Mommy Magic: Soothing Techniques That Work

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Baby felt cozy and safe during those nine months in your belly. Which is why he also loves it when you cuddle and swaddle him. What's more, "during pregnancy, babies experience a lot of motion as their moms walk and move around," Jones says. "Unless your baby is in pain, hungry, or easily overstimulated, motion can usually help him stop crying."

Try this: Cuddling and holding your baby can provide the same close, cradled feeling your little one had in utero. Add a gentle massage with a little baby oil and you may find the solution you were looking for, Dr. Tolcher says.

Swaddling, which means that you wrap your baby tightly in a blanket, can reap the same results. First off, it can prevent a crying spell. But it can also keep a minor crying spell from turning into hysterics. "The more frantically a baby cries, the harder it is for him to turn it down," Jones explains. "Confining his body can help the baby recompose himself."

Some parents swear by basic activities like carrying your baby in a soft front carrier or taking him for a drive in the car. Others find more creative ways to mellow their babies. Judy Hudson, a mother of three who lives in New York City, would sit on an exercise ball and bounce while singing. "The song wasn't as important as the bouncing motion, which did wonders for my twins," she says. And of course, a baby swing or vibrating seat can soothe too.