How to take a 1 year old to a restaurant?

[2020newmum]

My DS will be 12 months old by the time our local restaurants and pubs reopen. How on earth do you take a baby that age to a restaurant for lunch? We’ve only been a few times before and he was very little so just napped in his pram.

I assume I’ll definitely need to go somewhere where they have high chairs and time it so our lunch coincides with his regular meal time and he eats with us.

At the moment he has home-cooked food for every meal - I could take a tub along in a cool bag but how would I heat it up? Or can he have restaurant food by that age - but what if they don’t have a children’s menu?

Should I take his own bowl and spoon or do restaurants have those for babies?

Should I also take wipes in case he drops loads of food on the floor?

What else do I need to consider?

Just turned one is a nice age for it tbh - just bring a couple of toys that they don't usually see, I always had a stash in the nappy bag that only came out in cafes. If they're really restless, resort to cartoons on a phone - its the only time DD got given my phone so it used to instantly hypnotise her! Food wise give them a bit of yours or feed before you go and give easy snacks - homemade crackers or cheese twists, chopped fruit, little finger sandwiches etc. Defo wouldnt bother with a children's menu. And make the most of it because by 2 its much harder! And doesnt really go back to being enjoyable until they're about 3 unless you have an especially sensible child (we've had one very good one and 3 pains in the ass so far!)

I think it depends on the child. I took my 1 year old for dinner once (for a friend's birthday) and I didn't get to eat, just ran around the restaurant after him. He refused to sit in the high chair, chucked food around. It was a total waste of my time!

I tried again when he was 2 and it was much nicer as he was easily distracted by his cars and a sticker book.

We take our daughters suction plate, cup and cutlery.
We also take a bag with some little toys that don't make any sound and some crayons and paper.
Go round about the same time she has her meals.

I had a little bag with bibs, plastic bowl, spoon & fork, napkins and toys/books in. I used to take a little lunchbox with bits in and then share my lunch too. DS loves chips! We usually stick to chain places where we can get in and out quickly. I'd avoid going when your DC is tired, that is just asking for a disaster!

So many good tips, thanks everyone!

@2020newmum

My DS will be 12 months old by the time our local restaurants and pubs reopen. How on earth do you take a baby that age to a restaurant for lunch? We’ve only been a few times before and he was very little so just napped in his pram.

I assume I’ll definitely need to go somewhere where they have high chairs and time it so our lunch coincides with his regular meal time and he eats with us.

At the moment he has home-cooked food for every meal - I could take a tub along in a cool bag but how would I heat it up? Or can he have restaurant food by that age - but what if they don’t have a children’s menu?

Should I take his own bowl and spoon or do restaurants have those for babies?

Should I also take wipes in case he drops loads of food on the floor?

What else do I need to consider?

I could take a tub along in a cool bag but how would I heat it up? At that age, I used to take salad pocky foods and if a full day out, a homemade puree and warm in hot water from a flask. When I went on holiday at 13 months, I took along Ella pouches as well, for convenience.

Or can he have restaurant food by that age - but what if they don’t have a children’s menu?
A waste of money to consider. Plus they will be very salty.
I would offer finger foods from my plate, but not own meal.

Should I take his own bowl and spoon or do restaurants have those for babies?
I always have done. Mainly for ease and hygiene reasons.

Should I also take wipes in case he drops loads of food on the floor?
I recommend those large muslin squares from IKEA and definitely clean up dropped foods.

What else do I need to consider?
Sometimes it was better to have timed restaurant meals with nap times, then feed when they wake and you're further through the meal. Have toys and entertainment for lo. Some restaurants don't have reins on the highchairs that I find too dangerous and would use my own. Some are also wooden and quite hard if your baby thrusts their head back, so may want something to cushion that area.

Go early, go to somewhere that will have some food on the table super quickly (even if its just breadsticks), and either share off your plate or order a starter for them or an extra side dish to make the adults food go further.
Don't think you'll get a full three course and wine meal - choose somewhere you can be in and out of efficiently, ask to be seated away from others, always clean up as much as you can, and I used to ask for a dustpan and brush with the bill. A favourite when ds was tiny was Yo Sushi as there was no waiting at all and we could share everything

Eve always taken the dc out for meals. Pick somewhere where the for food doesn’t take forever to come, take a few small quiet distraction toys/books and snacks to bring out one at a time, let him eat bits from your plates, he won’t need his own meal, most places will happily bring a plate for you to pop bits on.

Oh yes and clean up as much as possible if he gets messy.

