Sing to your newborn. Let go of any inhibitions you may have about singing, as you aren't doing it for anyone but the baby. Lullabies or standard children's songs provide options. As you hold the baby, gently tap out the rhythm on her back.
Place the baby in a rocking cradle. Swing the cradle gently back and forth in rhythmic succession. This may help him to fall asleep. Some types of cradles automatically rock back and forth to keep your arm from becoming tired.
Play CDs of music with a strong beat around your newborn. Pay attention to how she reacts to the different speeds of the rhythm. Gentle, soft beats may lull her to sleep while more complex rhythms may make her seem more alert.
Put a clock that makes a ticking sound in the same room as your newborn. The ticking rhythm may help calm an upset baby and exposes him to a steady beat.
Hold your newborn and put on a CD with a strong beat. Gently dance and sway to the rhythm.
Play a percussion instrument such as a bongo drum or snare drum around the newborn. Start with a simple, steady beat and move up to more complex rhythms.