How to Deal With a Crying Child on an Airplane

We’ve all been there: You’re settling in for a long flight when all of a sudden a toddler or infant starts screaming at the top of her lungs. It’s a horrible situation for all involved, including, of course, the child’s parents, who are probably getting the stink eye the minute they set foot on the airplane with a little one in tow.

So what if you have the unfortunate luck of being near — or, worse, next to — a crying child on an airplane?

There’s not a whole lot you can do, though you should bring earplugs if you plan to sleep — or if you just don’t want to spend hours listening to crying and other shenanigans. Or, invest in a great pair of noise-canceling headphones, of which there are many on the market.

The one thing you shouldn’t do is give the parent the stink eye. They’re already having a hard time, and it’s best if you find it within yourself to be sympathetic. If you really want to be proactive, brush up on these tactics for keeping a baby happy on a flight or hope child-free flights are enacted sooner rather than later.