It is stressful to parents when a baby cries, especially when he cries for a long time. Check to see if the baby is hungry, wants to burp, needs a diaper change, or has a temperature and could be ill. Sometimes, infants cry when there is a lot of noise. Encourage the baby to calm down by himself. Help him find his thumb or pacifier.
Some infants calm down to rhythmic motion such as rocking, walking, or riding in a car or stroller.
Try holding him and gently stroking his face or body. Try a variety of positions. Rather than holding him in your arms and looking at him, try sitting him in your lap facing away from you and give him your clean finger to suck on. Sometimes babies find it easier to relax if they are swaddled. Place the baby in a quiet, dim room.