What's the etiquette on taking a baby to a dinner party?

We've been invited to dinner at my hubby's colleague's place. There are 3 other couples coming - two have kids. I don't know if they're bringing their kids.

When we asked, the host said it was okay to bring out baby, who is only 7 months old. We accepted the invite. But what's the etiquette?

Do you think it's okay to take a play pen and put baby in it? Or is that too much? What do you recommend?

(I'm not comfortable leaving baby with a sitter at this age). Asked by tweety22412 47 months ago Similar questions: etiquette taking baby dinner party Lifestyle > Etiquette.

Similar questions: etiquette taking baby dinner party.

This may not be a popular response but.... .....I don't think you should have asked the hostess if it is OK to bring the baby. What was she supposed to say...? "No. "?

Really? It is a dinner for adults. I have two toddlers and have had to sit out many a night out with them.

That is just part of the deal----and I have done it happily. And a colleague no less--not a friend or relative. What an awkward position for the host/hostess.

I totally understand you not being comfortable leaving your baby w/ a sitter. I am the same way. And that is why I stay at home.

Soon enough you may feel OK leaving your child w/ a friend who also has a toddler--for a couple of hours....to go out for nights like this..... I think that it is definitely overstepping taking a playpen. Your babe might sleep the entire time. Or not.

I don't think it is fair for you to impose your baby on people who might not have kids or might want an adult night out. .....Just trying to give you my honest opinon. Best wishes..

Here is my opinion.... I would never leave my children with an unrelated babysitter, only family were trusted. The first reason... that I would leave my children home, is that not everyone is fond of children, and if this couple does not have children, it may be out of their league. When a baby is around, people cannot be themselves.. socializing has interruptions with care, such as babies requiring attention, burping, feeding, entertaining and changing.

They can become stinky, wet, loud, obnoxious, cranky, funny and demanding. Do these colleague’s have animals? Or children?

Are they clean? I would research a little about these people, before I bring my baby into that environment. If it’s only adults attending, I would keep it as that!

These people haven’t met your baby yet... If the baby was introduced, then I could give a different answer... by saying bring the baby and have fun! Maybe.. I should tell you what happened to me.. I was invited to a dinner social and birthday party for my husbands boss. I didn’t want to ask my parents to babysit, so I called the hostess and asked if the my infant son could attend.

The invite was extended, and I was happy as could be... I brought the baby through the door, the smell of smoke was very strong, the dogs were jumping on him, and then the other guests...who wanted a night out without their children, made me feel bad for bringing him, with little snide comments that could be taken either way. My son started crying. The noise was overwhelming, and the kid came off as a brat.

He whined for me to hold him, and he wanted to get out of the playpen, and chase the animals around. I felt funny the entire time... and I would have made different choices, if I could turn back time. I would have had more fun, if my son was left with a family member.

The guests were watching their tongues, they were trying to be quiet and polite, until the liquor was introduced... the host/hostess were smokers (they went outside) but, the party was controlled because of the baby. I could sense it! Sometimes, it’s nice to just get away without your baby, and share some quality time alone with your hubby and it gives you both a break.It’s an ideal practice to do, as it keeps your relationship exciting!

It’s not about who is gonna take care of the baby. It’s about having an opportunity to communicate with other adults and have dinner without caring for the baby the entire time. I had to entertain my son that night, as he was not himself.. so it took me away from conversations, playing games and the dinner.

I was entertaining my son and being watched by everyone. Never again! I found out later on that this couple didn’t want children, as they are too independent.

You asked if the baby could go and the host said yes.. bring the baby. You need to bring the following things.... A portable playpen, or swing, toys, things to occupy and comfort, a diaper bag full of everything that you will need to change diapers, bottles and and yes a pack-n-play would be great. I would feed the baby before you arrive, this way you are not the center of attention.

I placed my playpen in the loving room, and I could still keep an eye on him. Are the other children going to be there? I would call the host and ask.

