I took a plane with my two-month-old baby, who sobbed all the time. My neighbor didn’t like it, so he did something all of a sudden.
I had to take my two-month-old son on the airline that day. We were flying together to my husband, who was in a different city. I had no friends or family around, so I had no additional support. The six-hour flight seemed to go on forever.
That day, my normally quiet and peaceful infant became agitated, perhaps due to the stress, the commotion, or just plain exhaustion. He wept a lot and had trouble falling asleep, and I did everything I could to keep from crying with him.
I couldn’t even consider eating healthily when the flight attendant brought the food. The entire time, including feeding, changing his diaper, and trying to put him to sleep, the baby was in my arms.
I do this every day. I have no complaints. This time, however, I was seated next to a man in a suit who was obviously on a crucial business trip. He threw us sidelong glances, sighed excessively, appeared exhausted and agitated, and murmured to himself. I was becoming bad and worse. Even just looking at him made me feel bad. I could tell he was on the verge of shouting at me.
I waited until the man turned to face me and said something that momentarily stunned me.
— Pass the baby to me. I’ll hold him while you try to sleep.
I was taken aback.
I’m sorry, I appreciate it, but it’s not required. I apologize for bothering you.
“It’s alright,” he said. I work as a doctor. a doctor of children. At home, I have two. I am aware of the situation. Particularly for such young infants, flying can be rather stressful. Don’t be afraid, please.
I gave my son to him gently. The man calmly and confidently grasped him. For the first time in a long time, the baby stopped wailing and fell asleep in his arms.
I slept for about an hour after closing my eyes. It was my favorite time of day.
After that, we didn’t talk much. However, as the aircraft started to descend, he returned my son to me with gentleness and said:
— You are an extremely resilient mother. Never question that.
And they are phrases I will never forget.
