Soothing the Sobs

Though you can't stop her crying entirely, you can learn how to soothe your infant and teach her to soothe herself. In the early weeks, the two best tools are your baby's own hands. Newborns derive great comfort from sucking on something, whether it's their thumb, fingers, or entire fist.

Parents can encourage a newborn to console herself with her hands, says Maureen R. Keefe, R.N., Ph.D., a nursing professor at the University of Utah College of Nursing, in Salt Lake City. The first step is to avoid clothes with fabric pouches over the hands, which prevent your infant from feeling the sensation of her lips against her hand. And it's best to keep your baby's hands free when you swaddle her in a blanket. She'll discover them soon enough. If she doesn't seem interested, try a pacifier.

Babies can also be soothed by visual stimulation: light coming through the window, a rotating ceiling fan, a glimpse of herself in a mirror. Or try calming sounds: running water, radio static, soft lullabies. Be careful not to combine strategies or to move quickly from one to the next. Your baby could end up overstimulated and even more upset.

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