https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 23 Apr 2026 21:16:39 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/big-city-bees-or-any-small-space-bees-please-help-me-adjust-my-expectations/page/2#post-750664 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 13:11:22 +0000 LindsayInNY 750664@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What about just outside where you are now but not quite suburbs? NJ Transit goes right into Port Authority quickly and that would give you parking too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/big-city-bees-or-any-small-space-bees-please-help-me-adjust-my-expectations/page/2#post-750480 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 12:14:44 +0000 mauri 750480@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I grew up in NYC and have lived in smallish apartment rentals my whole life, and turned out fine. :) I shared a one bedroom with my parents for the first 3 years of my life, then we moved to a two bedroom. When my younger sister was born, her and I shared the master bedroom, and I lived there until I moved out and got married.</p> <p>Now, my husband and I rent a 400 sq ft studio in Brooklyn, and are expecting our first any day now (due May 4!). I feel like we have plenty of space for the essentials here! We just learn to streamline our belongings and stick to baby essentials. It's totally doable! I'd be happy to share pics if you'd like.</p> <p>(It does help that we have a patio to store our uppababy vista stroller on, plus a courtyard/playroom/gym, etc in our building. And we're in a elevator building) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/big-city-bees-or-any-small-space-bees-please-help-me-adjust-my-expectations#post-750474 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 12:13:37 +0000 Anagram 750474@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Update: So I called DH and told him I would be able to manage in either space (we basically narrowed it down to the smallest place with the great price or the largest place that is a stretch) and he could go with what he thought was best.</p> <p>If we get either one, I'll update again later. After what we've been through, I'm not getting excited until we're done with attorney review/inspection/appraisal and have a closing date. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/big-city-bees-or-any-small-space-bees-please-help-me-adjust-my-expectations#post-750469 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 12:12:38 +0000 tysonja 750469@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: :D if you guys do end up in the smaller place, make sure to take some of that extra money and splurge on yourselves!! :) hehe... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/big-city-bees-or-any-small-space-bees-please-help-me-adjust-my-expectations#post-750464 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 12:11:40 +0000 Anagram 750464@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@tysonja: that makes me feel better! I know people do it and manage just fine. I just wanted some extra reassurance! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/big-city-bees-or-any-small-space-bees-please-help-me-adjust-my-expectations#post-750452 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 12:06:37 +0000 immabeetoo 750452@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also wanted to add my niece slept in a mini crib until she was close to 2 years old and went straight to a twin (and she was a big girl!). If you start them in the mini crib, that's all they know and they're fine in it! (We tried putting my 5 month old in it when he is used to a full size and he was. not. having. it haha!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/big-city-bees-or-any-small-space-bees-please-help-me-adjust-my-expectations#post-750443 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 12:04:22 +0000 littlebittyhouse 750443@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't read all the other comments but we live in an 850sq ft 2 bedrooom aparment with a 10month old. We just really edit what kind of 'stuff' we have. This weekend we did a huge purge because we realized we've been holding onto too much stuff and we know it doesn't work. We really try to make everything work at least double, if not triple duty in our house. It can be done! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/big-city-bees-or-any-small-space-bees-please-help-me-adjust-my-expectations#post-750390 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 11:45:47 +0000 tysonja 750390@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi! :) I sympathize with you wanting to get into a place to live and begin nesting :). We moved when I was about 7 months pregnant, too! </p> <p>I think we have a *few* things in common so i'll share our experience! We currently live in the suburbs but in a first floor 'basement' apt in our friends' house. It is about 850sq ft, and a GREAT layout. as many have said, it's ALL about layout.... there isn't any wasted space, so the bedrooms are fairly roomy. </p> <p>Dh and I have the smaller bedroom closer to the bathroom, and LO has the bigger bedroom that also houses our bookshelves and craft supplies. He has slept in his crib from day 1 and we had his crib in our room for about 5 months when he was first born. </p> <p>Both my parents were also here to stay with us for 1 month following his birth, and stayed in LO's room -- it worked great, but i also have really understanding and helpful parents, so we were never stepping on each other's toes, although it was a lot to have 4 adults and a baby in a small place! (we never got a r n' p, and he didn't use the pack n' play at home. </p> <p>We still live in the same place right now