Aha, you hadn't mentioned you were a man...in that case you're bound to be inundated with offers of help, and generally encounter a more sympathetic attitude. That's certainly been my husband's experience.
As regards other passengers, the most important thing to get them on-side and to minimise tutting is to look like you're trying your best - what tends to enrage people is when kids are playing up and the parents don't seem to care.