Final answer:
Western parents typically first soothe a crying baby by lifting the baby to the shoulder and rocking or walking, given the positive response of neonates to touch and gentle movements. It's important to avoid harsh actions, which can cause shaken-baby syndrome. Caregiver awareness of infant reflexes like the sucking and rooting reflex can ease the process.
Step-by-step explanation:
The technique that Western parents usually try first when soothing a crying baby is lifting the baby to the shoulder and rocking or walking. A newborn's well-developed sense of touch responds positively to such comforting actions, like soft stroking, cuddling, gentle rocking, and warm baths. It is crucial to handle babies gently; harsh actions, such as shaking, can lead to shaken-baby syndrome, a severe form of physical abuse with potentially dire consequences. Understanding newborns' reflexes, such as the sucking reflex and rooting reflex, which help them feed, is vital for caregivers to respond to crying babies effectively and avoid frustration that could escalate into harmful behavior.