In Defense of the Woman with the Crying Baby on Your Flight

Having just rather recently flown somewhere, I can tell you the experience is lovely.
Having just flown somewhere with people on board the plane, I can tell you it's not always as lovely as it could be.
Pity.

But there's this one scenario everyone's heard of and everyone acts as if it's the most rude thing a person could do.
Yep: the crying baby.

Now, let me be clear. When I say "crying baby", I'm not talking about the family who wants to be friends with their three year old who's having a tantrum instead of parents. I'm talking about an infant who is crying because that's sort of 90% of the job description for babies.

First off, anyone who's flown knows that your ears pop, rather uncomfortably.
We adults know how to kinda deal with this.
But has it ever occurred to anyone that the baby's ears are popping too? I mean, that must freak the poor thing out.

Secondly, I've been led to believe babies have a pretty amazing sense of smell, and they're stuck in a metal tube full of weird-smelling people. (That's not a put-down to the masses, that's a fact: I'm pretty sure anyone who doesn't smell like Mommy smells weird.)

And finally, it's loud. No, maybe not for people who have driven extensively and used to loud noises, but for people who aren't (read: babies), engines and turbines are terrifying. Especially if you have the pleasure/misfortune to be seated like, right on the wing.

So, next time you're on a plane and there's some woman trying to coax the infant to sleep, give her a little grace. Don't glare at her, don't complain to your friend/seat mates loud enough for her to hear.
Just put in your earbuds and fall asleep like an adult.

After all, that's what the baby wishes they could be doing, anyway.