Why on earth do babies cry so much? We know that newborns come into the world unused to bright lights, loud sounds, or varying temperatures—and those things in and of themselves would probably make a grown-up cry, as well. But the biggest tear-inducer is this: Newborns never knew hunger when attached to the umbilical cord—and now they feel it every few hours by the end of their first week. And since there's plenty to stress out an infant, we have to appreciate that crying is the one way baby has to communicate wants, desires, upsets, or just plain moodiness.

What if baby just wants attention?

Babies older than two or three months will cry for attention and to be held simply because they crave companionship. If you ignore your child for too long, expect a 'Look at me!' cry. One way to give constant comfort is to 'wear' your baby in a sling or baby carrier, so the two of you are always connected, even as you go about your chores. Or seat baby in an infant carrier or bouncer seat facing you. Even if you're busy making dinner, working on the computer, or resting, you can hang out with and talk to your baby. Bouncer seats are available with a host of features, including vibrations, soothing music, and sun shades. Look for a sturdy model, and be sure never to use a bouncer seat as an infant carrier—they are not built to be picked up by their handles while baby is inside.