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Original poster

Baby in restaurant etiquette.

305 replies

YicketyYackMamasBack · 06/02/2020 10:14

Me and DP would like to go out for a meal for Valentine’s Day, and we would like to take DD.
We haven’t been out for food with her yet as I had a c section and she is only 5 weeks old at the moment. But we have been for short walks, trips round shops and into costa for a coffee.

She’s very content, not very fussy at all.. although that could well change in the next couple of weeks. Hopefully she’s still like this for Valentine’s Day as it would be really nice to take her out but I wouldn’t want to burden anyone else’s meal with a screaming baby.

My main concern is how we actually take her? I’ll double check with wherever we book they allow children and explain we have a newborn.
But do we take the whole pram in, and just leave her in the pram to sleep, or do we just take the car seat in and put her on a chair in the car seat?

I’m a first time mum and I’m terrified of looking like an idiot, so any advice would be much appreciated 🙈

OP posts:
Mammyloveswine · 08/02/2020 08:45

I ate out all the time with ds1! Newborns are no bother! I breastfed tho so often just had him attached to the boob whilst I ate and enjoyed a glass of wine (oooh the judgey looks off some)

If I were you I'd go around 4 so it's quieter and you don't look at just couples.

If you have a sling take that! Or the car seat is fine, I used to put ds on the fooor in his though not a chair in case it fell off.

Enjoy!

GreenTulips · 08/02/2020 08:59

It’s our Valentine’s Day too. I shouldn’t have to worry about other people’s plans. Each to their own. I’m prepared for tuts and eye rolls, as I’m sure there is bound to be someone much like most of the posters here, miserable

So you don’t care about others plans, but they are miserable if they object to yours. Right.

DragonMamma · 08/02/2020 09:07

All joking aside. I adore reading posts from people like the OP. I find them fascinating and completely eye opening as to how self absorbed people can be when they’ve just had a baby.

I’m laughing at how sleeping at home in the evening guarantees the baby will sleep through a busy pub and clattering cutlery...I would just like to think that at the first sound of baby noise that the Op or her DH leave sharpish.

I also they remember this when their DD is a teen and they are desperate for a child free evening Wink

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AudacityOfHope · 08/02/2020 09:12

😂😂😂😂😂

Letsallscreamatthesistene · 08/02/2020 09:21

Ive read through this entire thread because I genuinely wanted others perceptions on taking a newborn out to dinner, as im due with my first soon.

Ive been in restaurants where ive been hemmed in by a pram and it pissed me off. I really hope I retain some kind of perspective of what thats like after the birth.

I came for that info, I stayed for the OPs replies. 'Valentines day for religious reasons was a highlight'.

Cherrysoup · 08/02/2020 09:22

This reply has been deleted

Post references deleted post Talk Guidelines.

AudacityOfHope · 08/02/2020 09:32

I so want a link to beans and chips lady!

Lovewinemorethanhusband · 08/02/2020 09:41

I'd take her with you in her pram, if your not going to a 5 Michelin star restaurant and happy to walk around if she starts crying then I don't see a problem with it, I took my 4 month old when we went for a valentines meal when I had my first baby as wasn't prepared to leave him but didn't see why we should miss out just because i have a baby

ScarlettBlaize · 08/02/2020 09:56

@Lovewinemorethanhusband happy to walk around if she starts crying then I don't see a problem with it

Delightful for everyone having their special dinner as OP walks around getting in the way of the waiters, shoving past people's tables with a yowling newborn.

didn't see why we should miss out just because i have a baby

And there you have it. We could have just started and finished with this and not bothered with the 283 intervening posts.

Just like the OP, Lovewinemorethanhusband only gives a shit about herself.

Cornettoninja · 08/02/2020 10:03

didn't see why we should miss out just because i have a baby

I disagree with this statement though. That’s part of parenting, if you haven’t got childcare for whatever reason then you do have to miss out sometimes rather than expecting situations to be bent to fit you rather than the majority. It’s very rare to have to miss out on a once in a lifetime opportunity because you have dc and Valentine’s Day isn’t that - there’ll be more!

I still think the OP would be better going another night with her baby. I wouldn’t object to a baby in a restaurant per se (I’ve done it enough myself) but don’t think it’s a good night to take out small children in general. If you’re in any way bothered by the judgement of strangers I don’t know why you’d do it to yourself.

