To take my own toddler food into a cafe?

[BoattoBolivia]

I went swimming with 3 other mums and toddlers today( between 1hr and 18 months) and we went to the leisure centre cafe afterwards for lunch. All of us ordered food for ourselves and hot drinks, spending nearly £40 altogether. We all had small pots of sandwiches/ salad/ yoghurts/ fruit for our dcs. When the first meal arrived, the waitress told us firmly that we were not allowed to feed our children our own sandwiches and yoghurts as we could buy them there. I qureried the quality, being a bit of a fussy mum about what I feed my ds, and she assured us that they could cater for any food issues. We firmly told her we would remember that for next time!
We were a bit annoyed as, although we recognise that they have the right to do this, it seems a bit mean spirited when you are talking about such a tiny amount of food.
I have a 9 yr old dd, and have fed her on many occasions( as a baby or toddler) in cafes with my own food, but would ALWAYS make the point of buying food for myself. Even if the cafe has a sign saying don't eat your own food no one has ever told me off, as long as I have bought something for myself.
We will be exercising our right to take our custom elsewhere in future, but AIBU to feel a bit miffed?

I don't bother taking food for 14 month old ds, but I don't buy him food either - I just share mine with him, sometimes even ask for a side plate for him to eat off if we're at a restaurant.

That's basically the same thing though isn't it? Taking up a highchair, making a mess, and not buying any extra food... No one has ever told me off though.

I had a slightly bizarre comment the other day. I was at an outdoor attraction with a cafe with 2 other adult family members and 3 children under 3. There were childrens' lunchboxes for £3.50 and the soup and sandwich type adult food were all about the £3 to £3.50 price.

The main meals which came with veg and potatoes were £7 so I decided to get a main meal for DS and I to share. I asked the lady if we could have mainly broccoli as our vegetable portion as I was sharing with a broccoli-obsessed 2 year-old. At which point the old lady in the queue behind me announced snootily that a 2 year-old should have his own meal.

The lady serving and I both did this face at each other and then both gave the old lady a "you are thoroughly weird" look. She then stood and tutted repeatedly while I was being served. I did wonder what the issue was - I was spending the same amount of money for one large meal rather than 2 small ones, and I was actually getting served quicker as only one meal needed to be dished up so I wasn't holding her up.

I think some people are so desperate to judge that they will come out with any old rubbish!

If a child is past the purees stage then YABU to take food with you food them. You either share your food with them or order them there own food.

Other than getting out rasins whilst waiting for food I havent taken things with me for DS since he was about 8 months old!

Cafes can be empty when a group of mums, buggies and picnics walk through the door but, what about when people then try to come in for lunch and cant get a table? I know OP was in a leisure centre (I wouldnt waste £40 in one to be honest, Ive never wanted to linger, its like going out for lunch in Wacky Warehouse) where theres probably masses of room but, it it was a cafe, restaurant then it is out of order. My friend is trying to make a living in Brighton with his cafe and it really does put punters off when they cant get a seat. It upsets my friend when he sees the mums then getting out full picnics from Waitrose or Jamie Olivers shop (it is Brighton!) to feed their toddlers and only ordering coffees for themselves.

My DCs are now 13 months and nearly 3, so I tend to buy a toddler meal (the cafe I normally eat in do a half portion of an adults meal as a toddler meal) or a small main meal between them, and I would also offer them some of mine. Like RitaMorgan I ask for a side plate for my toddler. I don't risk gettign one for my 13 month old as she would only throw it on the floor and break it!

Also to add that, I have taken my own food to our local leisure centre cafe for the DCs after they have been swimming. There is nothing healthy on the menu they can eat, and there is nowhere else to eat like a picnic area, and normally after a swim they are hungry and will tantrum if not given food ASAP. We are not the only ones though as I've seen many families do this there. I'm not even sure if it is a cafe though, more a viewing area with a food counter at one end. It has never occured to me that I should be buying chips their food for my DCs to eat.

I think if the cafe is otherwise empty, it's reasonable, but at busy times it isn't. Ds is now 3 but a fairly fussy eater, so I usually provide something I know he should eat, and always have a drink on me for him, but then buy him a juice and let him split a cake with me if he's eaten his lunch nicely.

A soft play cafe near me does good food for kids (ella baby food, bread sticks, little sarnies etc) and has a sign saying you're not allowed to bring own food or stay more than 2 hours - but we only enforce this at busy times. Fair enough I think.

kungfupannda At which point the old lady in the queue behind me announced snootily that a 2 year-old should have his own meal.

Sounds like she just wanted something to judge someone about. Stupid cow.