with LO at 11 months, and are expecting #2 in early September! We will have LO#2 in our room for a few months until he sttn, and then will move him in with his older brother. We are buying another full size crib (albeit not a huge one, but holds a full size mattress!). I personally wouldn't go with a mini crib -- LO looked so tiny in his crib at first, but by now at 11 months it's just perfect and he would've busted out of a mini crib (length wise) months ago. </p> <p>I hope you guys can find a great solution in the near future!!! :D </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/big-city-bees-or-any-small-space-bees-please-help-me-adjust-my-expectations#post-750376 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 11:40:05 +0000 LovelyPlum 750376@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not much help to you, but we also live in the city and will be in our 700 sq ft for at least another year, so hopefully with baby. I'm beginning to think layout is *the* key...that, and de-cluttering. With the right layout, I think any space can work. Good luck-and thanks for the advice, bees! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/big-city-bees-or-any-small-space-bees-please-help-me-adjust-my-expectations#post-750372 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 11:38:28 +0000 BKCaribBaby 750372@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You don't need as much as you think, Anagram. I'm in a 975 sq. ft apartment in Brooklyn, and we made sure to resist the Baby Industrial Complex. :) Bust seriously, there are lots of things that you CAN buy but may not necessarily need. My DH's friends, many of whom live in 2500 sq. ft. houses in the suburbs, kept telling him all of these things he needed but I don't think they were right. Right now our almost 5 week old sleeps either in a Rock N'Play, which I love because it's light can be moved and folded easily, or she sleeps in the bassinet of our Uppa Baby Vista stroller (there is a stand that you can buy). She's not in the crib yet. We were careful about picking and choosing things that we absolutely needed, and I'm surprised about how little I've felt like I've needed the first month.</p> <p>Also my DH went back after two weeks and between Fresh Direct, diapers.com, a few walks here and there and occasional take out, I've never felt in the lurch. We also don't have family close by. </p> <p>I second what others may have said about looking outside of certain parts of Manhattan for real estate possibilities. There are places where you can get more space for your money without a debilitating commute. </p> <p>I guess I'm saying you can do it. </p> <p>Good luck on the buying front. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/big-city-bees-or-any-small-space-bees-please-help-me-adjust-my-expectations#post-750332 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 11:17:45 +0000 Mrs. Superhero 750332@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would agree that it's all about the layout. Our house (2 bedrooms, maybe around 1000 sq ft) is small but has a basement, so we can keep it a lot less cluttered, which makes it feel nicer. A bad kitchen is hard to deal with, I think. Also, we have a yard, so that helps a ton.</p> <p>Small houses are much cheaper and easier to fix up really nice! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/big-city-bees-or-any-small-space-bees-please-help-me-adjust-my-expectations#post-750293 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 11:04:34 +0000 hilsy85 750293@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: I second Amazon Prime!! It has been amazing since being pregnant/having a baby. Also, if your LO does need an incline to sleep, they sell crib wedges you can put under a crib mattress that elevate one end--don't let yourself get caught up in thinking you need a million and one different items of baby gear! And if there is something you need that you don't have, I highly recommend looking for a local parenting listserve/mom's group. You can find a ton of stuff used, and it's also a good resource to sell stuff. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/big-city-bees-or-any-small-space-bees-please-help-me-adjust-my-expectations#post-750273 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 10:56:59 +0000 immabeetoo 750273@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If I can urge you to do anything, it is to try and expedite a decision! We bought a house when I was 36 weeks and moved when LO was 4 weeks. IT SUCKED!! Obviously some of the home buying process is out of your control but.. yeah. It was super stressful and exacerbated my PP recovery issues because I was moving around more and stressed out. I completely understand wanting to feel prepared and nest - like you, we have/had no family close by at the beginning and no baby-friendly friends.</p> <p>There is no way to know where your baby will sleep! Our LO did fine in a travel bassinet <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Summer-Infant-Sleeper-Portable-Bedding/dp/B005ASKQ42/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&#038;qid=1367250813&#038;sr=8-1&#038;keywords=summers+infant+bassinet" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/Summer-Infant-Sleeper-Portable-Bedding/dp/B005ASKQ42/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&#038;qid=1367250813&#038;sr=8-1&#038;keywords=summers+infant+bassinet</a> for the first 2 months because I didn't want to set the crib up and move it again. Then we put it in the crib, and then straight into the crib. Do you have Amazon Prime? It is amazing. If you feel like you need a rock n' play... two day shipping!