ProseccoSupernova · 08/02/2020 10:11

“and happy to walk around if she starts crying then I don't see a problem with it”

Ooh yes please keep walking past my table with your crying baby, sounds like the perfect ambience for a romantic meal for TWO. Hmm

Emilizz34 · 08/02/2020 10:23

Congratulations on your new arrival. It wouldn’t bother me to see a baby in a restaurant provided the baby wasn’t crying constantly.
However you sound like a considerate person who wouldn’t let that happen. I wouldn’t put the car seat on a chair as it may not fit securely . A pram may not fit around the table unless you get a corner one. Do you have a sling or would that interfere with you eating?
Hope you have a lovely evening.

GhoulWithADragonTattoo · 08/02/2020 10:53

Wow - I hope you don't ruin other people's dinner...

YouJustDoYou · 08/02/2020 10:56

Mine was a screamer who hated being still /woulsnt nap for more than 20 minutes so I couldn't go to even a cafe for the first 2 years or so. We just went for a walk and had a meal at home for our first valentines.

Iminaglasscaseofemotion · 08/02/2020 11:01

What I find fascinating, is the fact the OP has been confined to her house for 6 solid weeks, and will only be able to emerge on the 14th of February.

NumbersStation · 08/02/2020 11:24

Fascinating but not entirely surprising.

I would posit the notion that they don’t get much invites out due to the attitude Wink

too busy handing one off into a sock in the back bedroom

GreenTulips · 08/02/2020 11:52

..... wondering if OP will be sat next to someone else’s screaming toddler ....

ProclivitiesMcManus · 08/02/2020 12:33

I'd say babies are not appropriate in restaurants generally, certainly not on valentine's night.

Grumpelstilskin · 08/02/2020 13:11

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ReginaGeorgeous · 08/02/2020 18:39

I don't think I have ever wanted a baby to projectile vomit all over its mother in the middle of a packed public place before.

BitchyArriver · 08/02/2020 18:52

OP, I work in a restaurant and if someone left a booking note to say they would be bringing a pram on Valentines Day that would be no problem with us.

We would look at the table plan and select the best possible table arrangement for you. When it’s quiet we try to not use the table next door to a pram to give more room, but obviously we can’t do that on a valentines Friday night. However, we would still do our absolute best to make space for your DC.

Remember as well most restaurants are booked with a majority of tables of 2, so we would have given you one of the tables of 4 and removed the extra chairs to make space for the pram.

It’s not rocket science! And seriously, surely parents want to go out on Valentine’s Day as well!!!!

BitchyArriver · 08/02/2020 19:00

OMG I can’t believe some of these responses! On NYE last year we had an enquiry for a family, asking about kids prices. Some of the managers thought we ‘shouldn’t encourage’ kids on NYE but I said we should take the booking and just explain the price would have to be the same for kids and adults. Which I thought was fair enough considering the staffing costs for the night.

Well the family came, had an amazing time, the kids ate scallops and steaks and extra puds, they left a huge tip and reviewed us very favourable on social media.

WTF is everyone’s problem with kids at dinner! I say this being child free myself.

They are people too! Just smaller ones Smile

ScarlettBlaize · 08/02/2020 20:38

WTF is everyone’s problem with kids at dinner! I say this being child free myself. They are people too! Just smaller ones smile

So you think it's OK for 'people' in a restaurant to cry, scream, shit/piss themselves, burp, vomit, take up space and not order any food or drink?

Because - and I say this as you describe yourself as 'child free' - you may not be aware that this is what babies do.

AudacityOfHope · 09/02/2020 00:13

Ok bitchy but wtf does your comment have to do with anything? Do you honestly think the OP is going to pay an adult price for their newborn to sit in their pram?

PixieDustt · 09/02/2020 00:38

How dare you leave the house and go eat in a restaurant when you have a baby! Hmm.

Of course you can go get dinner! I'd say take the pram as they shouldn't be in their car seat for too long. I'm sure the OP wouldn't just let her baby cry and disturb other people.

Children in restaurants do not bother me.

Fgs, sick of seeing people preach and pretend their the perfect mother. MN's is full of them!