I think that many European carriers do an excellent job with families. I have said here many times that I still see family boarding (whether one agrees with it or not, it happens). What US carrier gives out age-appropriate toys/items to infants, toddlers, children, and tweens? What US carrier hands out chocolate bars on boarding and/or on deplaning? What US carrier hands out granola bars or gummi bears on boarding and/or on deplaning?

So long as one doesn't expect the FA to feed the baby, or to be able to change the diaper on a seat, I still think that the experience tends to be better than sometimes painted here.

There are always however exceptions, such as the car seat issue above. (I do wonder however if that is due to certain rules, such as the US carriers have about a certain sticker on car seats? Not defending the carrier, just curious?)