</p> <p>In regards to space.. we started out with about 1200 square foot apartment (2 bedroom) and it was more than enough for us + baby. We're now in a 2600 sqft house (Midwest home prices, woot!) but honestly I appreciate that starting out small forced me to limit gear purchases. I do laundry all the time anyways - so if he has fewer clothes it's not a big deal.</p> <p>If I were you, I'd go with the smallest. Any of them is going to feel small to you from what you've said about how you grew up and moving from Texas- so you might as well stay small and save the extra $! There are soo many ways to store and organize vertically, under stuff, in stuff, that I'm sure you can make it work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/big-city-bees-or-any-small-space-bees-please-help-me-adjust-my-expectations#post-750254 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 10:49:52 +0000 Foodnerd81 750254@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: As far as the crib/mini crib debate-- my friend, who is in a junior one bedroom (their only bedroom only has a partial wall and no door) and theirs is the baby that outgrew the mini crib really early-- now she just sleeps in the Pack and Play next to the mom's side of the bed, and she is very big for a 10 month old. It seems to be working for them, and they just don't have the room for a full size crib yet (they are currently house hunting too). </p> <p>Of course my nesting instincts scream "But the baby NEEDS her own crib!!!" it's not really true :) And you need a pack and play anyway, where you don't need the mini crib, so you could just hold off on buying the crib until after his parents leave. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/big-city-bees-or-any-small-space-bees-please-help-me-adjust-my-expectations#post-750237 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 10:40:54 +0000 rattles 750237@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our LO is in the minority, but she didn't like the R&amp;P. I could have easily done without it. We stuck one of my old law textbooks under one end of her crib mattress to elevate it slightly at our ped's suggestion. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/big-city-bees-or-any-small-space-bees-please-help-me-adjust-my-expectations#post-750184 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 10:27:56 +0000 hummusgirl 750184@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: I second what everyone else has said but wanted to say I feel your pain! We moved to NYC from Dallas and while the housing costs are insane, I've found it to be really magical to have a baby in the city (well, Brooklyn). </p> <p>We're a block from Prospect Park which is beautiful and I went there with the baby almost every day of my maternity leave. I joined a mom group and now know people in the neighborhood. I love walking to get groceries and run errands. I spend a lot less time in the apartment than I ever did in Texas (though it can get claustrophobic when it's reeeally cold and I don't feel like going out). </p> <p>We're on the second story of a brownstone and we're allowed to leave the stroller in the foyer, so that hasn't been an issue at all. We rarely use the stroller anyway since we wear/carry him everywhere (he's 7 months). It's just easier to get out that way. </p> <p>Our place is about 800 sq ft and it's plenty for the three of us for now; our upstairs neighbors are in the same amount of space and just had a second, so it must be doable!</p> <p>LASTLY, we didn't have a RnP until LO was a few days old. He wasn't sleeping so we had my parents run to Buy Buy Baby and pick it up. No big deal! We lent it to our neighbors but if they're done with it by the time you have your LO, you're welcome to borrow! It's actually good for small spaces because it folds up. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/big-city-bees-or-any-small-space-bees-please-help-me-adjust-my-expectations#post-750154 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 10:18:57 +0000 honeybear 750154@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: All we had at the beginning was a place for baby to sleep (we went the cosleeper route), clothes/linens, feeding supplies (we had a couple bottles on hand even though I breastfed LO), diapers, a small baby bath, and a stroller/car seat. I also had a wrap sling that I loved.* There was only 1 thing that I decided I wanted shortly after birth that didn't buy in advance (and it was the only baby item I bought in the first 3 months or so): a My Brest Friend pillow. Amazon is awesome. </p> <p>*I went a little crazy and bought a stuffed animal in a fit of nesting, too. But only one. ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/big-city-bees-or-any-small-space-bees-please-help-me-adjust-my-expectations#post-750148 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 10:16:59 +0000 Mrs. Bee 750148@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>you can get next day, even same day free delivery from diapers.com so don't worry about being prepared. i would only get the absolute essentials before baby is born.</p> <p><a href="http://www.hellobee.com/2011/09/23/absolute-essentials-for-a-newborn/" rel="nofollow">http://www.hellobee.com/2011/09/23/absolute-essentials-for-a-newborn/</a></p> <p>as far as not liking the crib, but charlie and olive have slept in their cribs from day 1. you make it work! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/big-city-bees-or-any-small-space-bees-please-help-me-adjust-my-expectations#post-750123 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 10:05:28 +0000 Anagram 750123@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>and all: I've posted this on other threads, but DH's parents are also coming to stay with us for 1-2 months (yup...you read that right--months!) when I go back to work and will be in the second bedroom.