I’m tempted to just write that you shouldn’t ever take your baby to a restaurant and leave it at that. There are lots of good reasons not to bring baby along with you to a restaurant. And just to clarify here, McDonald’s doesn’t count. Yet despite my numerous (and rather humorous) experiences in restaurants with my babies I find myself in various situations that necessitate coping with both a nice eating establishment and the typical baby. (By typical that means the audibly belching, sm diapered, fussy baby.)
Of course everyone with any common sense knows that toddlers require crayons and other various forms of entertainment when you go out to eat. But what about babies? If you can’t avoid taking your baby to a restaurant here are some tips to survive the experience!
1. Ditch the stroller.
Strollers are annoying in restaurants. Most restaurants will make you fold them up anyways so don’t bother brining it in. Just plan on holding your baby. Besides, if you’re not an expert in doing tasks one handed yet. . .this is a good time to learn this most necessary skill. If you have a car seat/carrier, they generally will fit on top of a high chair.
2. Don’t eat the appetizers.
One of the worst evenings at a restaurant that we’ve ever had, was when we ordered appetizers and dessert and the service was a tad bit s. . . . . l. . . . . .o. . . . . .w. Babies have a limit to what they can handle and two to three hours of leisurely dinner likely breaches their limit.
3. Likewise, avoid ‘fussy’ times.
If you can, try to avoid taking baby to a restaurant during the time he’s supposed to be going down for a nap. You may be blessed with a baby who sleeps anywhere on cue. . .but you are a rarity. It is much more common for babies to be over stimulated and then not fall asleep when they really need to. This will leave you taking shifts to eat while the other person walks, rocks and shushes the baby.
4. If you’re breastfeeding. . .
Try to ask for a table and not a booth in an out of the way spot. You can’t help where they put you but making a specific request will make your life easier if they are able to accommodate it. (In case you’re wondering about the booth I will tell you that I have yet to find a booth in which I can fit while nursing.)
5. Help the waiter. . .
It is rare to find the gem of a waiter that gets the idea that you don’t put the sizzling pan of fajitas within baby’s reach. We’re very, very nice to our waiters but if they seem even the slightest bit confused as to where to put the food down. . .we direct them to spots that will not result in a trip to the emergency room for burn treatment. (Spoken from a parent who once did that trip.)
Obviously I write this kind of tongue and cheek realizing that most people opt not to take their infants to a really nice restaurant or they don’t have a choice. But a little planning can make the experience much more doable.