Do not laugh or roll your eyes until you have actually tried a method and it fails you. In this case, it has really helped me. When I was pregnant I was part of this online community called The Bump. I am still a part of this community, but on the parenting boards now. It's wonderful, and mommys-to-be get together and gab via the forums about all their concerns and 'Awe' moments.

During the third trimester I was pointed towards this video/book called The Happiest Baby On the Block. It is a technique to calm colicky babies, but can be used on non-colic cases too. I watched it and truthfully ... I laughed, rolled my eyes. Partly due to the fact that the Doctor, Dr. Harvey, reminded me of my University Professor, who is also an old clown partner of mine. (If you know me, you know who I am speaking of) He said to think of the first 3 months as "The 4th trimester" ... a baby needs to feel as though they are still in the womb to make the transition to the outside world easier. He said to do this by these 5 S's:

Swaddle, Sooth/Suckle, Side, Shake, Sounds

My thoughts on Swaddling pre-baby were: It's a cruel thing to bind a baby
Swaddling Now: It's great, and actually calms her down so that she can sleep peacefully without startling herself awake.

Sooth/Suckle Pre-Baby: No soothers until she is at least 3 months old - no nipple confusions
Now: Baby likes it, I like it ... all is well in the world and no one is confused between plastic and mommy's flesh

Side: This means baby sleeps on their side in your hands - I was always fine with this .. and it works very well

Shake Pre-Baby: Who would like having their head shaken? Baby's aren't supposed to be shaken!!
Now: It means jiggle gently in your hands ... she loves it ... that's why they made those bouncy chairs - they do the same thing without the forearm workout

Sounds Pre-baby: White noise? what about lullabies? Never shush a child, especially a baby.
Now: I still sing to her, and I know she likes it because I sang to her in the womb too ... but the white noise shushing does work super well when she's uncontrollably wailing! Singing or talking to her does diddly!!

So that's it ... I am ashamed that I rolled my eyes at Dr. Harvey's techniques ... he now has a "Happiest Toddler" and I will be sure to read/watch that one too when the time is right.