This topic comes up every now and then.
- Sometimes planes don't have changing tables. Some parents may be able to figure out changing a baby in a lavatory without a changing table, but others may not.
- Sometimes passengers are not allowed to get out of their seats for extended periods. And if a baby poops, that needs to be addressed ASAP. (With my boys, within 5-15 minutes, they could get open sores if they did not get changed.) In this case, a parent may have no choice but to try and take care of things while seated. You can bet they are as unhappy about that as those around them may be. Here's a scenario that comes to mind: When flying into NYC or DC, one must stay seated for the final 30 minutes before landing, no ifs ands or buts. And if you attempt to get up, the flight attendants are not going to be accommodating, no matter the circumstance.
- Sometimes passengers are simply not familiar with proper air travel etiquette. We're all learning.
So the takeaway in all of these instances is:
- When we're in the sardine can in the sky, it's temporary. And we can all handle just about anything for a short amount of time. So with all the things that are temporarily uncomfortable, the best thing is to try and relax, think about something else. Fragrant flowers, perhaps.
- All parents have their hands full when taking care of an infant. They're all trying to do the best they can. I doubt there are any people who are maliciously unleashing their child's diaper fumes for other passengers' displeasure. They either can't do things differently or don't know how to. But it's temporary. So just hang in there, and it'll be over.
- You are riding in the sky traveling hundreds of miles per hour. 95% of humanity will probably never be able to do what you're doing. You are incredibly fortunate to even be be on an airplane -- much less traveling in FC. The humans on the ground below you may be just trying to figure out the one meal they can manage to rustle up for tomorrow. Or maybe they're on their 12th hour of work for a grand total of $2 that day.
So it's all a matter of perspective. We may not be able to control a baby's bodily functions or the response that the parents take, but we can control our perspective.