How to Comfort a Crying Baby 
by Susan Biasella, RN, BSN, LCCE, FACCE
(source : www.ivillage.com)

All babies cry. And at about two weeks of age, it is common for babies to develop a fussy period in the evening that can last for as long as two hours.
If your baby becomes fussy, what will you do? Try some of the following techniques, or perhaps a combination of them, to soothe your baby. As you offer comfort, pay attention to what your baby is trying to tell you. Through trial and error, and with loving patience, you'll soon discover together which soothing methods work best. Here are some techniques to try:

New Positions
- Hold your baby facedown over your forearm with his head at your elbow and your thumb and fingers wrapped around his thigh. 
- Hold your baby seated in your hand with his back to your chest and your other hand across his chest, wrapping your thumb and fingers around his upper arm.
- Hold your baby high over your shoulder so his stomach is being pressed into your shoulder bone. 
- Cradle your baby in your arms, holding him tummy-to-tummy tightly against you.

Rhythmic Motion 
Babies are most comforted at a pace of 60 times each minute, so try these methods:

- Walking around.
- Rocking vertically by doing deep-knee bends.
- Swaying side to side or back and forth while standing up.
- Rocking back and forth in a comfortable rocking chair.

Warmth
- Swaddle your baby tightly in a receiving blanket.
- Hold your baby close to you so she can receive your warmth.
- Put a heating pad in your baby's sleep area to warm the sheets before putting her down.
- Take out the heating pad and check the temperature of the sheets to be sure they're comfortably warm.
- Lay your baby facedown over a wrapped hot-water bottle on your lap.

Soothing Sounds
- Speak reassuring words in a soft, low voice.
- Hum and sing familiar songs you enjoy.
- Make a tape recording of a dishwasher, washing machine, vacuum cleaner or clothes dryer to let your baby hear repeated swooshing sounds. A fan or humidifier in the baby's room can sometimes do the trick, as can a radio tuned to the static between stations.
- Play classical, new age, soft rock or soft jazz music. No heavy metal, please! It makes babies nervous.