mind blown...

blondolphn · November 2013

So with the car seat on top of shopping cart seat discussions, I wondered about the car seat on top of the high chair at restaurants. So I googled it. I would have never known not to do it, because the servers here do it. Saywha?

SuperTreesa · November 2013

Yup. The upside down wooden highchair is a big no-no. Some restaurants around here have a weird netted frame that is made to hold carseats. That is also a big no-no. I've actually seen two carseats nearly knocked off the nets by servers or customers bumping into them.

if we bring a sleeping baby into the restaurant, we just leave her on the floor. I've become very masterful at rocking the carseat with my foot while eating.

Gatorsgirl731 · November 2013

I wonder if you put the carseat in that way and the server bumps into it knocking the carseat to the floor, does that become a liability to the restaurant? Like the same as a customer slipping and falling?

Mmhodges07 · November 2013

It says it on the high hair...

manders726 · November 2013

Am I the only one who's never seen or heard about this?

BlessUrHeart29 · November 2013

I was wondering about this also. Everywhere we go servers ask us of we want to put the carrier on a high chair. I never thought anything of it until the shopping cart conversation started (although I did know not to put it on top of the shopping cart).

Jenball717 · November 2013

The big reason I would never want to is because you're putting the carseat on the bottom of the chair, the part that touches the floor of a restaurant. And how often does that chair get cleaned? Germ city! Gross. I try not to put the carseat down on public floors anyway, because of the ick factor. Risk may be low for germs getting me sick but it just seems so gross.

kimbo1216 · November 2013

I didn't know that was a big no-no, but we don't do it because I never liked the way her car seat felt. It just didn't feel secure enough. This is why I prefer booths. We can just slide her in.

blondolphn · November 2013

Mmhodges07 said:

It says it on the high hair...

First time Mom. I wouldn't have had a reason to read high chairs...But the servers should know better.

Weljadraak · November 2013

I've heard of this before the shopping cart one. We get asked all the time if we want a highchair.

We've been out a couple times and we fit the car seat on the inside of the booth.

shelley1002 · November 2013

I've seen several start to tip over. Luckily the parents were watching and caught everything as soon as it started tipping. The staff and parents got a lesson of why not to do that.

Mmhodges07 · November 2013

Jenball717 said:
The big reason I would never want to is because you're putting the carseat on the bottom of the chair, the part that touches the floor of a restaurant. And how often does that chair get cleaned? Germ city! Gross. I try not to put the carseat down on public floors anyway, because of the ick factor. Risk may be low for germs getting me sick but it just seems so gross.

@jenball717 Same mindset. I hate germs... It's a really bad "characteristic" I have. Makes me paranoid!

Mae208 · November 2013

The last time DH and I went to dinner, the hostess asked if we wanted one of those slings to put the car seat on. I said no, she's sleeping anyway and will be fine on the floor. Then she went on to explain to me that a sling will be just like baby on the floor, only higher. I said yes, I know what the sling is, we don't need one. And she proceeded to ask me AGAIN if I was sure that I didn't want one. It was seriously weird! Like leave me alone, I'm fine having the damn car seat on the floor!

kimbo1216 · November 2013

blondolphn said:

Mmhodges07 said:

It says it on the high hair...

First time Mom. I wouldn't have had a reason to read high chairs...But the servers should know better.

You can't blame the servers. 1. Not all high chairs say it. 2. The safety of YOUR baby is your responsibility. Not theirs.

Mmhodges07 · November 2013

blondolphn said:

Mmhodges07 said:

It says it on the high hair...

First time Mom. I wouldn't have had a reason to read high chairs...But the servers should know better.

@blondolphn Sorry didn't mean it to be rude. FTM here too, but I've worked in hospitality, and I am a stickler about child safety!!! I would scold my fellow employees if they assisted in giving a family a highchair for this purpose.

You're also not supposed to stack more than two high hairs, because it compromises the safety, and can compromise the feet/legs of them. I see this in restaurants all the time too.

blondolphn · November 2013

@mmhodges07
I didn't think you meant to come off that way, but sometimes the obvious isn't so obvious when the cultural norm is so wrong.

Maybe there should be a book on everything you thought you knew was right is wrong....And the bumpies can write it.

@cousinvicki you are opinionated, lets go.

MrsTucker2011 · November 2013

Mae208 said:
The last time DH and I went to dinner, the hostess asked if we wanted one of those slings to put the car seat on. I said no, she's sleeping anyway and will be fine on the floor. Then she went on to explain to me that a sling will be just like baby on the floor, only higher. I said yes, I know what the sling is, we don't need one. And she proceeded to ask me AGAIN if I was sure that I didn't want one. It was seriously weird! Like leave me alone, I'm fine having the damn car seat on the floor!

