Mamas: How old did you take your LO to a restaurant?

inamra · June 2010

Since this weekend is Father's Day, I was planning to celebrate with MH at his favorite restaurant. So I started to talk to MH about going out to eat sometime and he's uncomfortable taking the baby to a restaurant b/c he thinks he's too young and that I may need to interrupt the meal to nurse him. Our LO is 1 month now, so I was thinking it should be okay, but now I'm wondering if most ppl wait until later to go out to eat with their LO. Also, he's too small to fit in a restaurant high chair, so would you just keep the baby in the stroller?

So mamas, I'm wondering...when did you start taking your LO out to a restaurant? Is it really that tough? Were there any special preparations you took for the outing? TIA for any advice or suggestions

redshoegirl · June 2010

We've taken our boys to a restaurant/cafe...three times now, I think? Maybe four. And a few times to a coffee shop, too. The first time was when they were about 3-4 weeks old, the last time was about a week ago. They just stayed in their stroller, so obviously we didn't go anywhere fancy and it was important that there was plenty of space around the tables so that we could get our stroller in and also not be in the way of other people.

Special preparations - not anything, really! We made sure we had bottles in case they got hungry, but we do that any time we take them out. Oh, we also made sure that we left home immediately after they ate to give us the maximum amount of time out of the house, and to make sure they'd sleep in their stroller as long as possible.

I don't think it's that tough - yeah, they fussed a little one of the times, but no hysterical crying or anything. And I think it helps that we DO take them places (to the store, etc.) so they're used to sleeping through noise and in different locations. I do remember that at 1 month old they weren't terribly fond of their stroller, but these days they settle into it pretty quickly.

sanae78 · June 2010

Um...I was bad and went shopping with her when she was like 4 days old. And we ate at a ramen place at the mall. I was wearing her in a sling and it was a bit difficult to eat but it worked out ok. We eat out most of the time so we've been taking her to restaurants all the time since she was born. Now we always have her in her stroller and if I know she'll be due to eat I usually bring a bottle of breast milk with us. Sometimes I do nurse her though.

Married2MrWright · June 2010

The first time we took Libby to a restaurant she was 2 weeks old (it was for a Valentine's Day lunch at a sushi place). Usually, I put her in my Moby-style wrap and just wear her. She generally sleeps. I did nurse her the first time out, at the sushi place, because of the time of day, it was time for her to eat too. I wore a shirt over a nursing tank and we were in a booth so I was able to angle myself towards the wall, away from where people might see anything while I got her latched on. She was also in the fabric wrap carrier at the time, which also provides modesty.

A couple of times she was asleep when we've arrived at the restaurant so we've brought her in her infant carrier/car seat. She's always awakened though and wanted ot be out of the seat and held, so I always ended up wearing her. One time we were in a restaurant and she was asleep in her car seat/infant carrier and woke up hungry/fussy. She was starting to cry loudly, so I took her to the car and fed her while J and my Dad ordered our food. By the time out food arrived I was back at the table with Libby.

A week or so ago I wore her while J and I had burgers at Red Robin, she stayed awake and just played with her Sophie teether and people watched, etc.

If your LO will stay in the infant carrier/car seat you can put it in the booth with you or on a chair at the table. Sometimes servers will turn a restaurant highchair over to act as a base to hold the carrier, just be sure this is stable enough for you carrier/LO. Good luck and have a great time!

lola808 · June 2010

I've taken A to casual dining restaurants since about 6 weeks. I would initially wear him in my Moby, but I often spilled food on him, even if I put a burp cloth over his head, so I try to avoid that now.

We went to CPK the other day and I was planning to have him in the stroller. Well, they made a big to-do about not having space for it and asking if I could just use the carrier seat -- I had none, it's just a plain old stroller!. Thankfully, I was able to put him to sleep and let him rest on the bench seat next to me. Ugh. So, if you plan to take the stroller, make sure you get a reservation for a table that accommodates one.

MauiWedding08 · June 2010

ummmm 5 days old? We stopped for lunch at red robin after his first ped appt. Jack is a content, calm baby so I don't hesitate to take him anywhere.

we didn't use to eat very often but since he has been born we have been doing it a lot more often. when our ILs are in town (7 out of his 16 weeks) they only want to eat out.

when I wasn't so good at NIP I would make it a point to feed him before we left or in the car while MH waited for a table or something. Now I don't mind at feed him whenever, wherever but really prefer a booth for privacy.

I usually wear him - I like the ring sling b/c I can loosen it and slide him off to the side. These days his is getting too big for both of us to fit like that in a booth. Plus if he is awake he wants to be held up to the table and I have to bring toys for him to reach and play with. We even took our chances and took him with us when we took MIL to a "fancy" (for our town) steak house. He was awake for most of it but since he seems so well adjusted to be taken anywhere he was as happy as clam watching us and starting at the pretty decor.

mrspresley · June 2010

I can't remember how old she was, we did more take out when she was little just b/c it was flu season at the time. I think it's fine for you to go out for Father's day...each restaurant is different so just call ahead and find out how they can accommodate you. when i went to carrabba's they even had this sling type thing that holds the infant seat so it's at eye level so you don't have to put it on the floor. I would say though that babies are unpredictable and even if you nurse right before you go, he may decide that he wants seconds while you are out...so if you aren't comfortable nursing in public then be prepared to give him a bottle or you could always do something like run to the car and nurse there and then come back in.

inamra · June 2010

Okay, yeah, I didn't know if it was feasible to wear your baby while eating. Good to know that several of you do it! Has anyone tried wearing the baby on the side (aka hip carry) while eating?

I haven't had sushi since I delivered and am trying to think how feasible it would be to sit at a sushi bar with a baby on my hip? =P

myday1708 · June 2010

I took Alexa to Starbucks when she was 8 days old. Since I had a c-section, we were in the hospital until she was 4 days old and when I got home, there was some recovery time involved. Walking to Starbucks was helpful for me in my recovery and it gave me a chance to practice carrying her in a sling, changing her on a restaurant changer and NIP with a blanket or cover.

We took her to an actual restaurant when she was 1 month old. DH had her in the Bjorn until she got fussy, then I took her and held her.

Later on, when she was probably 2-5 months, when she was sleeping in the car seat, we'd just put the car seat in the snap & go, drape a blanket over top, and wheel her into the restaurant and have a nice long uninterrupted lunch while she napped.

Now? Well, now she sits in her high chair and we feed her first, then give her one toy after another to keep her occupied while we scarf down our food! Hahahaha.

mrs.winter · June 2010

Ashton went for his 1st restaurant visit when he was few days old. He was mostly sleeping but now that he is more active, we just take turns eating. He didn't like to stay in his car seat but now that he is older he tolerates the high chair most of the time. Good luck. I think the more you have baby exposed to going out, etc. the better they are when you do take them out.

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