wall.jpg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/new-baby-in-one-bedroom-aptsmall-spaces#post-1825633 Wed, 20 Aug 2014 12:26:47 +0000 spaniellove 1825633@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@theotherstark: Awesome! If by any chance you end up with the JJ rocking base, you'll love it...we didn't need another bouncer while we were using it. LO rocked himself in his sleep and I was able to rock him to sleep too. And swaddle blankets work just fine as sheets for the bassinet as long as you tuck the ends underneath. The UB version ends up weird after you wash it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/new-baby-in-one-bedroom-aptsmall-spaces#post-1825609 Wed, 20 Aug 2014 12:16:25 +0000 septca 1825609@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A couple of things we have done to save space...<br /> * Slim baskets slid under LO's crib to store blankets, books, toys, etc.<br /> * Nice-looking fabric bins (from Target) under our coffee table (it's the type that has a low shelf under the table) to store LO's toys - our living room is her only real playspace.<br /> * Bath products that everyone can use to avoid having a ton of bottles in our small bathroom - we use Cetaphil gentle for face and Everyday Shea body wash for body and LO's hair.<br /> * We have one of those fabric shoe holders that hangs from the closet rod to form shoe cubes in the closet - we use it to hold LO's extra sheets, burb cloths, towels, wipes, jackets, etc.<br /> * We skipped a lot of "extras" like a separate snap and go stroller, bottle warmer, wipe warmer, swing, Rock and Play, etc. because we just don't have room. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/new-baby-in-one-bedroom-aptsmall-spaces#post-1825604 Wed, 20 Aug 2014 12:14:38 +0000 hotchildinthecity 1825604@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Apartment Therapy has tons of inspiration for this type of thing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/new-baby-in-one-bedroom-aptsmall-spaces#post-1825576 Wed, 20 Aug 2014 12:02:48 +0000 theotherstark 1825576@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@honeybear: This is really helpful - thank you so much!</p> <p>You guys are all making me feel less stressed about this :) Thanks for the responses! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/new-baby-in-one-bedroom-aptsmall-spaces#post-1825569 Wed, 20 Aug 2014 12:01:10 +0000 theotherstark 1825569@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamaof2: Yes, I think an over-the-door rack will be super helpful! I think there are also some that I've seen that will go over the edge of a crib, which will be great also.</p> <p>@rachiecakes: Yes, I've heard from some others the same thing about a changing table not being necessary! I think we're probably going to clear out some space in our dresser, and possibly just keep the changing pad on top of that. The crib we're looking at also has a drawer on the bottom, which is perfect!</p> <p>@Maysprout: I have heard of others who have done that, so thank you! It's good to know you kept them close even when you didn't have to :)</p> <p>@Bubbles: Yes, I'm a little worried about being quiet! And we're definitely trying to keep the amount of room things take up into consideration :) It's tough in an apartment, when you can't really customize the existing space (ie add built-ins, etc.)!</p> <p>@snowjewelz: That's what I keep telling myself! People do it all the time... </p> <p>@spaniellove: Yes, the UB Vista with bassinet! It was part of the reason why we went with that stroller. Great to hear that it worked well for you! </p> <p>@MUI831: Thank you, this is so helpful! And yes, it will certainly be nice not to have to run up/downstairs for things. </p> <p>@HolisticMama: Thank you for the link! And yes, definitely nice not to have to clean a full house :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/new-baby-in-one-bedroom-aptsmall-spaces#post-1825531 Wed, 20 Aug 2014 11:46:40 +0000 honeybear 1825531@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>People do this all the time. You'll be fine! :) </p> <p>We had LO in a 1BR for 6mos, but when we moved to a 2BR, nothing really changed. He liked being near us, we liked being near him, so the extra room effectively became an office. </p> <p>My main suggestion is to avoid the notion that babies need furniture. Unless you're hyper minimalists, you probably don't have space, so go with a smaller crib/co-sleeper/bassinet, forget about a changing table (the floor with a changing mat is safer anyhow), and don't bother with an extra dresser. My son is 3 and his clothes all fit easily in my (larger, but certainly not huge) closet, along with all my stuff. </p> <p>Save the cash you might otherwise spend on nursery stuff and stick it in an investment account for your child. They'll appreciate that more anyhow. ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/new-baby-in-one-bedroom-aptsmall-spaces#post-1825501 Wed, 20 Aug 2014 11:38:32 +0000 HolisticMama 1825501@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p><a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/shared-room-roundup-nurseries-in-the-master-bedroom-202262" rel="nofollow">http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/shared-room-roundup-nurseries-in-the-master-bedroom-202262</a></p> <p>:)</p> <p>Yay for not having to worry about cleaning a whole house after baby arrives! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/new-baby-in-one-bedroom-aptsmall-spaces#post-1825455 Wed, 20 Aug 2014 11:26:33 +0000 Mommy Finger 1825455@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We lived in a 1 bedroom for the first 7-8 months of DS's life. We had an open concept kitchen living room and kept the changing table in there along with a small armoir thing we bought from IKEA to keep all of his clothes. He slept in the RnP next to my side of the bed for awhile until we put him in the PnP. Once he started sleeping through the night better (one wake up) we moved him to this little hallway we had that held the laundry and one of the doors to the bathroom. We closed the hallway off with a blackout curtain, used a small fan, and had a white noise machine. We also only used the Inglesina fast chair as our high chair and kept it on our island/breakfast bar.</p> <p>It actually wasn't too bad. Once they start getting mobile, it's a little more difficult. :) But I liked that everything was more or less in one place. Therefore, if you forgot to bring something into the bedroom, you only have to walk a few steps rather than go downstairs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/new-baby-in-one-bedroom-aptsmall-spaces#post-1825442 Wed, 20 Aug 2014 11:21:45 +0000 spaniellove 1825442@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I know @lovelyplum has posted some great photos of a shared bedroom/nursery!</p> <p>Is the bassinet you're referring to by any chance an UB Vista? We used a Vista bassinet with a Jolly Jumper rocking base for at least 6 weeks. It was where he slept all day, and worked great although by the end there was definitely a dent in the mattress where his head was. I'd recommend getting a backup cover for the mattress, although we just used a large swaddle blanket when the cover was being washed. We also have a Nuna Sena (like a PNP but folds much faster) and the mini version might work for you longer term than a bassinet. That way you can fold it up when you need the space. </p> <p>You can definitely just change LO wherever, no changing table needed! We've been repurposing a console table and a cabinet in my office. </p> <p>We have a lot of space but the other day I was telling DH that we totally could have done this in our old 1 br/750 sq ft condo and it might have been a lot easier. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/new-baby-in-one-bedroom-aptsmall-spaces#post-1825431 Wed, 20 Aug 2014 11:18:37 +0000 snowjewelz 1825431@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>People do it all the time! I think having a smaller space is totally fine esp when they're not even mobile for a while. Even tho we have a room for her, she'll probably sleep in a pack &amp; play in our room for the first few weeks. </p>