I've worked in hospitality for 5 years. I think it's safer to have baby up and visible on a sling, instead of on the floor. Servers walk out with plates and baskets on their arms. It's really difficult to balance a load, and have to watch where you're stepping. I've tripped and almost fallen over a diaper bag on the floor carrying food out. I would feel terrible if I tripped on a car seat.

nbcarlson · November 2013

Not trying to be rude about people putting their babies on the ground at all, but I would never just set my LO on the ground in his car seat even if he was sleeping. I personally would just feel like I'm ignoring my little guy, but that's just me.

I always just get a table with enough room that I can set him next to me. It works out well for me. I've thought about just wearing him into restaraunts because I think that would solve all the problems ha.

emmylou78 · November 2013

I prefer sliding them in the booth if there's room. I've never used a highchair, but I have used the sling. I had a hard time getting it sitting right. I wouldn't feel safe with her on the floor and less visible.

jennlin · November 2013

I bring my entire stroller in. No restraint has ever objected, but I don't go to super busy places anyway.

blondolphn · November 2013

We are just starting to venture out with her. Yesterday was our first day.

SnoopyLuv · November 2013

We just slide the seat into the booth. It's almost like she's eating with us.

hartsl01 · November 2013

I would think common sense would tell you to put the carseat on the floor, you know... where there's no chance it could fall.

ETA: I would not put LO out in the middle of a walkway on the floor. If we're at a table instead of a booth, I'll slide him kind of right between my legs on the floor. I always ask for a booth when we go out and generally slide him in next to me.

sooner1981 · November 2013

Mmhodges07 said:

Jenball717 said:
The big reason I would never want to is because you're putting the carseat on the bottom of the chair, the part that touches the floor of a restaurant. And how often does that chair get cleaned? Germ city! Gross. I try not to put the carseat down on public floors anyway, because of the ick factor. Risk may be low for germs getting me sick but it just seems so gross.
@jenball717 Same mindset. I hate germs... It's a really bad "characteristic" I have. Makes me paranoid!

How is putting a carseat on the floor of a restaurant or in a high chair that touches the floor of a restaurant any different than putting it in a buggy at the grocery store?

Haven't you seen those tv specials showing that shopping buggies are pretty much the nastiest, germinating, most E. coli infested things we touch on a daily basis? Now, I definitely put my carseat in the buggy--but for a germaphobe, I can't imagine how you would do it!

Also, at least in our city, putting car seats on the ground at a restaurant is a health code violation because technically, the baby is considered a patron of te restaurant. The restaurant can lose points on an inspection if babies are on the floor. That is why some restaurants are pushy about slings or high chairs. That said, I think they are not all that safe, and we just go to places where the servers aren't quite as strict about the rules that babies can't be on the floor--or I wear the baby in one of the more strict places.

Heather91011 · November 2013

kimbo1216 said:
I didn't know that was a big no-no, but we don't do it because I never liked the way her car seat felt. It just didn't feel secure enough. This is why I prefer booths. We can just slide her in.

This!!!

Mmhodges07 · November 2013

sooner1981 said:

Mmhodges07 said:

Jenball717 said:
The big reason I would never want to is because you're putting the carseat on the bottom of the chair, the part that touches the floor of a restaurant. And how often does that chair get cleaned? Germ city! Gross. I try not to put the carseat down on public floors anyway, because of the ick factor. Risk may be low for germs getting me sick but it just seems so gross.
@jenball717 Same mindset. I hate germs... It's a really bad "characteristic" I have. Makes me paranoid!
How is putting a carseat on the floor of a restaurant or in a high chair that touches the floor of a restaurant any different than putting it in a buggy at the grocery store?

Haven't you seen those tv specials showing that shopping buggies are pretty much the nastiest, germinating, most E. coli infested things we touch on a daily basis? Now, I definitely put my carseat in the buggy--but for a germaphobe, I can't imagine how you would do it!

Also, at least in our city, putting car seats on the ground at a restaurant is a health code violation because technically, the baby is considered a patron of te restaurant. The restaurant can lose points on an inspection if babies are on the floor. That is why some restaurants are pushy about slings or high chairs. That said, I think they are not all that safe, and we just go to places where the servers aren't quite as strict about the rules that babies can't be on the floor--or I wear the baby in one of the more strict places.

I do not place my child in the "buggy". I either wear her or put her in the stroller if I have someone with me.

Also, when I do use a "buggy", I sanitize the majority of it with a disinfectant wipe.

sooner1981 · November 2013

Mmhodges07 said:

I do not place my child in the "buggy". I either wear her or put her in the stroller if I have someone with me.

