Q for those BTDT families who live in an apt...

We currently live in a 1 br apt, and to get ready for baby, have had to buy/register for the smallest, fold-up tub, "travel" sized swing, "travel" sized bassinet (for now), etc, etc.

If anyone else is in this situation, what are some other space-saving tips you have to offer?

Thanks!

Re: Q for those BTDT families who live in an apt...

I generally keep the stroller in the car, and if I need it for outside, I carry DS down and put him in the stroller when I get outside.

I keep the pack and play folded up unless we are using it.

I have kept some items in their boxes until we need them - they take up less room that way.

Re: Q for those BTDT families who live in an apt...

Message edited 3/2/2008 2:03:09 PM.

Re: Q for those BTDT families who live in an apt...

Don't buy a changing table, not worth the loss of space.

Re: Q for those BTDT families who live in an apt...

Also don't buy a combo crib/dresser. Most places don't seem to sell them, though I noticed JC Penney still had some.

When DC gets older, he/she can climb onto the dresser portion. When I first saw them, I never thought of that and figured they were good space savers!

Re: Q for those BTDT families who live in an apt...

We live in an alcove studio, so this is something I've become very familiar with!

My advice is to think about how much use you'll get out of something before you purchase it. We never had a pack and play, bumbo or jumperoo and never missed it. We also limit the number of big toys she has. DD's not going to be developmentally behind because she doesn't have every toy out there. And having more toys won't keep her any more busy, she'll still be tugging at our pants legs and we'll happily oblige her in a game of hide and seek or whatever is the current fave.

Store or sell items when they aren't being used anymore. (We store since we plan on having more kids.) We sent the swing and exersaucer to storage at 9 months (after she started crawling and didn't want a part in either of them) and that opened up a lot of space. We send her old clothes and her baby toys to storage about every three months. You'd be surprised at how much piles up and I'm not a big clothes shopper!

We don't have small scale baby crib but we did buy the smallest standard frame with good ratings that we could find. We got a Jenny Lind style Delta Luv crib. It's simple and I love it. (see pic) It's doesn't have trim on it and it's high enough at the lowest setting to fit baskets underneath for storage.

I would get a dresser with a changing pad on top. We don't have a dresser but will swap the changing table for a dresser soon, since we recently stopped using the table to change her (she's 14 months).

We also had the fold up tub and it was very helpful. It didn't have a shower attachment or hammock but we survived.

Image Attachment(s):

Re: Q for those BTDT families who live in an apt...

don't go crazy on the clothes, storing them is a huge PITA.

I starting buying things, like toys, on craigs list. when I am tired of looking at it, I leave it outside and normally another family takes it.

If I had to do it again, I would skip high chair and just get one that straps onto a seat.

I had a fold up tub, but it leaked. then I got one of those blue basic tubs for cheap, used it, then had dh bring it to work to see if someone else could use it.

Re: Q for those BTDT families who live in an apt...

Re: Q for those BTDT families who live in an apt...

We didnt buy a changing table - we put the changing table mattress on her dresser. We spent $50 on a good size IKEA bookshelf and put all of her books, stuffed animals, etc. in it.

we bought a combination bouncy seat/swing made by Graco. She wasnt much of a fan of it - but a lot of babies love them and it didnt take up much space.

We bought a pack -n-play, but kept it folded up and stored in a closet until we needed it.

We kept a lot of things at my parent's house until we needed them (Britax car seat, etc.)

We got a good closet storage system and that really increased the amount of space we had to organize things.

Never bought certain things - didnt buy the standard nursery furniture because it was too big. Didnt buy a glider for the same reason - bought an antique upholstered rocker that was considerably smaller. Didnt buy that bumbo seat either.

Re: Q for those BTDT families who live in an apt...

bump

I need all the help I can get, I'm so overwhelmed right now- maybe b/c my due date is this month!

Re: Q for those BTDT families who live in an apt...

Where do you plan on putting the baby furniture? How many pieces will you have?

Things that you do not need for the first 5 months or so - Highchair - Exercauser - Jumperoo - Can you leave these items at a family members house until you use them? I own a house but I don't have use of my basement so I keep everything at my parents house when it's not being used.

Keep the stroller in your car.

Don't stress - everything will come together.

Re: Q for those BTDT families who live in an apt...

Re: Q for those BTDT families who live in an apt...

I think that's perfect. Do you have room for the swing and a bouncy? That's all you need for at least the first three months.

Re: Q for those BTDT families who live in an apt...

You can store A LOT of stuff under the crib (when you do get one) and I also go a dresser (changing pad on top) and nightstand on legs and store even more underneath those.

Re: Q for those BTDT families who live in an apt...

Honestly you don't need a full size swing and you will be good with the travel size. I agree with keeping the carriage in the car. Also, try to stay away from "big" items. I would skip the exersaucer and the jumparoo and just get a small walker (when the time comes). If you have regular dining chairs, which I don't so I couldn't do this, than I agree with just getting a booster seat.

Re: Q for those BTDT families who live in an apt...

It's all about organization and determining what items are needs and wants. First don't buy a huge stroller. They take alot of space I would suggest buying a lightweight stroller like a Maclaren or Peg Pliko P3 that folds up easy and you can throw it in the closet. Also I take all the value boxes of diapers and open them and store the diapers in the closet. I squeeze one package on one side the other package on the other side. I've also learned that we tend to overbuy. You don't need 300 onesies, 30 crib sheets, 100 outfits etc. At least for me I find my "favorite" things for DD and tend to use them over and over so alot of the other stuff never gets used. Also when the baby is born go through his or her stuff periodically getting rid of stuff that they have outgrown don't use etc. I'm also a fan of the stacking organizer bins. You can store extra baby lotion, pacifiers, stuff you don't need right away. A crib with drawers underneath is good idea to store linens shoes etc. Take it easy with the baby gear. Portable swing does the same thing as a full size one and you can store it behind the sofa when not in use. One bouncer and a jumperoo is enough. I use my high chair but honestly it's not something I would miss if it were gone....I would find other ways to feed DD. Don't open the boxes until you are going to use them and just store them under the bed. Trust me it's totally doable!

Message edited 3/2/2008 11:26:46 PM.

Re: Q for those BTDT families who live in an apt...