How to Take a Baby or Toddler to a Restaurant
Don't let your family outing turn into a food fight or the quickest meal on record. These strategies can make eating out together fun for everyone.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Baby Bottles
- Booster Seats
- High Chairs
- Baby Food
- Baby Rattles
- Baby Toys
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1
Plan to go to a restaurant during your child's normal mealtime.
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2
Make a reservation if you have a large party. Often restaurants take reservations for parties of more than six people. If not, ask about the wait. Hungry tummies and long waits do not mix.
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3
Inquire about the availability of high chairs and boosters. Take a hint if the restaurant doesn't have high chairs or boosters on hand: This may not be the best place for young kids.
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4
Keep a portable booster in your car in case the restaurant has already given out all its high chairs.
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5
Change your baby's diaper before entering a restaurant.
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6
Try to sit near other families. Other parents tolerate squeals and tantrums much better. Plus, with other kids around, any noise and commotion that occurs at your table may just blend in rather than drawing unwanted attention.
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7
Consider sitting outside or near a window to provide distractions for your child and to keep any noise away from the central dining area.
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8
Assess the table arrangement. Move out of reach all sharp utensils, breakable plates, glassware and any other objects not safe for young children to handle or hurl.
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9
Bring food or a bottle for your child or baby and offer it early in the meal. If ordering food for your child, flag down the waiter soon after sitting down to get food to the table as soon as possible.
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10
Provide age-appropriate books and toys for your child to play with while you are eating.
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11
Investigate how to place your infant carrier safely on a chair. Some carriers can sit atop a high chair or on a regular chair. Booths work well.
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12
Tip big - give some respect to staff who must clean up after your family leaves, including any mess under your baby's seat.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Ask other families about restaurants geared to kids. Some restaurants have generous chil-dren's menus, pass out balloons or crayons, or sing silly songs for birthdays.
Save four-star restaurants for nights out with your partner.
Avoid placing the infant seat on the ground when your baby is sleeping, in case of spilled beverages.
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Comments
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shaneholland
Feb 19, 2008
If you want to take your child out to eat, then make it a regular habit. We didn't change our routine when we had kids, so eating out was just as normal for them as eating at home. A few thoughts ... If you arrive in a chaotic mood, you should expect chaos. I see many parents who are clearly stressed to be taking their children out to eat. They overreact at every noise and spilled beverage. Children feed off of this and respond accordingly. Stay on a schedule. Kids thrive on schedules, so definitely plan your outing around your normal mealtime. Our mealtime is 5:30 which works great for restaurants which are mostly empty at this time (except for other parents and their kids). Know your child. Sometimes they are just not in the right mood for going out. If you've had a hectic day and they are exhausted your asking for trouble. Don't go hungry. We've found that a qu -
shaneholland
Feb 19, 2008
If you want to take your child out to eat, then make it a regular habit. We didn't change our routine when we had kids, so eating out was just as normal for them as eating at home. A few thoughts ... If you arrive in a chaotic mood, you should expect chaos. I see many parents who are clearly stressed to be taking their children out to eat. They overreact at every noise and spilled beverage. Children feed off of this and respond accordingly. Stay on a schedule. Kids thrive on schedules, so definitely plan your outing around your normal mealtime. Our mealtime is 5:30 which works great for restaurants which are mostly empty at this time (except for other parents and their kids). Know your child. Sometimes they are just not in the right mood for going out. If you've had a hectic day and they are exhausted your asking for trouble. Don't go hungry. We've found that a qu
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Jun 30, 2006
As a former waitress, I'd also suggest calling the restaurant beforehand to see if the menu is suitable for your child. I got frustrated when people would ask me for chicken fingers and grilled cheese at a restaurant that served neither. The parents would then ask me, "Well what is my child supposed to eat?" We also had parents would bring McDonald's into our restaurant because that's what their kids wanted. That is very disrespectful toward the restaurant owner. Please, make sure the restaurant is suitable for your child. If it isn't, you might wish to hire a sitter so you and your spouse can enjoy spicy chicken tandoori to your heart's content.
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Nov 22, 2005
Me and my husband like to eat at buffet restaurants because it is easier on us. Now that our daughter is old enough to eat the same as we do, it is better for us because she does not have to wait long. We also like to set around other families.
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Nov 22, 2005
As an ex-waitress and new mom, I advise you to leave an extra $2 in your tip. Cleaning up after and waiting on a family with small children IS extra work and time for the waiter, and if you frequent the same restaurant, they will remember you.
