Babies (and toddlers) are lot more cute in photographs than they are in person.
Yep, mom gets to pick and choose, if it was just randomly taken shots they would tell a different story.
Personally I like sitting next to babies in their carriers, so long as it’s to my right. I’m deaf in that ear and I can hog the armrest without guilt.
I had one kicking the back of my seat non-stop on a 3 hr flight. Not pleasant.
OTOH I once got seated next to an adorable Chinese infant being brought to the US. Then another Chinese infant appeared. They were both adorable and I figured they would sleep for most of the trans-con flight. Lucky me - the very nice flight attendant told me to get my things. I figured I was being moved to the back of steerage. No way - she took me to first class. It pays not to complain. Actually I think the FA wanted to give the two women/babies an empty middle seat.
And are more quiet and smell better. Sort of like dogs.