Most parents know all too well the disgruntled stares, even angry comments, directed at them by other passengers while flying with a child, when tears are unfortunately inevitable.
After yet another person complaining about a flight from hell thanks to a “demonic child,” some people are suggesting their should an option for childless flights in the future – but is this really the answer?
Where will the line be drawn? Child-free cafes and parks?
Suggestions like this are harmful and only serve to cause new parents more stress.
Where will the line be drawn? Child-free cafes and parks?
Well, one Sydney mum has taken matters into her own hands to make those often hellish flights more bearable by designing a clever product that could save A LOT of grief.
Speaking to news.com.au, high school teacher Emma Lovell said she first came up with the idea after having to fly to the UK to visit her sick mum with her young baby.
“I think the worst thing is the fear of what other people are going to think — that takes over from the concern of why your baby’s crying in the first place,” she said.
“You’re trying to comfort the baby but you’re mostly worried about the huffing and puffing from people who A, have no children, B, have left their kids at home, or C, have grown-up children and have completely forgotten how hard it is to travel with a baby.
“So many people are very judgmental and there’s very few of those looks that are sympathetic. It’s mostly glares from people that seem to say, ‘Feed it, or kill it’.”
“So many people are very judgmental and there’s very few of those looks that are sympathetic.”
Emma says her daughter is actually a good traveler, but the travel cots airlines provide have to sit near high traffic areas on the plane, such as near the toilets or food prep areas, so the disruptions are endless for the poor bubs.
“I used to do all these things, rigging up sheets and blankets with tape to cover her, and they’d start to work and then fail miserably,” she said.
And so was born Fly Babee, a foldable, lightweight canopy device that attaches to airline bassinettes to help block out distractions.
“It provides a really lovely, cosy dome that blocks out 97 per cent of light and it’s 100 per cent breathable and air permeate — it essentially allows air to flow as if it wasn’t there. It’s got a rainbow opening so you can get baby in without taking it off, plenty of kick space and a little peephole to check up on them,” Emma explains.
“There’s also a little pocket inside for your iPad or phone so you can play lullabies or whatever you use at home. It’s just a really simple fix to a really common problem.”
The product, which costs $99.95 to purchase, has been approved for use on some Qantas (economy and premium economy on B747 and A380 aircrafts, plus economy on the A330 aircrafts) and Virgin Australia (A330 and B777) flights.
