When was the first time you took your newborn out to a restaurant?

DS is 2 months old and aside from going to the pediatrician or out for a walk or to my parents or DH's parents house, we have not taken him out much. DH's brother, wife & baby are coming for the weekend to MIL/FIL's house (they live out of state) and want to have dinner w/ DH and I Fri night. They had a baby the day before we did and want us both to take our babies to dinner. I really do not want to take DS, I think he is too young, I am returning to work next week and the last thing I need is to put DS at a higher risk to get sick - plus, I know this is a stupid question, but where would I keep DS in the restaurant? In his carseat? He is too small to sit in a high chair. I just think that it will be more hassle than it's worth. I just feel that his brother & wife are more easy going about their newborn, and that's fine, but that does not mean that everyone should feel the same. Plus, I had a rough pregnancy and delivery (DS is a twin to my other baby who passed after birth) so I'm a bit more overprotective of DS in addition to the typical new mom behavior.

Please share your thoughts, as I might be overreacting. I just don't want to feel pressured and MIL already offered to watch both babies so we can go out. Thanks.

Re: When was the first time you took your newborn out to a restaurant?

I think he was a week old or so....definately by 3 weeks.

You can flip over restaurant high chair and put the infant seat in that.

But if it makes you really uncomfortable, then they should respect that and let your MIL watch the babies, it probably would be more fun anyway

Re: When was the first time you took your newborn out to a restaurant?

Posted by KateDevine

But if it makes you really uncomfortable, then they should respect that and let your MIL watch the babies, it probably would be more fun anyway

Re: When was the first time you took your newborn out to a restaurant?

we started taking DS out to restaurants when he was 6 weeks. He is doing great with it. If he starts crying or becomes restless DH takes him outside for a minute or two, then he falls back asleep. he generally is really good. he loves to go out

we take him in the stroller and they usually just move a chair over to fit the stroller.

Message edited 10/12/2008 9:07:17 PM.

Re: When was the first time you took your newborn out to a restaurant?

I think it was about 3 months. I didn't take him out much at all before he was 2 months and had most of his first shots. Then, I wasn't really comfortable worrying about what to do if he started crying while we were out. DS never really slept a lot in the infant seat when it wasn't in a moving car and usually wanted out right away when we got home. Most of the time it is just DH and I, so I figured we would just leave if DS got fussy and for me, it wasn't worth the effort.

Then, I finally felt comfortable enough to do it but went well prepared - we went around the time he was due for a bottle and fed him while we waited for our food or while we were eating. We just kept him in the infant seat.

My son is 10 months old and I still prefer to eat out without him. We don't often get a chance to do it, but I am much more relaxed when I am not worrying about him.

Re: When was the first time you took your newborn out to a restaurant?

I took him out at about 4 weeks and left in in the carseat. It was fine. He slept most of the time. Just prepared for all of the annoying people commenting on "when my DS was a newborn the doctor said not to take him out in public for 3 months." Very annoying!

Re: When was the first time you took your newborn out to a restaurant?

I think he was about 2 weeks old

Re: When was the first time you took your newborn out to a restaurant?

3 weeks and I was told she would get a disease in a diner.

She is disease free.

Re: When was the first time you took your newborn out to a restaurant?

2 Weeks. She stayed in the infant carrier the whole time.

Re: When was the first time you took your newborn out to a restaurant?

They were about 6 weeks, it was Father's Day. We brought the snap and go and they slept through the meal.

Re: When was the first time you took your newborn out to a restaurant?

2 weeks after he was born.

Re: When was the first time you took your newborn out to a restaurant?

Paranoid mama here - 8 weeks per Dr.s orders... I was terrified she'd get sick and need a spinal tap! After 8 weeks the coast is clear for that.

We brought the infant carrier and the snap and go into the restaurant with us - no problem...

Re: When was the first time you took your newborn out to a restaurant?

2 weeks.

Re: When was the first time you took your newborn out to a restaurant?

I think at 2 weeks we were at an outdoor restaurant. By a month we were dining out regularly. She would sleep in the infant carrier.

I say get out now as much as you can. When you switch to the convertible car seat, they wake up so you can't lug them around everywhere. By a year old my DD was going to bed at 7:30pm and we didn't mess with that.

Re: When was the first time you took your newborn out to a restaurant?

Both kids were about 6 weeks before we took them out in public. As far as where to put the baby, as long as you have the infant seat that snaps out just bring that in with you and flip a high chair over.

I don't think you're overreacting. You need to do what's comfortable for you. I think you're fine at 8 weeks but again if you're not comfortable with it then don't do it.

Re: When was the first time you took your newborn out to a restaurant?

Erik was 8 days (it was my mom's bday), and I got scolded by a women in the parking lot. He stayed in his carseat the whole time and slept. No one came near him.

Don't remember with Ella - maybe 2 weeks? The sushi craving couldn't be resisted

Re: When was the first time you took your newborn out to a restaurant?

Geneveieve was a dream baby. We took her out to eat when she was about 3 weeks old.

And most people probably didnt even know we had a baby with us. She slept the entire time! We brought in her entire stroller, carseat and all, and the wait staff gave us a bigger table and removed the chairs next to me.

Re: When was the first time you took your newborn out to a restaurant?

Ryan was 5 weeks when we went to GTG at Houlihan's from LIF. And he was such an angel - slept the whole 5 hours.

Re: When was the first time you took your newborn out to a restaurant?

At about 2 weeks we were taking her out to eat. Still keeping her in the stroller/car seat and still pretty much not allowing anyone to SEE her much less get close to her.

She's 7weeks now and I still leave her in the stroller/car seat but Im less overprotective. I still won't let ppl touch her (of course) but at least now you can see her!

Re: When was the first time you took your newborn out to a restaurant?

2 weeks old. We left her in the carrier in the corner and no one even knew she was there.

Re: When was the first time you took your newborn out to a restaurant?

It was on St Patricks Day, so she was 11 weeks old.

Re: When was the first time you took your newborn out to a restaurant?

We took Jacob to a restaurant for the first time at 2 months.

Re: When was the first time you took your newborn out to a restaurant?

Don't let someone else make you feel guilty for wanting to leave your baby home. I am an overprotective parent and to be honest I am so sick and tired of people judging me and my parenting skills because I try to keep my son safe. Do what your gut tells you to do and if others have a problem with it - TOO BAD!

I think that the first time I brought my son to a restaurant he was around 12 weeks to answer your original question though. I have NEVER brought him to dinner though because there is no way he would sleep at that time and it would have been horrible for me.

Re: When was the first time you took your newborn out to a restaurant?

2 weeks - to Besito in Huntington!!!!

Mama needed a drink. BAD!

Re: When was the first time you took your newborn out to a restaurant?

She was 6 weeks old.