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{Grabbing a coffee at Cafe de la via with 4 month old Theo}
We make sure to choose restaurants that are baby-friendly and by that I mean spacious, not too packed and casual. We save the fancier spots for date nights sans-bébé. If we decide to eat somewhere that is trendy, we opt to eat right when the restaurant opens (between 5-6pm) to avoid line-ups and crowds. The problem with happenin' eating spots is that they usually don't have high chairs. This wasn't a problem when Theo was a newborn because we just timed our outings with nap or bed time and he would just sleep in his car seat the entire time.
{At Big in Japan with 3 month old Theo}
{Eating al fresco at Chinoiseries et Dumplings with 6 month old Theo}
{Sitting on dad's lap at ArHoMa}
Now, however, Theo is very mobile and a high chair is a must. I make sure I'm always prepared in case high chairs are not available by carrying around two very important items in my purse: My Little Seat and the Kiddopotamus Tiny Diner Placemat. They are so portable, easy to clean and fit on almost every chair and table. I love having these in my bag because I know that I can always meet up with a friend for a coffee or meal and I don't have to worry about the place being baby-friendly. If the chair's seat is too low, I often ask if they have a phone book on hand and they are usually very happy to help me out. You would be surprised how many people still have phone books!
My Little Seat is a fabric seat that slips over the back of a chair with ties to fasten it to the back. It also has clip straps to make sure that your little one is well-fastened to the chair. It rolls right up into a little fabric bag so it's very easy to throw into a diaper bag or purse. The best part is that its machine-washable. I am frequently annoyed that I did not come up with this invention myself. Kudos to the inventor.
// Do you have any good tips for dining out with a little one?
10 comments:
That seat is brilliant! Thanks for posting about this. I'm due with our first in June, but I have thought about this scenario because one thing we love about where we live is the ability to walk into downtown and go out to all the fabulous restaurants. Good to know that during the first few months, it will be easy and then afterwards there are good options to make things possible!
I picked up disposable place mats from the store, but I like the idea of having one that can be reused. Currently we have the Inglesina table chair, which I keep in a slim bag, but despite the bulk, it's a lifesaver. It puts him at just the right height at restaurants and is more comfortable than a restaurant high chair.
You are so much braver than me! At 4 months old, I have still yet to bring Zac to a public restaurant... mostly because I'm terrified that he'll scream and cry the whole time. Clearly I need to toughen up and just take the plunge!
That little seat thing looks great.
I don't even have a baby yet, but you made me want to buy these! :)
@Lady Grey: I completely understand. The first time Theo cried in a restaurant I froze but Mike toke him in his arms and walked outside for a little bit and it was far from the end of the world. I really recommend giving it a shot, I bet you'll be pleasantly surprised! Good luck! xo
We use the tiny diner as well and love it. :) I sometimes bring our little one's plate and spoon/fork, because I'm afraid that she will smash the restaurant plate. :) The seat looks great, haven't seen it before, thanks for posting.
Nous n'avons jamais cessé d'aller au restaurant non plus depuis que nous avons les enfants. Entre l'âge de 6 mois et 1 ans et demi j'ai par contre souvent trouvé ça plus difficile comme ils ne mangent pas toujours n'importe quoi. Nos spots de prédilections avec les enfants sont: la Taqueria Mex sur Saint Laurent, l'Anecdote sur Rachel, Mali dans Parc Ex (du riz, du pain naan et du poulet au beurre pour les enfants, on se réserve le plus piquant. L'été dernier nous avons profité avec grand plaisir des caravanes sur l'Esplanade du Stade Olympique tous les 1ers vendredis du mois (les enfants ont adoré et on se promet de remettre ça dès que possible). La prochaine fois que tu viendras "trifter" dans Hochelaga Maisonneuve tu essairas le brunch chez les Affamés rue Sainte Catherine (enfants bienvenus) Ça fera changement du Ahroma (je j'aime beaucoup aussi!). Merci de partager tes spots accessibles aux enfants avec nous.
We also have that chair (or another one just like it), it was great while you could keep the kid in it, but now with a three-year-old, it's impossible to keep her in a chair. She runs, throws things, screams, and (her newest thing), threatens to pee her pants in public if we don't give her what she wants.
This often leads to us having to leave a restaurant with a crying kid tucked under my arm because I must always be ready to follow through with the 'If you don't behave, we're going home' threat.
We've discovered that we can easily do breakfast or brunch somewhere and the kids are relatively calm, but dinner is a nightmare. It's their witching hour and hard to manage even at home, nevermind in public.
@Karine @Isabelle: Thanks for sharing your tips! Good stuff! - Meve xo
That chair is genius - thanks for sharing! We haven't dined out very often with our 8-month-old (like you, I always get all worked up about nothing!), but I'm trying to do little coffee dates with him to make it less daunting. :)
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