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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask at what age it stops being ok to take own food into a pub/ restaurant for toddler?

97 replies

WinkyisbackontheButterBeer · 11/01/2018 16:37

Just wondering really. At what age would you say that you have to buy your toddler a meal, rather than take something for them?

OP posts:
TheQueenOfWands · 11/01/2018 16:39

No idea.

DS was always good at cracking on and eating whatever was there, I was lucky.

I have cousins who are pushing 30 and rake lunchboxes to restaurants. They just refuse to try food. Amazingly they seem to get away with it.

Grumpbum · 11/01/2018 16:41

About 3 I think

Greensleeves · 11/01/2018 16:44

I did it until they were about 7 or 8 in some pubs/restaurants, because I didn't like what was on offer for kids/it didn't suit my kids' proclivities. DS1 has AS and had some very particular ideas about what constituted a balanced meal. I just used to say he had big, scary allergies. Soon got rid of any disapproving staff.

goose1964 · 11/01/2018 16:46

My kids always ate what was on offer when we took them out for a meal.My 11 month old grandson usually share what we are having, although he will soon be eating children's meals

BarbarianMum · 11/01/2018 16:48

I think 18-24 months unless there is a particular reason (food allergies, asd) to continue. And even then you should ask.

RainbowPastel · 11/01/2018 16:48

It's never ok. Apart from milk in a bottle.

chocolateiamydrug · 11/01/2018 16:49

Other than when my DC where breastfed, I never took anything into a restaurant. When they were still very little, they always had something off our plate but from 2.5ish we always ordered something small for them.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 11/01/2018 16:49

I never did. There is a!ways something they can eat.

That1950sMum · 11/01/2018 16:49

I'd say as soon as they are on solid food. I remember just ordering some toast or veg when they were very little.

IHaveBrilloHair · 11/01/2018 16:50

2 max uNess there's a particular need

Me264 · 11/01/2018 16:51

Personally I think from whenever they’re no longer on purees/pouches, or if BLW then whenever they’re eating more than a few bites. For my DS (traditionally weaned) that was when he was about 10/11 months? Children’s meals are so cheap in most restaurants, I think it’s very cheeky to bring your own. They can always share some of yours if they won’t eat a whole meal. As for worrying about salt content etc - how often do people eat out with their kids?? For us it’s certainly no more than once a week, generally less, so one higher salt meal is not going to do any harm.

Pengggwn · 11/01/2018 16:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

OuchBollocks · 11/01/2018 16:51

Teeny snacks to stop them whining are fine when they are babies but I reckon past 18 months or so even that's a no go.

IHaveBrilloHair · 11/01/2018 16:51

Tbh though, I just shared mine, perhaps with a side for her that was plain and easy to pick up, chips, plain veg, bread etc

Greensleeves · 11/01/2018 16:52

Sadly, no there isn't "always something they can eat". Some parents wouldn't be able to eat out if they didn't take their dc's food.

shushpenfold · 11/01/2018 16:53

Under a year I would say....baby with baby food is fine but much older and it’s startinvto take the pee I think.

Sirzy · 11/01/2018 16:53

I never did. Just let him share some of mine or ordered a jacket potato or side of beans or something for him.

WorraLiberty · 11/01/2018 16:53

I think it depends on the restaurant and what they have on offer for kids.

I used to ask for a really small meal for mine from about the age of 12 months, but 9 times out of 10 the staff would ask if I'd prefer a side plate, so I could share a bit of mine.

We always left a bigger tip in places like that.

thebumblebearbee · 11/01/2018 16:53

18-24 months. Even then most parents I've noticed don't bring food and tend to ask for plain bread/plain mash. I would question bringing in food for an 8 year old.

BarbaraofSevillle · 11/01/2018 16:54

Older than about 2. As soon as they are on solids, you can ask for a side plate for them and feed them from whatever you and any other adults willing to share are eating if you don't think they will eat their own portion.

Most restaurant portions are so massive that there's usually too much food anyway.

RowenasDiadem · 11/01/2018 16:54

Only thing I ever took was milk or puréed baby food when they were first starting solids. Other than that I bought food from the restaurant. General rule for me was if they take up a seat they are customers.

apostropheuse · 11/01/2018 16:55

As soon as they're old enough to eat proper food, rather than pureed baby type food.

laurzj82 · 11/01/2018 16:55

Taking your own: a year unless allergies or something.

Sharing yours: 3 unless there is a reason.

With mine I will just order something small or snacky if they don't do kids meals

ClaryFray · 11/01/2018 16:57

I just shared mine, up until he was around 2. But I'd order extra chips to compensate so I suppose technically he ate something.

Now occasionally, he'll have some off mine. Or we'll order a sharing platter. He's 8, but has a bowel condition that effects how much he can eat.

Greensleeves · 11/01/2018 16:57

You'd be free to question it bumblebearbee, but I's wonder why you didn't have better things to do.

My particular 8yo had very rigid food behaviours and lunch time at Wetherspoons on a Saturday wasn't the right time to go cold turkey. Nobody was harmed during the consumption of his carefully balanced meal, and plenty of money was spent by the rest of the family.

Live and let live fgs