Appropriate age group:
Infants
Toddlers

Description:
An enjoyable dining experience will very much depend on how cooperative your child is during the excursion. In order to ensure that there is more dining than whining, you should always consider your child's disposition first. Avoid restaurants that you know will be agitating to your child. For example, while many babies and toddlers thrive in an environment with lots of activity, others can become overstimulated by loud noises. No matter what your child's temperament, always try to venture out when your child is well-rested. Whenever possible, try to avoid going out just before your baby is due for a nap. An overtired child will have a hard time enjoying the excursion, no matter what his age.

Other comments or suggestions:
When dining out with toddlers who can eat table food, it's best to plan on arriving at the restaurant about a half hour before your child is due to eat. This should give you time to be seated and order, the idea being that hopefully your child won't have to eat later than usual. Keep in mind that no matter what your child's age, you'll have to plan on dining on his schedule, not yours.