How to Take a Baby or Toddler to a Restaurant

Choose family friendly restaurants. Upscale restaurants often do not have the accommodations for babies, nor the kid-friendly food that toddlers will like. You're also not likely to find your fellow patrons sympathetic to a crying child when they're paying for a high-end meal and ambiance. You can find family friendly restaurants for nearly every food category, from Italian to Mexican. These restaurants typically have changing tables in the restrooms, booster seats and high chairs, paper children's menus kids can color on with smaller portions of food and food options your child will recognize.

Avoid the busiest restaurant hours. When a restaurant is packed, things are almost always more chaotic, the food takes longer to arrive and the noise level can make it hard to have a pleasant experience, especially with noise-sensitive infants. To avoid the crowds if your family is going out for breakfast, go when they first open, before noon for lunch and before 6 p.m. for dinner. In a less crowded restaurant you can also take the time to walk around with your toddler and explore the decor or other cool features the restaurant may have.

Study the menu ahead of time. If you know your baby or toddler won't make it through a long meal service, knowing what you want to order ahead of time will make the process go much faster. You can order as soon as the waiter comes to your table. Ask for the bill when the food arrives so you can also pay quickly without having to look for your server later.

Take a small toy or plan an activity to keep your toddler in his seat. If your curious toddler likes to run around rather than stay in his seat at a restaurant, take a special toy that will keep his attention, such as a book, a toy car or a plush toy of some sort. You can also play simple games like challenging your toddler to spot specific decorations in the restaurant or looking through the food pictures on the menu to find certain food items.

Feed your baby while you wait for your food. It will be difficult to enjoy your meal if your baby is hungry, crying and trying to grab what's on your plate. Have a warm bottle or baby food ready in the diaper bag so that as soon as you order, you can feed your little one. Getting fed may put your baby to sleep so you can enjoy your meal or at least satiate her enough that she will sit in her high chair or stroller without fussing.