Newborns cry less when they are being rocked, carried, jiggled, or suddenly changed in position, all actions that activate the vestibular system. Preterm babies of 28 weeks react to smells. After birth, unwashed babies are more successful at bringing their hand to their mouth during the first hour, than washed babies. Sucking on a finger is self-calming. Mothers who spent as little as 10 minutes with their newborn successfully recognize the child's T-shirt by smell.
Babies can identify their mother's breast milk pad by smell.
Comforting smell is why a toddler doesn't want his favorite blanket washed. Taste in babies is just as fascinating. The fetus experiences tastes in the amniotic fluid according to what the mother has eaten. This affects the babies taste preferences after birth. Infants can taste many flavors but prefer sweet.