Some churches have crying rooms for babies, and perhaps parents with a very fussy child should use that room. But when our children were little, we found they behaved a lot better when we went right up to the front of the church rather than stay in the crying room.
Some parishes also have childcare services offered during Mass. The ushers should welcome families with children and let them know what services are available.
Pope Francis himself has said, “Children cry, they are noisy, they don’t stop moving. But it really irritates me when I see a child crying in church and someone says they must go out. God’s voice is in a child’s tears: they must never be kicked out of church.”
I think we need to stop and put ourselves in the role of parents with babies. Sometimes it’s a struggle for them just to get to church. The fact that these parents make the effort should be praised and encouraged.
If their baby cries during Mass, we hope the parents will try to settle the baby down if possible — or take them out briefly.
But I encourage people not to frown at them. Instead, smile and think to yourself, “Thank God for crying babies!”
Wouldn’t Jesus himself welcome them and their parents? Let’s do no less than he would.