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Eating Out with Baby / Kids
Most of us enjoy eating out. And when it was just the two of you, it was pretty simple. You just decided you were hungry and stopped somewhere for lunch, or you booked a restaurant you liked for dinner. You really didn’t have to think about much, other than what time to book the table or whether or not you would stop somewhere for pre-dinner drinks, though once you become a family, things change.
Many new parents dread the thought of eating out, as babies are unpredictable and there is no guarantee that they will behave themselves, however, going out for a nice meal doesn’t have to become a thing of the past. With a little planning there is a way to literally “have your cake and eat it too!”
Many new parents dread the thought of eating out, as babies are unpredictable and there is no guarantee that they will behave themselves, however, going out for a nice meal doesn’t have to become a thing of the past. With a little planning there is a way to literally “have your cake and eat it too!”
The first thing that you need to realise is, that once you have a baby, eating out is no longer just as simple as turning up and getting a table. You will now have to do some planning, such as considering things like whether or not a particular restaurant is kid-friendly or whether it is located near a mother’s room.
Once you start eating out as a family, you will start viewing restaurants not just by the menu, but how practical they are, and whether or not they are going to be suited to you.
If you have decided that it is time for you and your partner to get out and start doing ‘normal’ things again, then follow our tips to eating out with baby.
Timing
First and foremost is timing. Make sure you plan your meal around your baby’s meal or nap time. A tired or hungry baby will only make your outing out, that much more difficult. If you know your baby will sleep in their pram, try feeding them, and then taking them for a walk, so they fall asleep in the pram, and then wheel yourself over to the cafe’ for a peaceful meal.
Kid-friendly restaurants
If possible try to find a kid-friendly restaurant or Cafe’. Many establishments now cater for families. Not only will they have the equipment you need available, but other families will be dining there too. Family friendly restaurants tend to have a more fun and relaxed atmosphere, which will definitely help to make you feel more comfortable.
Try to avoid formal establishments, where families do not frequent, as every sound your baby makes will seem ten times louder, which will only leave you open to ‘unimpressed’ stares, and comments, which will only dampen your experience.
Space
Check out how the restaurant is set up. Is there room for you to get a pram through? Do they have room for a high chair? Is there a corner where you can sit away from the majority of other diners? If you are breastfeeding is there a quiet and discreet corner that you can sit to feed your baby?
Try to book a place where there is plenty of space around you to set up and if possible in a corner away from other guests. You will enjoy yourself more if you are not worried about disturbing other diners there without children.
High Chair
Does the restaurant have a high chair you can use? If so bring a blanket or antiseptic wipes to ensure that your baby is sitting in a clean chair, and eating off a clean tray. If the restaurant does not supply a high chair, and you think you may eat out a lot, than consider purchasing a portable booster seat.
Nappy Changes and Time Outs
Does the restaurant have a change room or change table for your baby, or is there a mother’s room close by? Is there somewhere you or your partner can walk away from the majority of customers if you need to settle the baby? If possible try to change your baby just before you arrive so there is less chance you need to worry about a nappy change. And don’t forget to bring a clean outfit for baby, and plenty of wipes.
Ordering your meals
When considering a restaurant ask how long will you have to wait for your meals? If you are trying to time your meal with your baby’s feeds or nap times then you don’t want to be waiting half an hour for your meals to show up. Long gone are the days where you could simply sit and chat and sip on your chardonnay whilst the kitchen took as long as they needed.
Consider getting to the restaurant early to miss the rush, this way your meals will arrive quicker and there will be less other guests to worry about. Some restaurants even offer discounts for ‘early bird’ customers.
If you are coinciding your meal with your baby or toddler, make sure you bring their meals, or some snacks to keep them busy. They won’t want to wait for the meals to arrive before they eat, and you will have more of a chance to enjoy a hot meal, if they are busy eating themselves.
If your child is eating off the menu and you wish to avoid the old ‘chicken nuggets and chips’ meal for your child, then consider asking for a side dish of vegetables or an entree size serve of chicken or fish.
And don’t forget to bring their cutlery, plates or special sippy cup. Restaurants may have children’s meals but rarely supply the eating utensils you use at home. If your child makes a mess when they eat, consider bringing your plastic drop mat from home.
Entertainment
Let’s face it. Baby’s get bored, and quickly. Make sure you bring along a couple of toys to keep your baby amused. Try to bring something that doesn’t make a lot of noise and preferably something new or that they haven’t played for in a while in order to prolong the diversion.
For an older child consider bringing books, colouring pencils or their favourite movie on a portable DVD player.
Keeping still
If your baby or toddler is mobile, they will want to get down and run around, but try to keep your baby close by. Not only do you increase the chances of them ‘annoying' other customers but restaurants can be dangerous places for curious little people.
Usually most tantrums come when a parent tries to get an otherwise amused child back into their highchair once their meal has arrived. So save yourself the stress and keep them amused in their chair from the moment you arrive.
If all goes down hill
If your child decides that today they don’t want to play the game, then you may have to cut your visit short. If you have already ordered, check if the meals have been prepared yet, and if possible cancel the order, or ask for it ‘to go’. If you are half way through a meal, consider tag teaming, and take it turns to take the baby for a walk outside the restaurant whilst the other one eats, or simply ask for a ‘doggy bag’.
If your child makes a mess, try to clean up as much as you can. And if they have put on a bit of a turn, apologise and consider leaving a tip. As embarrassing as it seems at the time, most people have children of their own, and will actually sympathise with you, if not, then scratch them off the list for future visits and find somewhere more kid friendly next time.
