10 Tips and Tricks for Eating Out with Babies 

How to stress less about dining-out 

Feb. 23, 2022

Baby led weaning bib by Bibbrella

Eating out with your little one can become a monumental task filled with highchair obstacles, saucy messes, and embarrassingly loud wails. Sometimes, it feels like the hassle of prepping and cooking beats the chaos of taking a baby out to dinner. But all parents need and deserve a break from the kitchen every now and then! 

So, how exactly can a parent make dining out a pleasant experience for all? Read on for tips and suggestions on making eating out–with child in tow–more fun and less stressful.

Eat at a Family Friendly Restaurant

- Check the menu beforehand to see if the restaurant has a kid’s menu and/or if there are any meal options that are suitable for your baby. While you’re at it, think about what you might want to order once you’re there to minimize the wait time between sitting down and getting your food. 

- Select a place that has a moderate amount of noise. You don’t want to be the one with a screaming baby in a quiet restaurant, but you also don’t want so much commotion that your child is riled up by the environment. 

- It can be a good idea to call and check if the restaurant will have highchairs available, if you need one. Don’t forget to take your Bibbrella bib along with you, which accommodates highchair straps! 

Come Prepared

Being prepared is key to a stress-free night out. Having the right items not only reduces the stress of dealing with spills and other accidents, it lets you actually enjoy the company you’re with and your break from cooking. 

- Have backup snacks ready so that you have something to offer your child if they don’t take to the restaurant’s options. This minimizes the potential for fussy behavior and the likelihood that you’ll have to give up on the meal entirely.  

- Bring a full-coverage bib to help contain messes. Full-length bibs reduce the chances of ruined clothes and having to deal with changing your baby. Plus, a full-length bib like Bibbrella means less distractions for you so that you can actually enjoy the conversation and people around you.

- Anticipate messes. Depending on your child, wipes may not be enough. A sippy cup, bowl, and utensils are important too, if you have a babe who thinks throwing things at dinnertime is a fun idea. If you don’t have a full-coverage bib handy, bring an extra set of clothes. 

Keep Your Baby Happy

- Bread is your friend. Granted, bread isn’t the most nutritious food out there, but it can go a long way in keeping your baby distracted while you look over the menu or wait for the food to arrive. As a bland and relatively safe but chewy food, it literally gives babies something to chew on so that you can carry a convo like a normal human adult. 

- Bring a quiet toy for in-between moments. Adults may forget how much “downtime” is involved in eating out. We’re busy chatting away or reading a drool-worthy menu, but the minutes spent waiting for the server, ordering food, and anticipating the food can seem endless for a baby. 

- Leave quickly after finishing unless your baby seems comfortable. Otherwise, it’s a good idea to pack up and head out before the little one has a chance to get cranky. If you notice your child getting crankier by the minute, ask for the check before you finish eating so that you can hightail it outta there ASAP. 

- Finally, enjoy your time out! It’s nearly impossible for a baby to relax if you’re stressing out right along with them. It’s okay if a celery stalk is used as a straw or if mac and cheese becomes a cheesy dip for breadsticks. A night out should be fun, not full of rules and restrictions. Just throw a full-coverage bib on your babe and enjoy time away from the stove!