AIBU to take baby to a restaurant?

[Babyvibe]

Friend of mine wants to go for a meal next week at a restaurant. I haven't decided whether to go or not yet as I have a baby who will be 16 weeks on Friday. I'm a bit worried how 'socially distanced' they are actually being in restaurants and don't want to put my baby in any harm. Also a bit unsure on how acceptable it is to take a baby to a restaurant anyway as it is my first and we have not been anywhere yet except supermarkets, parks, walks around where we live etc. I feel a bit out of it tbh as I'm still very much being cautious about being around people other than my family because my baby is so young but when I go out or drive anywhere life just looks back to normal- people out and about in groups at restaurants and bars. Is it worth going? I'm not overly fussed if I don't go to be honest but friend really wants to go and thinks it'll be okay.

Depends what kind of restaurant.

It's an Italian casual restaurant, it's quite big so I'm sure they'd be able to have seating not too close together. We'd be going on a weekday around 5pm so hopefully not too many people.

Nope. Not a chance I would take a baby into a restaurant these days.

Get carry-out and eat It somewhere safer.

Personally I wouldn't in the current situation, but if we weren't in a pandemic and it was a casual restaurant then I'd have no issues taking a baby because if they became inconsolable then I'd step out and if need be cut the meal short.

It would probably be fine
Go and enjoy yourself

I wouldn't either

Thanks for the reply's, she's convinced it's safe out now as people are socially distancing even in restaurants but I'm not too sure about this from what I've seen myself

Personally, I wouldn’t. I don’t trust other people and obviously you can’t wear a mask in a restaurant. I’d not be comfortable from a COVID perspective for me or baby.

Can you scope the place out before you go? I have a 13weeker and if I wasn’t too sure before going how it was spaced out and how safe they were making things, I’d bail.

I've taken babies to restaurants and breastfed at tables. A casual restaurant it would be fine. I wouldn't take a baby to an expensive restaurant. People would probably tsk at you.

I went to a restaurant a couple of weeks ago (UK) and it was lovely. No masks/visors, no perspex. Nice staff, good food. It was all really normal except for the temperature taking at the door. Of course it will be fine. It might help to remember that most people don't have the virus and you'll be sitting away from others anyway.

I mean I would without a second thought. I've been to a restaurant with my 2yo and 4yo recently and it was fine. Restaurants don't want to get in trouble so are being careful. I also work in a restaurant and we have very strict changes in place and are following the guidelines completely, but it is a big chain restaurant so not sure about independents.

If you're nervous, does it have outdoor seating you could use? If you can stay outside and your baby will stay in their pram that might help?
DH and I went to a zizzis the other day and they were quite distanced, disposable menus, the staff constantly hand sanitising, putting food/drink/cutlery down on the far side of the table and then we reached for it ourselves when they left, card machine sanitised as soon as I handed it back to them etc. The tables had been separated out and we thought it was fine.
Don't do it if you're not comfortable though.

COVID-19 (novel coronavirus)

I wouldn’t personally no.
Pre pandemic I took mine everywhere, now we only do outside things.

In all honesty the risk is not to your baby but to you; and even then the risk is low. Personally I’m not quite there to go with my baby but it’s up to you. If you do go I’d make sure you let the restaurant know you’ll have a pram so they can manage that with social distancing

@Meredithgrey1 The restaurant doesn't have outdoor seating but that's a better idea I might suggest going somewhere else that has it if I decide to go.

@GinDaddyRedux

COVID-19 (novel coronavirus)

Was there more to this reply??

I would go, baby will be fine. However if you believe you will just sit there and worry then there is absolutely no point of going anywhere

An Italian restaurant at 5 pm is fine for a baby. As for the covid side I'd prefer to eat outside personally.

Yes I absolutely would. In fact I'm doing just that on Friday. Mine is older though. Your baby will not be touching anything as they'll be too young for a highchair and will be in their pram or in your arms. The risk is very very low.

I absolutely would but if it makes you nervous enough that you wouldn't enjoy it anyway then it's absolutely legitimate to say that you don't feel comfortable.

I've taken my 11 week old for a few meals recently and it's been absolutely fine. I keep her in her pram and away from other people. She was born during lockdown so she needs to start getting used to new surroundings. Not once have I ever felt she's at risk more than me taking her to the supermarket.

I wouldn’t mind taking my 26 week old if I knew the tables are properly spaced etc maybe you could ring ahead and ask for a table in a corner with the least amount of footfall ?? If this is going to be our new normal for however long it takes to get back to our old normal babies are going to have to be brought out to socialise to some degree . I have a two year old and that is the reason I can’t get out as she is used to talking to everyone and touching everything . She is finding it difficult to understand why she can’t do these things anymore .

I would, certainly to a casual dining restaurant which is geared up for family dining. I am also fairly relaxed about the virus situation.

However, if you will be anxious, either because of the risk or because of the impact on fellow diners, (or both), you are unlikely to enjoy yourself. So on that basis, I'd politely decline or suggest an alternative.

I wouldn't even think twice about it, go and enjoy.