| As new parents, we'd like to have dinner out once in a | | | | - Whether or not you decide to avoid upper-echelon |
| while. Sometimes we'd like to include our young child, | | | | restaurants until your child is older, at least speak to the |
| but realize the importance of balancing our own needs | | | | restaurant to find out if they think it's appropriate to |
| with the needs of the restaurant and other diners. The | | | | bring a very young child. Some restaurants are able |
| last thing we want to do is ruin someone's special | | | | and willing to handle the needs of very young children |
| anniversary or birthday dinner with a cranky child. The | | | | and their parents better than others. |
| coordination required for dining out with a baby or | | | | - Dine early. In addition to receiving faster service, you'll |
| toddler can be challenging. Normal restaurant high | | | | avoid unnecessarily overburdening the staff or other |
| chairs put your child right up to the table. While crayons | | | | customers during the busy rush. |
| and paper provide a good distraction for a few | | | | - Be respectful of other diners and do not attempt to |
| minutes, they soon end up on the floor, followed by | | | | dine out with a tired or sick child. |
| utensils, condiments and sugar packets. All of this | | | | - Call ahead for a reservation and let them know you |
| testing of gravity typically occurs before the meal | | | | will be bringing a young child. |
| even arrives. | | | | - Phone in your order ahead of time if it's something |
| If you want to actually enjoy a meal out with your | | | | that takes a long time to prepare, like deep dish pizza. |
| baby or toddler, ask the restaurant if it's okay to bring | | | | - In addition to a disposable bib, bring along any |
| along your own portable high chair with tray. Assure | | | | necessary drinks in a sippy cup or bottle. |
| them that you will take the initiative to install the chair | | | | - Bring your child's favorite healthy snacks and a |
| and that it's a simple process that should take you less | | | | couple toys to put on tray before meal arrives. |
| than a minute. The key here is the tray, which puts a | | | | - Pick up items that "fall" from your child's tray. If a |
| buffer between your child and the main dining table. | | | | server beats you to it, thank them profusely. |
| The right portable high chair will offer the comfort and | | | | - If your child melts down, pay, tip and leave ASAP. |
| safety of a full size high chair and tray in a fraction of | | | | - Have travel wipes handy for quick tray cleanup after |
| the space. The portable high chair straps to a regular | | | | your meal. |
| dining chair, behind and underneath the chair, and does | | | | - Check for any belongings on floor underneath high |
| not take up much more space than the actual dining | | | | chair before you leave. |
| chair. Your baby or toddler will be comfortable in his | | | | - Bring a zip lock bag to quickly dispose of all baby |
| familiar padded chair, and the full size tray offers extra | | | | related garbage before leaving the restaurant. |
| space for snacks and toys to keep your child | | | | - Tip extra to accommodate for extra service or |
| occupied. While you still might end up with a couple | | | | clean up required at your table. |
| items making their way to the floor, at least the main | | | | With a little planning and respect for the restaurant and |
| dining table will stay intact. | | | | other customers, dining out with your baby or toddler |
| Following are some common sense tips for dining out | | | | at a mid-range restaurant can be an enjoyable |
| with your baby or toddler. | | | | experience. |