When Ellie was crying, I'd take a deep breath, steady myself, and then pick her up.
My husband and I were fortunate to have a baby nurse helping out for the first few weeks of our daughter's life. The baby nurse could often calm Ellie down when she was inconsolable to me, even when I mimicked her soothing methods. There were times when I simply couldn't understand how she could do it. Our nurse told me that babies are incredible at reading people. If you aren't calm, she won't be calm. And as a nervous and inexperienced first-time mother, of course I was having a hard time keeping myself calm and collected. But I took this advice to heart. When Ellie was crying, I'd take a deep breath, steady myself, and then pick her up. Seeing how much quicker she would settle when I was relaxed was amazing.