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.

Has your friend invited the baby?

I wouldn’t.

Depends what kind of restaurant

Pretty much this. My local pizza express has made a real push into the children's party market in recent years and Saturday day times look like carnage. I would be a bit of twat if I booked a table during that time and then started complain about kids running about and making noise. On the other hand I am a firm believer that some restaurants should remain adult only spaces. I have seen on more then a few occasions the 'we have just as much right to be here' parents barrel into an other wise calm relaxed room and proceed to pull out a single screen and do nothing as their kids fight over who gets to play the game.

Does your baby need to come? I would leave a baby at home rather than take them. And eating outside would be significantly safer.

I wouldn't. It doesn't seem safe enough for my comfort level yet.

I would go and breastfeed at table if need be, but if baby would not stop crying I would leave or DH or I would take it outside and push about till it fell asleep. Restraunts near is have spaced tables about 1.5 metres apart and paying by card only.

I think if you’re going to go and enjoy yourself and have fun go for it... if you’ll fee
Nervous in the run up and unsure when there I wouldn’t bother.

Personally, I wouldn’t as I know I would be worried before and then if something happened I didn’t like, like felt the tables weren’t 2m apart it would make me worried for a while after.

I would. I've been to several restaurants recently and staff have been very respectful and tables are set apart. Will you be bringing a pram? If so I'd try and leave baby in it.

Seems like most people would go so I'm going to see what else is there with outside seating and go from there.
He is only 16 months so am not feeling ready to leave him at home yet just to go for a meal even if it is with DP.

16 weeks*

@NotIncandescentWithRage

No there wasn't "more to this reply".

What more needs to be said?

Apart from all the health risk experts of course saying it's fine..

Why on earth can't you leave him with your DP, surely he'll be safer there? Would your DP be ok being apart from his baby for that amount of time?

16 weeks is probably a good age in that they’ll be past the very new born vulnerable bit but not trying to move. I’m much more weary now of taking my 16m old out as we haven’t done a restaurant with her since February and there is a high chance she’ll be a complete pain and wanting to have a wander about.

Personally if you've been going to supermarkets with baby, you'll be fine in a restaurant, better social distancing, cleaner etc.

As for taking your lo to restaurants, I've taken all three of mine since they were about 4 weeks old and I believe that is why I have never had a problem with them misbehaving in restaurants etc as to them it's normal to sit for a meal and not run round screaming and shouting and disturbing others, when they were younger I just used to take loads of colouring pads, books etc to keep them occupied.

Yes, it's fine to take a baby to a restaurant in normal circumstances. But no, I wouldn't even take myself out to a restaurant to meet a friend at the moment. Could you meet up at one of your houses or for a picnic instead?