https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 01 May 2026 18:32:21 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-apartment-living-with-a-new-baby#post-623102 Thu, 07 Mar 2013 22:33:20 +0000 googly-eyes 623102@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Maybe a little random but... Don't worry about your neighbors when the baby cries. (I did, I was scared they'd complain to the landlord!) It will happen, they will get over it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-apartment-living-with-a-new-baby#post-623093 Thu, 07 Mar 2013 22:31:53 +0000 LittleFox 623093@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're in a 1-bedroom with a 2.5 month old, and I'd echo others in saying not to overdo it with stuff. A lot of the things we bought are in travel versions that are smaller and/or fold up to be put away. We also have a rock n play, but no swing or bouncer as others have said. Our stroller folds small enough/our bed is tall enough that it stores under the bed. If you can, make your things multitask and make use of otherwise wasted space. DS's changing pad fits on my dresser, for example, and he doesn't have a dresser of his own because he doesn't need a ton of clothes at this age. He basically lives in pajamas- which is fine with him because they're comfy and because he's a baby and they have no shame about lounging in jammies all day :) (or anything else). A white noise machine is also a good idea. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-apartment-living-with-a-new-baby#post-622049 Thu, 07 Mar 2013 19:37:58 +0000 apis 622049@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Having a washing machine and dryer in our apartment is a godsend.</p> <p>Otherwise, if we can get a portable or foldable version of something, we go for it. @scg00387's tip about stressing the lack of space is a good one. Like there's ever *enough* space in a city apartment... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-apartment-living-with-a-new-baby#post-621619 Thu, 07 Mar 2013 16:11:14 +0000 rachiecakes 621619@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@maybebaby: We used to do a "date night" and all of us would go. We'd do laundry and get dinner next door.<br /> Now DH goes alone during the day with DS. We go every two weeks.<br /> You could also drop it off at a Wash/Dry/Fold laundromat. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-apartment-living-with-a-new-baby#post-621241 Thu, 07 Mar 2013 14:53:34 +0000 maybebaby 621241@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@rachiecakes: This is from a while ago, but I wanted to ask if you take your LO to the laundromat or have your partner do it or something else (I know you also said you also send out sometimes). We have realized we just won't be able to make a unit work in our space, so I am starting to think ahead to May and how this will work out practically. Thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-apartment-living-with-a-new-baby#post-447127 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 11:57:03 +0000 SleepyMonkey 447127@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>best tip i got was that the apartment will be cluttered and messy for a long time and to just learn to accept it. that was hard for me because i like things to be neat, but once i had that expectation set, i was fine! also we did a massive spring cleaning type thing before LO came to get rid of crap that we have been holding onto for no reason other than laziness. we also installed shelving/drawers in our closets and it freed up a lot of storage space! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-apartment-living-with-a-new-baby#post-446995 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 11:09:07 +0000 Bao 446995@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We live in a two bedroom apartment with our 3.5 month old, we have survived so far ;) As far as laundry, I do it when I can or take it to my parents. We have laundry in our building but not in our unit. We have a stroller that stands up right for easy storage, however, we just keep it in the car...so much easier than lugging it up and down the stairs! Baby stuff takes up a lot of space in an apartment so I suggest stacking totes to store all of the clothes baby outgrows, and things like that. Baby stuff will be everywhere, just try and stay as organized as you can, but don't fret if its all over ;) Baby will grow up just fine, a roof over their head, food and love is all they need! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-apartment-living-with-a-new-baby#post-446982 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 11:04:30 +0000 immabeetoo 446982@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're in a two bedroom with our two week old until we move Saturday. My best advice would be to triple think every purchase and stress your lack of space to any gift givers. I definitely wish I'd waited to buy some cute toddler gifts until he was way older! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-apartment-living-with-a-new-baby#post-446949 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 10:53:23 +0000 Mrs. Bee 446949@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Get a stroller that stands when it's folded so it's easier to store. Or a stroller that folds easily and get an over the door hook to hang your stroller when not in use.</p> <p>Buy sell used as much as you can!</p> <p>Get a laundry delivery service... It's not much more than you would pay doing it yourself and it saves hours of time. The cheaper ones in our neighborhood are 75 cents per pound.</p> <p>Get a white noise machine - you can hear everything in a small apt. