How Do You Use Carseat Carrier in Restaurant?

GoBleu

DH and I had only eaten out with little one where we paid ahead (Qdoba) and there were plenty of booths for us to put the carseat carrier in with one of us.  This weekend we were stumped though when we went out to eat pancakes with a large group and we didn't know what to do with the carrier.  The options presented to us were:

balancing it on a wooden high chair - which seems too dangergous

balancing it on an upside down wooden high chair - when I saw the bottom I almost choked from the amount of grime caked on it

a chair - that seems dangerous too

the floor - it wasn't carpeting and just didn't look as clean as I would have like

We went with the floor but I would love to hear from wise diners as to any tricks or what they have found to be the best solution.  

Tippy05

We try to request a booth.  If that isn't available, we'll get a table and turn the highchair provided upside down and we haven't had a problem with it not being secure enough. I always try to put the seat in the corner or against a wall if possible to keep him out of line of people walking by.

susie985

A lot of restaurants have slings for carriers and if they don't have that or a booth, I will sometimes use an upside down wooden high chair (right next to me and supervised the whole time) or on a chair tightly between the table and side of the chair (again, next to me and supervised the whole time).

snansley

So far we have either gotten a booth or just keep the carrier snapped into the stroller at the end of the table.

mrs.kapow

We usually do the upside down high chair and push it into the end of hte table to secure the carseat. As long as none of us are touching the bottom, I don't care.

julybride04:)

Our carrier connects to a cart which is very nice.  I would into one of those.  It was a nice investment we have used for both kids.  Our carreir is Graco............

NicoleR524

i would use a snap n go if there wasn't a booth.  once we turned the car seat sideways on a regular chair but it definitely wasn't very secure and i ended up holding him most of the time. 

nycnola

I've worked in restaurants since I was 14 and I have never been allowed to flip a highchair for a customer because of the risks. The standard wooden highchair is not stable on the ground when flipped, and the carseat could slip forward with baby in it. A lawsuit waiting to happen for a resyaurant if the employee flips the seat, and cutsomers get pissed when we say "you can flip if you like but we cannot". DH and I always just use a chair or the floor.

wifeandmama

No.. I hate those car seats.  I wore both of my kids or we take turns holding the baby.

MyLittleSweetPea

nycnola:

I've worked in restaurants since I was 14 and I have never been allowed to flip a highchair for a customer because of the risks. The standard wooden highchair is not stable on the ground when flipped, and the carseat could slip forward with baby in it. A lawsuit waiting to happen for a resyaurant if the employee flips the seat, and cutsomers get pissed when we say "you can flip if you like but we cannot". DH and I always just use a chair or the floor.

 

We ate at a Red Robin once and they would not even let US put LO in an upside down highchair.  I was kinda pissed but I guess it was for the best.

samp42

Most we have gone to have the slings that you can put he carrier in.

sleepyowlette

I go either booth, large stool (if available), or floor. Even if the floor isn't the the cleanest looking, at least there's nowhere to fall from.