</p> <p>So..it's temporary, but.....it's still 4 adults and a baby in 1 apartment. I like his parents a lot.....but I bet I would like them even more in a slightly larger space. haha. This is one of those times when a 4500 sq ft Mcmansion would come in handy.</p> <p>I think I could make it work in the smaller space. I'm just a little worried about it. Because being pregnant is making me a worrier, when normally I'm not. Yay pregnany hormones. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/big-city-bees-or-any-small-space-bees-please-help-me-adjust-my-expectations#post-750110 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 10:00:29 +0000 looch 750110@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: step away from the gear posts! I had the same issue (no family closeby, no shower) and I obsessed over gear to an abnormal degree. In the end it doesn't matter. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/big-city-bees-or-any-small-space-bees-please-help-me-adjust-my-expectations#post-750107 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 10:00:10 +0000 SAHM0811 750107@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: if you feel the need to buy new gear after the baby is born... Amazon Prime! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/big-city-bees-or-any-small-space-bees-please-help-me-adjust-my-expectations#post-750100 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 09:58:14 +0000 Anagram 750100@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: yeah, DH isn't sold on the mini crib idea either. I'm fine with getting one to save space, but he seems really set on getting a full size crib, even if that means our bed will be totally pushed against the wall (he's offered to be the one to have to climb over me or go to the foot of the bed to get up), because he thinks it's unnecessary to buy a mini crib and then a bigger crib later. UGH</p> <p>We're planning on having LO in our room for the first 5-6 months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/big-city-bees-or-any-small-space-bees-please-help-me-adjust-my-expectations#post-750099 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 09:58:04 +0000 oliviaoblivia 750099@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have about 900 sf with a baby, a dog, and two cats. It's not too bad. The layout is important, as is having furniture that does double duty. The stroller sits in our foyer and it bugs me, but it works for us for now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/big-city-bees-or-any-small-space-bees-please-help-me-adjust-my-expectations#post-750093 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 09:57:04 +0000 Mrsbells 750093@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: When our LO was born we lived in a one bedroom apartment that was about 890 sq ft. we lived there for a year with her and just recently moved into a bigger place which is about 1200 sq ft. All I can say is that it is very doable, as long as you keep things organized and only buy what you need to.</p> <p>We made it work with a crib, changer, dresser, swing, exersaucer, rock and play and a lot of other gear. we sacrificed our dining table to get more space </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/big-city-bees-or-any-small-space-bees-please-help-me-adjust-my-expectations#post-750090 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 09:55:51 +0000 Foodnerd81 750090@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: Well, again, baby's not here yet, but honestly the Rock N Play folds flat and can easily be slid behind a couch or under the bed or whatever, so personally, I'd rather have it than not. I'm afraid to go the mini crib route because I know a couple of people whose babies outgrew them within months, but I think their babies were just really large and active :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/big-city-bees-or-any-small-space-bees-please-help-me-adjust-my-expectations#post-750077 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 09:53:32 +0000 Foodnerd81 750077@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: That's solid reasoning on renting vs buying then! I will say, the stairs/elevator was a big concern of mine (you can see in some old posts!) but we ultimately went without the elevator and are 2 flights up. LO isn't here yet so I don't know if I'll regret it, but I was OK with it since we have parking and a space in the indoor garage to lock up the stroller-- I drew the line at having to carry the stroller up the stairs with baby. As far as parking, if you do the rental route, remember the garage half a block away could be a lot cheaper than the one in your building. Also, so many people in NYC make their 1 bed into 2 or 2 into 3 with temporary walls (buying or renting). I totally understand the need to start nesting though-- I was going crazy not knowing where we would live back in March, and I'm also due in July. It's really stressful! Good luck-- I hope you find something that works out quickly! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/big-city-bees-or-any-small-space-bees-please-help-me-adjust-my-expectations#post-750074 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 09:52:19 +0000 Anagram 750074@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Okay, so genuine question: I read in the blogs a lot how babies won't sleep in a crib at first (or bassinet, or anything where baby is sleeping on a flat surface), and that has scared me into thinking we really need a rock N Play (or something like it) for at first, so we have options about where LO sleeps. </p> <p>I guess we *could* wait until LO is here and see if she likes sleeping in a crib (or mini crib) before buying....but I also don't want to feel like I need to constantly run out to stores to buy stuff when I have a new infant, and am struggling with breastfeeding, etc.