For babies travelling on its long-distance services, BOAC [a predecessor of today’s British Airways] provided hammock-type “skycots”.
These allowed the infant plenty of room for movement, but prevented him or her from falling out. Suitable for those up to a year or so old, these cots were clamped securely to the luggage rack, allowing the infant (and no doubt its parents) to sleep in safety and comfort.
For take-off and landing, though, the child had to be held by one of its parents; a practice which continues today.
Seems the right time to pipe up with a joke about not putting oversized items in the overhead storage compartments…