Using restaurant highchair to stand car carrier on?

BEATOU

Can somebody tell me more about this? I've seen people at some restaurants using upside down high chairs to hold their infant seat. How exactly does this work, and is it safe? Do you strap it on somehow? We're starting to venture out w/ LO to restaurants, and I'm wondering the best way to do this. Thanks!

Mrs.Boeck

I wouldn't do it... we went to a restaurant with BIL, SIL, and their kids one time and they did this with their youngest one. Her car seat fell off the high chair and onto the floor!

brideofscowboy

I've never heard of this. It doesn't sound too safe either.

With all the drama surrounding shopping carts and infant seats, I don't imagine this is any different.

I'm curious to see what others think also.

lp0418

I've worked in restaurants all my life and have seen quite a few topple over this way, so no, I wouldn't do it. Most restaurants have a sling like thing that is made to hold infant seats, use that.

MrsL.inMarch

Turn two chairs together and push them up against a wall with the seat on them. That is what we do.

mrsrose16

I waitressed for 5 years and after seeing a highchair get bumped into and the carrier go on the floor (baby was ok), I'd advise against it. I'd put the seat in the booth with me. But now many restaurants have slings for the carriers, or highchairs that actually convert to slings.

laurenshay

It is not my favorite option, but we do it if they don't have the sling things to put her seat in.  Just make sure you sit right next to the chair just in case.  There are no straps to strap it down with.  You just set the seat in it.  It can be scary, so like I said sit right next to it.

lisanjay

We have done it. But we have only done it at restaurants where the high chairs are made to be used in this way. If they are they usually will have a strap that you can use to also help secure the seat in place. Some restaurant high chairs are too wide/big to hold the carseat so it would be unsafe. Also, look on the bottom of the high chair sometimes it will say if it can be used in this way. One restaurant had a sling/tray that we could use...it was pretty neat. usually we just put her in the booth (if available) with us.

evenstar622

We always just take the stroller (we have a snap n go that the carseat hooks to).  And we always sit at a table that won't be in the way.  We pull out one of the chairs, and park the stroller sideways next to the table.

bparkhur

This used to be standard fare at restaurants, but it has recently been determined to be unsafe. Now, the majority of restaurants (particularly corporate-owned) have implemented infant carrier slings. A number of restaurants still use the upside down wooden high chair option, however. Personally, I'd ask for a booth and place the carrier in the booth with me.

JOEBunny

I don't do it, they are too wobbly and it is is too easy to knock them over.  I also don't use grocery cart seats.  Just not worth it. 

Mrs.S9102005

I did it last night and I will try not to do it again. He was right next to me and there was way more then enough space between our booth and the other side. But I didn't feel it was stable enough, esp if he was older and was moving around a lot more.

Next time I'll  make sure we have the Snap-n-Go in the car if they don't have a sling. I don't love putting our car seat in the booth. The Chicco Key Fit is bigger and didn't  fit very well in the few restaurants we've been too.

adncarrie

I do this at restaurants that don't have slings or booths with wide enough seats for the carrier.  I just attempt to wedge the carrier between the high chair and the table edge to keep it steady. 

On anothe rnote: I went to Chevy's in the mall once and had the snapngo so I wanted to keep DS in it and they said that restaurants aren't allowed to have strollers in the aisle b/c it is a fire escape hazard.... Uh?!? is my stroller worse than the huge sling that you gave me that won't roll out of the way????

Also I sometimes use a regular chair (places like quiznos - no booths, no highchairs) and just make sure the carrier is wedged tight next to the table to keep it steady and that DS is strapped in if he were to get bumped off.

BEATOU

Thanks for all of the info. I think we'll skip the upside down highchair and just request a booth.