</p> <p>DH only gets 1 week of work for "paternity leave", so I'm going to be on my own pretty quickly. Also, I just have this obsessive need to feel "prepared", because I feel like it's going to add unneccessary stress to my life to need/want things when I'm home alone with an infant and can't go to the store and get it easily by myself. We don't have any close by family and we have very few friends, since we just moved here 7 months ago.</p> <p>Am I just freaking myself out over nothing? We're not having a shower or anything, but I keep reading the Blogs here (the awesome posts with "newborn essentials" and reading about other people's registries and thinking these are things I'm going to want when LO gets here.).</p> <p>Am I wrong? You can be honest with me! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/big-city-bees-or-any-small-space-bees-please-help-me-adjust-my-expectations#post-750045 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 09:44:32 +0000 SAHM0811 750045@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I lived in a 1,000 sf 1 bdrm as a first-time mom. For our first months as parents, all we had was a PNP with a bassinet in our room and a bouncer in our living room. We did have a "big" stroller because I needed to go grocery shopping with the baby, so I wanted the storage space and stability of a "big" stroller. But a lot of times I just got the groceries delivered anyway, even if I went to the store to pick them out in person. Love that NYC has so many conveniences like that. </p> <p>But anyway, in hindsight, you could actually make do with an umbrella stroller and an infant (Maclaren Techno XT is an example). The City Mini is not an umbrella, but size-wise would be a great in-between. Or also, a snap n go with infant seat. Best for taking cabs too. My girls were in infant seats til 9-10 months and by that time, an umbrella is just fine.</p> <p>When #2 came along, we were in 1000 sf again, but it was a "2 bdrm" (junior 4 with a wall put up). We had a playroom downstairs which was awesome for playdates and not having to have too many toys in our apt. Three parks were within 5 blocks, gym downstairs, bike and storage rooms were optional, and many walkable preschools to choose from. My eldest had her own room and the baby was in a bassinet in ours. As she got older, we got a mini crib. Then we moved cross-country when she was 10 months, and we could've totally gotten a bigger place... but we were/are still on the fence on our forever neighborhood... And it turns out, we said, you know what, let's live in the city again so DH has a shorter commute time.</p> <p>So now, we are STILL in 1,000 sf, but their room is bigger and they are older, so they both share the room and sleep in twin beds. My friends are amazed at our tiny kitchen and bathroom, but we are so used to it. We just make do and like that we can still walk to the park and grocery store. I was never the "I want a big house" type though. I'm only starting to get that mentality now, but for the first five years of being a parent? Nah... They don't really need a lot. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/big-city-bees-or-any-small-space-bees-please-help-me-adjust-my-expectations#post-750023 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 09:37:38 +0000 Anagram 750023@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@honeybear: @Trailmix: @Foodnerd81: @JoJoGirl: </p> <p>RE: the renting thing. I'm fine with renting, but DH is very against it at this point, mainly because the two things we have to have are 1) parking (for my job--he works in the city and takes public transport, but I work way out in the suburbs and have to drive) 2) elevator building (he just won't compromise on this one. He's afraid I'll inexplicably break my leg one day and won't be able to carry a baby and a stroller up and down flights of stairs. haha. My mom is the one that put that idea in his head. </p> <p>Those two requirements make renting a 2 bedroom super expensive, and about $500 more a month than buying would be (at the interest rates DH can get because he works for a financial institution that does mortgages and gets a discount on top of his already excellent credit rating). He's run all the numbers, and even with paying a realtor to sell it in 3 years, we'd come out spending less money on buying rather than renting. The 1000 sq ft. condo will be $200 a month less than what we are paying right now for a 1 bedroom. It will be about $700 lessa month than what we would pay to rent a 2 bedroom (with parking and elevator). Plus, with buying we get the tax deductions for property tax and interest.</p> <p>However, we both agreed that if none of the condos we're looking at right now pan out, we're going to give up and rent. I need a space to start nesting, and I'm getting worried the baby might come early and we won't even be in a new apartment yet. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/big-city-bees-or-any-small-space-bees-please-help-me-adjust-my-expectations#post-750016 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 09:35:53 +0000 bunnylove08 750016@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>we live in a one br (600 sq ft) in NYC (brooklyn to be exact). we share our room with DD and we only have the necessity for her. Crib, exersaucer, RnP, snap and go, uppa baby stroller, dresser with changing pad on top. DD is only 7 months old and does not need much. We make due with what we have because it is what it is. I feel having a small space makes you have less clutter. Yes its nice to have all the bells and whistles for a baby but they're going to out grow it in a blink of an eye. </p>