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Aug 10, 2019 • 3 min read
“I recently took my 6 month old baby on a long haul flight. She was mainly very good but did cry a couple of times and I got some dirty looks from other passengers. My friend said I should have bought them a drink to apologise or created care packages to hand out beforehand. Was I in the wrong? What’s the normal etiquette?”
iBestTravel’s family travel expert Imogen Hall has travelled extensively with her kids. While she will always choose the train over a plane, all three of her children (now 11, 9, and 5) flew within the first six months of their lives.
Taking Your Baby on a Long-Haul Flight: A Rewarding Experience
Firstly, well done you for taking your baby on a long-haul flight to explore somewhere new to her. You’ve done something many people shy away from. Although she may be too little to remember the details when she’s older, the experiences gained now are crucial. These experiences lay strong foundations for a love of travel as they get older.
Navigating the Challenges of Flying with Infants
So, how tricky is it to travel with infants? The answer is: quite. Babies are small, have specific needs, and use crying as their primary means of communication. It’s naturally stressful to keep them calm in public settings, especially in confined areas where they encounter pressure changes, loud noises, and limited movement. Unfortunately, when fellow passengers start to express discontent with mere glances, it’s easy to wish to be anywhere else.
Balancing Courtesy and Reality
But should you say sorry for your crying baby? It truly depends on how much of a disturbance your baby has made. A couple of cries absolutely do not justify apologizing with drinks for fellow passengers, and creating care packages may not be necessary either. While a few candies and ear plugs might be thoughtful gestures, the best approach is to remain calm, smile at other passengers, and offer a polite ‘sorry’ if needed. Most reasonable people will understand if they see that you are trying to manage the situation.
In the event you’re faced with an incessantly crying baby for a long duration, it’s natural to feel an apology is warranted; however, by that point you are often so preoccupied with your child’s needs that concerns about fellow passengers take a backseat.
Understanding the Perspective of Fellow Travelers
Ultimately, while you might never appease the more irritable passengers, most of those aboard will likely regard your baby as just a temporary, minor irritant, especially before the in-flight entertainment begins. It’s essential to remind oneself that all fellow travelers were once children, and even if they didn’t fly as infants, they undoubtedly made noise on various forms of public transport at some point in their lives.
Essential Travel Etiquette with Babies
When it comes to travel etiquette, it remains consistent whether you have babies or older children. Being in a public space means that demonstrating tolerance and respect toward others is paramount. It’s important to acknowledge if your child’s behavior affects those around you. While your baby is certainly a part of the travel dynamic, you must do your best to minimize any disruption.
In summary, practice understanding, keep smiling, remain calm, but do not apologize for having a baby.