There are now restaurants and cafes they cater directly for parents, so it is worth looking around your local area for child friendly establishments. Another advantage of family restaurants is that many have play areas, or entertainment for your children, and as your child grows you will be entitled to kids specials such as “kids eat free”.
Even though it can sometimes be tricky going out with a baby, it is important to give your baby a chance to view and learn table manners and the social etiquette that comes with eating in public. The more they get accustomed to the whole experience of eating out, the sooner you can get back to your old life and begin to enjoy eating out as a family.
Once you start eating out as a family, you will start viewing restaurants not just by the menu, but how practical they are, and whether or not they are going to be suited to you.
If you have decided that it is time for you and your partner to get out and start doing ‘normal’ things again, then follow our tips to eating out with baby.
Timing
First and foremost is timing. Make sure you plan your meal around your baby’s meal or nap time. A tired or hungry baby will only make your outing out, that much more difficult. If you know your baby will sleep in their pram, try feeding them, and then taking them for a walk, so they fall asleep in the pram, and then wheel yourself over to the cafe’ for a peaceful meal.
Kid-
If possible try to find a kid-
Try to avoid formal establishments, where families do not frequent, as every sound your baby makes will seem ten times louder, which will only leave you open to ‘unimpressed’ stares, and comments, which will only dampen your experience.
Space
Check out how the restaurant is set up. Is there room for you to get a pram through? Do they have room for a high chair? Is there a corner where you can sit away from the majority of other diners? If you are breastfeeding is there a quiet and discreet corner that you can sit to feed your baby?
Try to book a place where there is plenty of space around you to set up and if possible in a corner away from other guests. You will enjoy yourself more if you are not worried about disturbing other diners there without children.
High Chair
Does the restaurant have a high chair you can use? If so bring a blanket or antiseptic wipes to ensure that your baby is sitting in a clean chair, and eating off a clean tray. If the restaurant does not supply a high chair, and you think you may eat out a lot, than consider purchasing a portable booster seat.
Nappy Changes and Time Outs
Does the restaurant have a change room or change table for your baby, or is there a mother’s room close by? Is there somewhere you or your partner can walk away from the majority of customers if you need to settle the baby? If possible try to change your baby just before you arrive so there is less chance you need to worry about a nappy change. And don’t forget to bring a clean outfit for baby, and plenty of wipes.
Ordering your meals
When considering a restaurant ask how long will you have to wait for your meals? If you are trying to time your meal with your baby’s feeds or nap times then you don’t want to be waiting half an hour for your meals to show up. Long gone are the days where you could simply sit and chat and sip on your chardonnay whilst the kitchen took as long as they needed.
Consider getting to the restaurant early to miss the rush, this way your meals will arrive quicker and there will be less other guests to worry about. Some restaurants even offer discounts for ‘early bird’ customers.
If you are coinciding your meal with your baby or toddler, make sure you bring their meals, or some snacks to keep them busy. They won’t want to wait for the meals to arrive before they eat, and you will have more of a chance to enjoy a hot meal, if they are busy eating themselves.
If your child is eating off the menu and you wish to avoid the old ‘chicken nuggets and chips’ meal for your child, then consider asking for a side dish of vegetables or an entree size serve of chicken or fish.
And don’t forget to bring their cutlery, plates or special sippy cup. Restaurants may have children’s meals but rarely supply the eating utensils you use at home. If your child makes a mess when they eat, consider bringing your plastic drop mat from home.
Entertainment
Let’s face it. Baby’s get bored, and quickly. Make sure you bring along a couple of toys to keep your baby amused. Try to bring something that doesn’t make a lot of noise and preferably something new or that they haven’t played for in a while in order to prolong the diversion.
For an older child consider bringing books, colouring pencils or their favourite movie on a portable DVD player.
Keeping still
If your baby or toddler is mobile, they will want to get down and run around, but try to keep your baby close by. Not only do you increase the chances of them ‘annoying' other customers but restaurants can be dangerous places for curious little people.
Usually most tantrums come when a parent tries to get an otherwise amused child back into their highchair once their meal has arrived. So save yourself the stress and keep them amused in their chair from the moment you arrive.
If all goes down hill
If your child decides that today they don’t want to play the game, then you may have to cut your visit short. If you have already ordered, check if the meals have been prepared yet, and if possible cancel the order, or ask for it ‘to go’. If you are half way through a meal, consider tag teaming, and take it turns to take the baby for a walk outside the restaurant whilst the other one eats, or simply ask for a ‘doggy bag’.
If your child makes a mess, try to clean up as much as you can. And if they have put on a bit of a turn, apologise and consider leaving a tip. As embarrassing as it seems at the time, most people have children of their own, and will actually sympathise with you, if not, then scratch them off the list for future visits and find somewhere more kid friendly next time.
There are now restaurants and cafes they cater directly for parents, so it is worth looking around your local area for child friendly establishments. Another advantage of family restaurants is that many have play areas, or entertainment for your children, and as your child grows you will be entitled to kids specials such as “kids eat free”.
Even though it can sometimes be tricky going out with a baby, it is important to give your baby a chance to view and learn table manners and the social etiquette that comes with eating in public. The more they get accustomed to the whole experience of eating out, the sooner you can get back to your old life and begin to enjoy eating out as a family.
Got any hints or tips for eating out? Or know any kid friendly or eat for free restaurants, then let us know.....