We used to go to our local Italian cafe for brunch every weekend when DD was one. She loved sitting in her high chair and smiling at everyone. She was also obsessed with high fiving her favourite waiters over and over. She usually had some scrambled eggs and toast to eat.

I really miss those pre-pandemic days!

I met my hugely respected, very empathetic and respectful, top boss in a corridor in a National Trust property as we were heading to the cafe and he was heading away with his wife and two grandchildren aged around 5 and 7ish.

I mentioned hoping for the corner window table but he said in a jokey way 'You might need to sit somewhere else - we've left a bit of a mess'.

Not a joke at all. In the midst of the otherwise tidy cafe, their table had masses of food and rubbish all over it and over the floor below and around. Sandwich crusts, spilt drinks, packaging. There appeared to have been zero attempt to clear anything up. They had just walked away leaving it all for the poor staff.

I must say I viewed mý boss differently after that, so I am very pleased to hear you are thinking ahead OP.

In contrast, at another cafe shortly before the first lockdown, as the dad lifted their toddler out of her highchair and wiped her and the chair down, the mum whipped out a dustpan and brush and gave the floor a quick going over. Impressive, and I bet they would be welcomed back.

We took DS out to eat lots at that age. My basic rules were, toy he loves, book he loves, asking for bread to be brought as soon as we got there so there was something on the table for him/ or taking a little snack. And not putting him in the high chair until the very last second as his food arrived. Generally it’s been absolutely fine!

He’s 2 now though so I’m pretty sure when we next get to go out it’ll be a whole new kettle of fish!

I always clean up after him around the table too.

Agree with go early! I always just gave DS some of my food.

Be prepared for one course only -my son was very energetic and one course was all that was manageable!

I would also say, be prepared to have to rush and go fairly quickly. Some babies are happy in restaurants, some.....aren't! DS was a bit of a nightmare between 1 and 2 as he just wanted to be off everywhere and would be nosiy - shouting, banging on the table etc. It was not a relaxing experience. Weirdly, cafes at lunch seemed to suit better.

Don't beat yourself up if it goes pear shaped -it won't be like that forever. My son is 7 now and for the last few years we have been able to go out and actually enjoy it with him. He sits down, enjoys chatting with us, will do his wordsearches and can eat his meal with minimal/no assistance!

Lots of kids' menus are pretty good we found- vegetables sticks, fruit for pudding, that kind of thing. Well worth browsing the menu online before taking your own food (unless you prefer that). We always took a couple of toys, a book and if it's summer sit outside so there's plenty to look at / can possibly toddle around and doesn't matter as much about noise. Definitely plan for one course but see how you go. Can't wait to take my youngest when lockdown is finally over! Planning for a pub lunch outside in the sun (hopefully). The dream!

Here’s something that’ll make you smile - I work in a nursery and as part of one of our topics we took 13 two year olds to eat at our local Italian, believe it or not they were perfect!
Definitely consider your timing so baby isn’t tired or starving, take lots of distractions (don’t expect to have many calm chit chats where child will sit peacefully), take some breadsticks and veg sticks for if it’s a long wait and then just give them some bits off your plate

You are overthinking this, sorry

Go somewhere with high chairs. Order something for yourself they can have a bit of. Take wipes and a sippy cup for water. Hand them a chip and enjoy your lunch.

My youngest will also be just over 1... I can't wait not to have to cook every meal we eat 😂. You can order off the menu (but fine to take snacks usually in addition) - sides and starters are great, take a plate and sippy cup, wipes - many, many wipes -, things to entertain in the high chair, pushchair or carrier in case they want to sleep, did I mention wipes?

The floor will be a disaster. Definitely clear it up and tip well.

And remember it will all be much worse when they hit the Terrible twos 😂 ......

Oh and travel pack of antibacterial wipes to clean the high chair and the table.... I realise that's a bit obsessive of me but there is a pandemic on !

We started with Toby Carvery due to it being easy to sit, eat, drink and leave in a good time frame before DS was bored.

However so far we have managed pub food, tapas and Italian too.
We usually ask for a side plate and so far have been accommodating so DS has just had bits of our meals such as pasta, chicken, Veggies and Sunday lunch.

I usually take a little bag with usual nappies, wipes, hand gel so add raisens and melty sticks in case he gets hungry before food arrives. Also a few small toys (figures or dinosaurs keep him entertained usually).

I always wipe down the tray/table with wipes if he makes a mess and pick up any obvious bits of food. Oh and I put the dirty wipes in a nappy sack and bin them/take away as Dsis worked in a pub as a teen and said the worst part was moving sticky or snotty wipes and tissues or chewed food