Also, when I do use a "buggy", I sanitize the majority of it with a disinfectant wipe.

Interesting...Do you put your shoes on and take them off with disposable gloves since they have touched the floor in public places?

Do you rub down the whole "shopping cart" with the disinfectant wipe or just the part where your hands touch?

Do you have older kids? If not, having a toddler is going to be an eye opening experience! When my daughter was up at the hospital after we had our son, she was hanging out in the recovery room playing with her diaper bag, and then suddenly swooped down and ate a candy off the hospital floor that we had certainly not brought in!! Ugh! But she didn't get sick and life goes on...

blondolphn · November 2013

Edit: trying to edit response and it posted.

It must be a local thing on what they will allow ie babies on the floor.
I will probably feel the most comfortable using a chair or a booth location dependent.

sooner1981 · November 2013

blondolphn said:
I had people tell me that the high chairs were designed for th

A lot of people think that--but your car seat manual and the high chair manual should both warn against that use.

blondolphn · November 2013

@sooner1981,

Sorry I was editing the response when you responded. I agree self-education is key. I am just second guessing some of the normal that people you normally trust say.

I also should trust my mom instincts morem

blathnat · November 2013

I just wear her everywhere I seriously hate carrying the car seat. It is so bulky and awkward. I only do it to go in and out of the house. She stays asleep better on me, I can keep a close eye on her, and I'm less likely to get strangers try to touch her.

sooner1981 · November 2013

blondolphn said:
@sooner1981,

Sorry I was editing the response when you responded. I agree self-education is key. I am just second guessing some of the normal that people you normally trust say.

I also should trust my mom instincts morem

Oh, I was agreeing with you! Just saying how weird it is that people say that, when I have never heard of a high chair or car seat manual allowing for such use. It is just one of those things that people day so much, it seems like it must be true--just like people always saying that they "got the flu from the flu shot," even though that is impossible.

blondolphn · November 2013

@soooner1981,
its ok. I just know it is not uncommon for these types of threads to get flamed real quick.

i am actually more shocked at my own ignorance and the willingness to consider ideas just because other people do it.

taylormarie923 · November 2013

In all the restaurants I've worked at we have never allowed patrons to use a high chair this way, refusing their requests when they ask for one. I agree with Kimbo that it shouldn't be the responsibility of the staff to educate you, but it is their liability so that's why we were strict.

We also never placed slings in walkways. If someone came in with a carrier, they were sat at a table against a wall and the sling was placed on that side of the table so it would not be in danger of getting knocked over.

As for the comment about those things never being cleaned, they are cleaned after every single use. With how messy toddlers are, you would know pretty quick if the chair hadn't been cleaned since its last use.

babygiantquest · November 2013

As someone else who has worked in hospitality, please request a booth instead of putting your carrier in the floor. Having a server trip over your child is just as dangerous. It can be very hard to see around those enormous trays.

babygiantquest · November 2013

taylormarie923 said:

As for the comment about those things never being cleaned, they are cleaned after every single use. With how messy toddlers are, you would know pretty quick if the chair hadn't been cleaned since its last use.

This is not the policy of every restaurant. All three of the ones I've worked in (one a large national chain) didn't wipe off high chairs until the end of the day. Even then, it's a crap shoot as to whether they're really clean. "Wiping down" means "scrub clean" to some employees, but "just give it a half-ass wipe" to others. When I was lead hostess at one restaurant, I had to get on other hosts daily about how dumping the crumbs out didn't count as cleaning it.

Your safest bet? Buying a high chair cover. That's what I'll be doing.

ETA: Regardless of policy, when I was in charge of bussing a table, I scrubbed the hell out of that high chair. Still cleaned them all again before my shift ended. Not every person is going to be that fastidious, though, especially when it's busy and people are waiting for a table.

sfshorter · November 2013

I waited tables and bartended through college and I would never suggest putting your baby on the floor. I've seen too many plates, glasses and skillets dropped. God forbid any of that hit your baby.

babygiantquest · November 2013

@crunchymama11

Tennessean here, but I grew up calling them buggies, as well. Now I just call them buggies to drive my Californian husband nuts.

yesthisiskim0401 · November 2013

Booths and/or baby wearing FTW.

norbert5 · November 2013

All about the booth here too or 2nd best a table against a wall. Worse case scenario to me is a table in the middle of the room with no where to hide the baby.

I love baby wearing but not while I eat.

scamberlous3000 · November 2013

babygiantquest said:
@crunchymama11

Tennessean here, but I grew up calling them buggies, as well. Now I just call them buggies to drive my Californian husband nuts.

South Carolinian here and they are buggies to us as well!

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