If you wanted a bulkhead seat ahead of time, you should have requested one. When you're upgrading, you don't always get your choice of seats. I usually find bulkheads are available right up until the flight departs, as I try to avoid them whenever possible.

Sorry you got a bum seat due to the proximity of a kid, but if you really wanted to be as far as possible from coach, you really should try for the bulkhead as soon as your upgrade window opens and not assume any employees will switch with you once you discover that on this particular flight 5B is a louder than usual seat.

What would you have done if F was full with non-employees?

Also, I suggest investing in a pair of noise-canceling headphones. My pair are possibly the best $100 I've ever spent.