Tiny House Living with a Newborn

Have you ever jumped into something new—knowing in your gut it was the right move—even though it felt a little scary? That’s exactly how I felt when we decided to move into our tiny house with a two-week-old baby. We’d chosen the Hazel model from Aussie Tiny Houses because it seemed perfect for families, and because the builder was located conveniently close to our home. It has two rooms: one with a loft feel (low ceiling, think cozy reading nook), and another with a queen bed and enough standing height to move around comfortably. We also included stairs instead of a ladder—scrambling up a ladder with a newborn in my arms sounded like a broken bone waiting to happen.

And so, at just two weeks old, Tulsi (our sweet newborn) came home to our tiny haven on wheels. Here’s how we made it work, what we loved, and what we’d do differently if we had the chance.

Figuring Out the Sleeping Arrangements

The first big question that came up was, Where is the baby going to sleep? I’d known all along I wanted to co-sleep—having Tulsi right there with me at night felt natural. I briefly considered a sidecar bassinet, but it would’ve had to be custom-built to fit into our space. In the end, we stuck with bed-sharing, and honestly, I’m pretty sure we would’ve chosen that in a bigger house too.

We’ve designated the second room (the one with the loft) as “Tulsi’s room,” but he’s never actually slept in there. Instead, it’s the perfect spot to store all the baby gear—pumping supplies, cloth nappies, and teeny baby clothes. One day Tulsi might decide he wants his own space, and there’s already a bed in there waiting for him. Until then, the room is more of a play area and storage haven than a sleeping spot.

What we’d do differently:

If I were set on a sidecar crib, I’d probably reach out to a local carpenter for a custom fit. But since co-sleeping works best for us, I don’t have any regrets here.

Safety in Small Spaces

When you’re living tiny, the layout can work for you or against you, especially with a wriggly, exploring baby. We had my dad build safety guards for each room so that Tulsi could play freely without me worrying about him wandering near the stairs (or taking an unexpected tumble). You could definitely buy store-bought gates, but my dad loves a DIY challenge, and I love having something special he made just for us.

What we’d do differently:

In hindsight, I would’ve installed those safety guards as soon as we moved in—babies grow and get mobile way faster than you think.

The Deck: Expanding Our Horizons

One of the best features we added a bit later was a deck off the front door. Picture this: bifold doors open up, and instead of a straight drop-off, there’s a little extension of living space. When Tulsi started crawling, having that deck was an absolute game-changer. It gave us extra room for him to explore, got us all outside more often, and made the whole house feel bigger because we effectively turned the living room into an indoor-outdoor area.

What we’d do differently:

Honestly, I wish we’d built the deck sooner. When Tulsi was tiny, it wasn’t an issue, but by the time he started crawling, we had to hustle to make that happen.

Noise: A Surprising Non-Issue

I’ll admit, before we moved in, I worried about noise. In a tiny house, the walls are thin, and space is obviously limited. Were we going to have to whisper all evening so we didn’t wake the baby? Not at all. We chat, watch movies, even run the blender (occasionally at questionable hours), and Tulsi sleeps right through it. Babies adapt to the sounds of their environment incredibly well, especially if they hear them from day one.

What we’d do differently:

Not much here. I’m actually grateful that we never tiptoed around too much. Tulsi’s been pretty chill about noise because of it.

Other Considerations & Tips

Even though we’ve loved our tiny house journey, there are a few additional things we’ve learned along the way:

Storage Is Key
Every little nook counts. We use under-bed drawers, hanging shelves, and the space in Tulsi’s room to keep everything organized. If I could go back, I’d probably invest in more built-in cabinets from the get-go—just to keep clutter off the floors and counters.
Minimalism Really Helps
When you’re living in such a small footprint, it becomes very clear which baby items are actually necessary. We stuck mostly to the essentials: cloth nappies, a baby carrier, a few basic outfits, and minimal gadgets. If we outgrew something or didn’t use it for a few weeks, we donated it or passed it on.
Think About Ventilation
Tiny houses can heat up quickly—especially when you’re cooking or have multiple people inside. Newborns can’t regulate their temperature as easily, so good airflow (and maybe a small fan) goes a long way. We had decent ventilation, but I’d add another window or two if I could do it all over again.
Visitors & Social Time
One challenge is hosting guests. Tiny house living can get cozy real fast if a bunch of people drop by. We often invite friends to hang out on the deck or meet us at a local park for a picnic. It keeps the house from feeling crowded and still gives us a sense of community.
Have Fun With It
Seriously, living in a tiny house with a newborn might sound daunting, but it can be so rewarding. We’ve learned that bigger isn’t always better—our space feels homey, our family is close, and it’s actually easier to keep clean than a traditional house (not gonna lie, that’s a huge plus).

Final Thoughts + Questions

Tiny house living with a newborn has been an adventure—one filled with cozy family naps, baby giggles bouncing off the walls (literally), and the occasional “Where does this go?” moment. We’ve grown a lot as parents by learning to do more with less, and I honestly wouldn’t trade this experience for anything.

But that’s just our story! If you’re considering a tiny house with a baby, I’d love to hear your questions or thoughts. And if you have any suggestions we haven’t covered—like creative storage hacks, more baby-friendly modifications, or ways to handle visiting family—please share! We’re always open to learning new ways to make our little space feel even more like home.

With love and a whole lot of snug family cuddles,
Tess