How to Take a Newborn to a Restaurant

As new parents, you need a break from cooking and often want to go out to eat! What is the best way to prepare for eating out with a newborn?

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Patience
• Bottles of breastmilk or formula
• Blanket
• Diapers/Wipes
• Pacifier

1. Do your research. Before you leave the house, make sure you know where you're going and that you have a reservation or reasonable expectation of what will happen once you reach the restaurant. The last thing you want when you're sleep deprived is a surprise.
2. Nurse, or bottle feed, your baby before leaving. Make sure your newborn is clean, dry, and dressed appropriately for being outside.
3. Pack a blanket (for those chilly restaurants), diapers and wipes, an extra bottle (or two, depending on how long you'll be gone) of formula or breast milk, and a pacifier.
4. Once you get to the restaurant, make sure they provide you with a high chair (most infant carriers fit nicely into restaurant high chairs. If you need help, your server will know how to set it up, just ask.) You can also place the carrier on the bench of a booth, if you'd like your baby to be a little bit closer to you and more accessible.
5. Relax and enjoy your time out! Most likely, your newborn will sleep through it all, and you will be at peace knowing you've prepared well! The experience will give you confidence in future outings and in your capabilities as a parent.

Tips & Warnings

• Laugh. If something happens that you don't expect (baby's diaper explodes all over his/her clean outfit), try to stay calm and realize that it's not the end of the world.
• Don't leave your baby alone at any time while you're out. Keep your eyes, and hands, on the carrier at all times.
• Pay attention to the restaurant's temperature levels so you can remove or add a blanket as necessary.