What would be on your checklist?

[littlelisa]

Hi all

I'm new to this site - and also new to London - at 22 weeks pregnant with my first child!

My partner and I live in a tiny 1-bedroom apartment, which he bought as a bachelor flat before he bargained on the arrival of a partner, let alone a baby!! So we're going to be doing the first months (perhaps year) of parenting in a very small space. Does anyone have any tips about what we will/won't need? If you had to put together a checklist for a new mum of the essential stuff you need (with any tips for extras that you DON'T need) - what would be on it? We've started buying a few babygrows and T-shirts, and have a few blankets from the already-knitting grans...

Any advice welcome!
Cheers
Lisa

[pix4bu]

Hi lisa, welcome to mz, afraid i have no advice to give as I'm not a mommy yet; but huge congrats to you! You can find great advice in pg section.

My parents somehow managed having us all 5 of us in one room (just to encourage you that you can manage a baby, somehow in a small flat!).

Hope you don't mind me asking, but where did you live prior to London?

[pix4bu]

ooh just read profile :) am originally from new york so am also a fellow expat

[angelcake71]

well firstly welcome to mz hun....
we had 2 kids while we lived in a one bedroom flat......I can remember the puschair being in the living room.......high chair in the kitchen.......babies chest of drawers in the hallway!! a cot and a moses baslet in our bedroom!! we just had a changing mat.....not one of those changing units.......just stick to the ssential things that you need and dont over do it....lol

Transport system - ie pram/pusnhchair for taking baby out
moses basket or crib
car seat
baby bath
baby towels
vests
babygrows
a few cardigans/matinee jackets
nappies....
baby lotion
nappy rash cream
baby bubble bath
steriliser if bottle feeding
bottles/teats
formula milk
breast pads
bibs
cot sheets
cot blankets......
changing matress
changing bag......for out and about!

[littlelisa]

Thanks for the warm replies, all!

Actually, my partner and I have been reading a bit about co-sleeping (instead of having a cot) and baby-carrying. (I've been reading Deborah Jackson's "Three in A Bed" and Jean Liedloff's "Continuum Concept". Neither of us smoke, drink or do drugs, so sharing a bed with the baby doesn't seem risky from that point of view. Has anyone here had any experience with co-sleeping with a newborn?

Re baby-carrying - do you think a pushbuggy or pram is necessary at a small age? Could I not just carry the baby in a carrier/sling?

Cheers
Lisa

[Lynne4]

I would recommend the same list as angel! I think you will be able to manage more than you think in your flat. We have 5 kids and we used to live in a tiny 3 bed house. The two bedrooms for the kids were tiny and could only just fit a bed and a cot in but we managed. We had buggies in the hallway, toys everywhere but I think you always make do with what you've got. I would say a pram is necessary but you may be able to manage without, I'm not sure. I havn't had any experience with co-sleeping but I'm sure there will be someone on here to help!

Anyway congrats on your pregnancy and good luck for the remainder of it! :kisshands:

[angelcake71]

Thanks for the warm replies, all!

Actually, my partner and I have been reading a bit about co-sleeping (instead of having a cot) and baby-carrying. (I've been reading Deborah Jackson's "Three in A Bed" and Jean Liedloff's "Continuum Concept". Neither of us smoke, drink or do drugs, so sharing a bed with the baby doesn't seem risky from that point of view. Has anyone here had any experience with co-sleeping with a newborn?

Re baby-carrying - do you think a pushbuggy or pram is necessary at a small age? Could I not just carry the baby in a carrier/sling?

Cheers
Lisa

I did co sleep with some of mine when they were babies but not all the time.......mainly to help them (and me) sleep! bear in mind it is dangerous if you have long hair as well....

yes you could carry a baby in a sling.....I know mums that preder to do this.....

[saluki]

Hi all

I'm new to this site - and also new to London - at 22 weeks pregnant with my first child!

My partner and I live in a tiny 1-bedroom apartment, which he bought as a bachelor flat before he bargained on the arrival of a partner, let alone a baby!! So we're going to be doing the first months (perhaps year) of parenting in a very small space. Does anyone have any tips about what we will/won't need? If you had to put together a checklist for a new mum of the essential stuff you need (with any tips for extras that you DON'T need) - what would be on it? We've started buying a few babygrows and T-shirts, and have a few blankets from the already-knitting grans...

Any advice welcome!
Cheers
Lisa
Hi hun, I too live in London in a one bed flat lol, first time mum expecting twins!! Though we are moving to a 2 bed property beginning of feb. When we find one lol. I have just done my checklist, managed to find it in the pregnancy book the midwife gave me, you should have one too. hope this helps. x

[Debbie32]

Hello and welcome to mz

I co slept with James from when he had to come out of a moses basket as we didnt have enough room to have a cot, thankfully we have now moved but trying to get james to sleep alone is proving tricky..just something to be aware of

but at the end of the day you will be mummy and you will know what is best...enjoy being a mum it wont be to long now

[*debbie*]

Hi and :welcometomz::hitheresmiley:

[Laura@FYP]

Hi and Welcome! :D

Congrats on your pregnancy, Im jealous- I miss being pregnant! :laugh:

I co-sleep with my 7 month old and have done since she was born- we've had no problems whatsoever, it actually made life soooo much easier to just be able to roll over and feed her without even having to wake up properly! Bliss!

I wouldnt rush out to buy a pushchair or anything at the mo either, I think if you have a carrier/sling you will find you use that much more than you realise!

Best of luck :happy72: