How To Survive Flights Next To Babies

There are any number of guides to travelling with your own baby on long-haul flights, but what about when you’re seated next to a crying baby?

Instead of losing your head, here’s how you can help.

So you got seated next to a crying baby or a restless child? Instead of losing your head, here’s how you can help.

Have a relaxed attitude

It’s normal that a wailing baby or a tantrum-prone toddler can get on other passengers’ nerves. However, it is an adult’s responsibility to control their own emotions; flying is stressful enough for families without fellow travelers’ passing judgment.

Adults shouldn’t let the annoyance get the better of them. Remember that babies aren’t crying to annoy you and parents don’t enjoy their kids yelling any more than you do. Letting your impatience show will only stress the family out more and create an uncomfortable atmosphere.

Prepare your mind and your music device

Instead of getting irked, you can take it as a given that you might be sharing space with children and their parents on a plane.
Children are a natural part of life, and families have the same right to travel as everyone else. You can prepare your mind to be accepting of kids’ presence and pick some soothing music to listen to on your headphones to drown out extra noise.

Lend a hand when you can

Besides keeping your negative reactions at bay, you can also be supportive and help out when you see a parent struggling.
Even small gestures can mean the world, especially when a parent is travelling alone with many children. You can, for instance, help by carrying extra things or chat with an older child while the parent feeds the baby.

Remember empathy

On some occasions it is reasonable to comment on the behaviour of children. If the kids are older, and it seems like the parents don’t notice them behaving badly – kicking the front seat for instance. It’s okay to comment in a friendly way.