This way you have an idea.. of what you should do, and it helps you plan the event. Have Fun, and Good Luck! Sources: Nuttys Mind!

~Nutty~'s Recommendations Graco: Pack 'N Play Playard - Wave Average Customer Rating: 5.0 out of 5 (based on 1 reviews) .

I think the host is being very nice and hoping for the best Think about it. 5 couples coming together to have a nice grown up party. For the couples with children this is going to be a treat.

When kids are around their requirements become the focus. Will your baby go to sleep at 7 and stay asleep until 11. More likely the baby will fuss and need changing and feeding and you will be popping up like a jack-in-the-box.

You will be interrupting the hostess’ dinner plans and distracting from her carefully planned meal. Then you will be arriving with a playpen and a bag of equipment which you will pack up when going home Do they have a room to devote to the baby. It can’t be where the guests are going to take their coats or next to the bathroom or the baby might be disturbed, but it has to be close to the public area so you can hear.

If the baby is fussy the party may wind down early as you pack up to head home. I understand about the 1st time with a babysitter. We didn’t have one for 6 months and then it was grandma.

I think to be fair you have to get a sitter or send your regrets. If there are no grandparents or siblings close by you might find out if there is a sitting service or community college with an employment office in your area. I wouldn,t get a 16 yo for a baby unless it's a relative.It might be expensive but by now you know babies cost more per pound than adults do.

The play pen is too much. We've had people over with their kids -of all ages- during parties. We're pretty casual about a lot of things, and I've always thought of parties as all-ages events.

If they've told you to bring the baby then I wouldn't second guess that part at all. The reason the play pen is too much is that you don't know what the space considerations are where you're going. It sounds like 5 couples and maybe some other kids and maybe not.So, dinner for 10?

12? 14? If it's a dinner party, the host and hostess are already trying to seat and feed that many people.

Where is the play pen going to be during dinner? In the kitchen? In the den maybe with other kids that shouldn't be left alone?

It just seems like it could be awkward. It's asking a lot of the hosts to figure out the logistics of yet another thing. If you and your husband trade off holding and watching the baby you should be fine without an big bulky play pen.

If the baby makes a disturbance one of you can walk outside or in the other room with the baby for a while, and it doesn't have to stop the festivities. We had friends that did this with their son, and he was a very well-behaved and happy child. They didn't stress or over-tax him or anybody else, and in time he even got better at being social.

So it required less work on their part the second time than the first, and he got along for longer. So, I'd be ready to leave if you need to, but if you're relaxed about it the baby's more likely to be, too. This couple didn't bring half of his room with him, either.

A quiet toy and something to snack on if your baby needs it, and all should be good. By that age mine would do well with a soft bath book and a teething cracker for a long time. I hope this helps.

Take care, Cyndy .

Call your host and ask about the play pen I don’t think there is a really politically correct answer to your question. If you don’t want your baby to be with a sitter, I think you could ask your host about the play pen. If they are happy to have you for dinner, Iam sure they will tell you how they feel about the play pen.

I’m sure if they asked you and 3 other couples, that there is plenty of room. You, of course, know your bably. If your baby is generally OK and happy in the play pen, I am sure all will enjoy seeing your baby.

However, if your baby is unhappy in the play pen and will spend the evening fretting, you may want to think twice - for, if you are uncomfortable asking about the play pen, you will be more uncomfortable having to get up and down many times to console your baby. I’d also ask if your baby has been in someone else’s house in the play pen? If not, you may be in for an uncomfortable surprise.So, if your baby is comfortable in company and in the play pen, I’d say bring your baby and have a good time.

If not, I’d think twice about it because a crying baby is hard for everyone, and for you in particular. I’m sure your hosts will understand if your baby would be miserable. And, if your baby is unwell on that day, you need to stay home.

P.S. I understand about the baby sitter. Good luck making the right decision .

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