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-apartment-living-with-a-new-baby#post-446921 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 10:39:20 +0000 Mrsbells 446921@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>we are in an apartment now. In a one bedroom actually. It works great for the newborn stage to have her crib in our room. Our apartment is very spacious and we dont have a dining table in the dining room so we had a lot of space for gear. We will be moving soon to a bigger apartment though since she needs her own room now that she is almost 8 months </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-apartment-living-with-a-new-baby#post-446913 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 10:36:37 +0000 Foodnerd81 446913@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We will be in the same situation in having a baby in an apartment. I guess we are lucky, in a way, in that we are moving specifically to have more room for the baby so I'm specifically thinking of things that will make it easier or harder-- like, I'm looking for a low floor or elevator, and if there are stairs there has to be somewhere to leave the stroller safely until DH gets home. I'm still debating on how essential laundry in unit vs in building is. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-apartment-living-with-a-new-baby#post-446856 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 10:09:34 +0000 plaidpants 446856@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We definitely had to think about what we brought into the house. We were in a 900 sq. foot condo (3rd floor!) when we brought LO home. Things that folded up and folded flat were important. We found a great high chair and bath tub. Another issue was where to keep the stroller, since we were sharing common space with other neighbors.</p> <p>Don't be afraid to buy something big if it will be a lifesaver. We decided not to get a swing, but when LO was a few weeks old and wouldn't sleep without being rocked, we caved and bought one. It took up a TON of precious space and she only used it for 5 months but I would buy it again in a heartbeat. So worth it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-apartment-living-with-a-new-baby#post-446820 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 09:53:03 +0000 Modern Daisy 446820@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm in an 800 sq ft 2 bed/1 bath apartment so I totally think about this. Our future baby's room is 9X9 and will also serve as a guest room and office. Whatever crib we buy will have to be portable and fit in our bedroom for when we have guests spend the night. There is currently a murphy bed in the room which helps and instead of a changing table we have a small desk with a ton of storage. We'll have to limit the amount of 'stuff' we accumulate - I'll have to pick just one stroller that will last for years and toys will either have to fit into existing storage baskets or not be purchased. </p> <p>We are lucky with laundry - there is a facility in our building and if we want we can install a unit in our kitchen. But for now I actually prefer not having it in our apartment since I can do it all at once and I'm much more efficient. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-apartment-living-with-a-new-baby#post-446684 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 08:06:17 +0000 honeybear 446684@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We live in a 2BR now, but we were in a 1BR in the newborn phase. We had less baby stuff than many of our friends--no swing, bouncer, exersaucer. We also had the large-sized cosleeper from Arm's Length instead of a crib. I had a sling and LO sometimes napped in it while I did other things. My rule of thumb was that if something had a lifespan of less than 1 year, it didn't come into our home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-apartment-living-with-a-new-baby#post-446657 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 07:40:24 +0000 T.H.O.U. 446657@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sounds like you have a great little home! </p> <p>Babies are babies and they can live anywhere. But they do require stuff. I think there have been several blog posts about trying to limit the baby gear for small spaces. For example, instead of getting a swing, bouncy seat, and a rock and play maybe just get one of those. </p> <p>For laundry, you may just want to get some good stain remover and some buckets that you could soak dirty clothes in until they can go to the laundry mat. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-apartment-living-with-a-new-baby#post-446624 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 06:47:41 +0000 rachiecakes 446624@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We love where we live but are in the same situation - no laundry. Our townhouse doesn't allow us to install washer/dryer units so we send our laundry out or use a laundromat. The other challenge is baby proofing and storing large baby gear (the jogging stroller is ridiculous). But all that said, I love living in the city, we have a Target two doors down, there's a park with a playground, water park and jogging track directly across the street, I can come home and have lunch with DS during the work week. These things outweigh the space &amp; laundry issues :) at least for now! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-apartment-living-with-a-new-baby#post-446619 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 06:39:12 +0000 maybebaby 446619@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is another kind of random question, but I have a presentation due for grad school in 2 1/2 hours so I needed to procrastinate somehow :)</p> <p>If you live/lived in an apartment with a newborn, what tips do you have? We love our 2 BR apartment, have a nice little yard and live in a great neighborhood with plenty to do in walking distance including grocery shopping. We also have a car. Major downside is we have no in building laundry, so we are working on looking into portable units we can have in our place.</p> <p>So apartment-dwelling parents, any tips for new babies in apartments? Or is this a crazy question and new babies are new babies regardless of where they live? :) </p>