THE DILEMMA OF DINING WITH KIDS

Should babies be allowed at restaurants? Nontando Mposo says yes, Nathan Adams says no

AT JUST 4 mont, my son Sipho is a foodie in training. He started restaurant hopping at 6 weeks, visiting some of the coolest eateries in Cape Town. From scenic wine farms to chic bistros in the CBD… he has covered a lot of restaurant ground.

So far, each of the restaurants we have been to has been welcoming. Accommodating when we ask for a quiet table with a cushioned bench, so we can put him down when he falls asleep. And also when we ask for a bowl of warm water so we can heat up his bottled milk for a feed.

For the most part, his father and I will take turns holding him so we can each comfortably eat our meal. Sometimes, his dad will eat with him on his chest, strapped in a baby carrier and other times, when he is fussy or irritable, I will eat with one hand while I hold him in my other arm.

During my maternity leave, these trips to eat provided a much-needed break from being at home alone with Sipho.

Feeding off the energy of other adults, I would feel like I was part of society again. And seated opposite each other, my partner and I could have a normal conversation without any distractions.

Lucky for us, Sipho is a quiet baby, and during our outings there has never been an outburst. We usually time the outings to be after his afternoon nap and feed so that he will be less irritable and calm.

We haven’t been to a dinner yet with him because his routine includes bath time at 7pm and bedtime at 9pm. For date night, we leave him at home with a babysitter.

However, some parents are not so lucky and their babies or toddlers are not as calm as Sipho. We have witnessed screaming episodes and tantrums.

When you are child-free, its understandable that a crying baby can be annoying at a restaurant, just as they can be during a flight. You do deserve to enjoy your meal in peace.

I used to be annoyed by toddlers staring at me, pulling at my hair while at a restaurant – until now. Now I am more sympathetic, after all, what are parents supposed to do?

Are we supposed to ban all parents from eating out until their children turn 18, or ask them to only visit Spur and Wimpy? I think not. Maybe the parents had arranged a babysitter who ended up cancelling on them at the last minute.

The next time there is crying baby or a staring toddler at a restaurant you are in, send an encouraging smile to the parents, they are probably sleep deprived, tired, hungry and just as frustrated as you are.

Like you, they are there to have a good meal away from home.