Just because you’re a mom doesn’t mean you can’t go out and try delicious food at restaurants just like the old days! But with a baby in tow, you might just need to change up your routines. Here are some tips on how to be a foodie and to successfully enjoy an evening out with the hubby or girl friends even after you have a baby!
Not only do these tips help you maintain your baby’s daily schedule, but they also will help you save money and stay on budget.
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How to be a foodie even after baby
Go out early
Long gone are the days when you head out for dinner and drinks after 8 p.m. (To be honest, I’m not sure I ever ate that late!)
Now that baby is here, if you want to keep going out to eat and experiencing new restaurants, head out the door at an early hour!
Not only will going out early help with bed time routine, it will also help you catch the happy hour! Plus you’ll have time to catch up on your favorite Netflix episode when you get home. #priorities #adulting
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Look for Happy Hour Prices
The best new restaurants to try are the ones with happy hour. Not only will the restaurants be less crowded, but you’ll also have better prices. Babies are already expensive enough!
Save money and enjoy a drink and share an appetizer for a fun early date.
Check the menu online first
Before heading to the restaurant, do yourself a favor and pull up the menu online. Checking the menu online will not only help you decide quickly what you want to eat, but help you check out what might be “baby” friendly.
Request a table in the corner
If you have a choice, we always enjoyed sitting in a booth and in the corner. We were out of the way if we had carseat/stroller/diaper bags in tow.
Plus, you won’t be the center of attention if your baby starts crying or making a mess.
Order fast
If you know you’re getting close to bedtime, order quickly! This won’t be an issue though because you checked the menu online before getting to the restaurant.
Your waiter will be impressed.
Pack something to distract
When Little One was little we packed the iPad for the restaurant (I have to admit!) Now, Little One and Little Two are completely fine with coloring at the table.
Either way, if your baby is old enough to eat puffs, then I recommend bringing along a few for while you wait. They will entertain your baby but they won’t fill them up!
Bonus tip: you can serve the puffs in one of these suction spillproof toddler bowls that can’t be thrown on the ground! And with your Milk Snob 5-1 nursing cover, you will have a quick high chair cover too.
Share your food
This one is hard for me! I LOVE food. And seriously, I don’t like sharing. But, in the name of saving money, I shared food with my babies rather than ordering them their own food. They just didn’t eat enough!
Plus, by sharing with your kids you help develop their young palates so hopefully they won’t be a picky eater later on.
If you’re looking for a book on breaking a picky eater habit, my favorite one is French Kids Eat Everything, that I recommend along with 7 of my other favorite mom books to read!
Ask for the check quickly
Once you do have your food, don’t forget to ask for the check early. You know how it is, when a restaurant is really busy sometimes the waiter can take a little longer.
Unfortunately, we’ve waited too long before and our kiddos were having meltdowns by the time we paid. We waited just a little too long to ask for the check. Learn from us!
Leave a good tip
Ever looked at the floor after a baby eats? Well, if you’re not there yet, you will be. Babies drop LOTS of stuff on the floor and make a mess on the table.
Support your waiter and leave a nice tip if your kids make an extra mess. Even if not, it’s nice to be generous to someone who served you food instead of you having to cook at home!
Cook from home
If the above tips don’t convince you that you can go out to eat with a baby, then I recommend becoming a foodie cook at home!
Here are some of the Top 25 Foodie Mom Blogs with their recipes, tips, and more. Not only will you save money, but you’ll learn a new skill and teach your kids how to enjoy new foods from home!