You can't spoil your newborn by holding him too much.
A study by Dr Ronald G Barr of Montreal Children's Hospital Research Institute, showed that carrying a six-week-old baby at least three extra hours a day (in addition to the time spent feeding or responding to crying) reduced crying by 43 percent.
Unfortunately, Dr Barr also found that increased carrying does not reduce the persistent and inconsolable crying in infants with "colic." (If your baby seems "colicky," call your pediatrician for further guidance).
Still, frequent holding has other benefits.
Holding helps all infants tune into the rhythm of the family's day, which provides learning experiences about concepts like time and structure and prevents sleep problems later on.
Carrying or holding babies is beneficial to mothers, too.
A new mother who has regular physical contact with her baby feels more tranquil.
Infant carriers and slings are great devices for hands-free "baby-wearing."
Nursing
Breast-feeding helps babies relax and also releases a hormone that reduces stress and soothes frazzled moms.
Sucking a pacifier or a parent's finger can help comfort a crying baby.
Familiarity breeds content
Your baby found all kinds of sounds and rhythmic motions soothing while he was in the womb.
Imitating these experiences during a crying spell can help calm him.
Swaddle your baby in a blanket, hold him in your arms and run the vacuum cleaner, turn on the kitchen faucet or listen to music.
Portable music boxes and musical animals that play for long periods of time are great.
They can also help your baby feel at home when played during a nap or overnight in an unfamiliar place.
To imitate the soothing motions of the womb, use a cradle, rocking chair or infant swing (bassinet-style is best at this age).
Try combining movement with sound. Walk, sway, pat and jiggle your baby as you hum or sing.
Live entertainment
Sometimes your baby may cry just because he's bored.
Try playing baby games like "peek-a-boo" with a clean cloth diaper, or "bicycle" by gently pumping his legs while he lies on his back.
Musical mobiles, nursery rhyme tapes, or even watching a ceiling fan or aquarium may help calm your crying baby.
When in doubt or exhausted, try new faces: letting a friend take a turn may be amusing to your baby and will provide you with a much deserved break.
Change of scenery
Being cooped up in the house all day can be stressful.
Get out the stroller and try a nature break.
Fresh air from a walk in the neighborhood is soothing for both of you.
Hang in there
You'll be drying tears for years to come.
For now, however, keep in mind that your baby is not trying to "manipulate" you with his crying.
Infants' reasoning abilities are not that developed yet.
On the other hand, your instinct to calm your crying baby is very strong.
When he cries, go ahead and trust your feeling to comfort him.
Each time you do, you learn something about your baby's individual needs and he learns to feel safe and secure in your care. - Staff doctor