The witching hour - what it is and how to relieve it

What is the witching hour?

The witching hour, also known as evening crying or evening crankiness, refers to a period in the evening when a baby becomes particularly fussy and irritable. During this time, the baby may cry more frequently, want to nurse or feed often but still seem dissatisfied at the breast or bottle, and often need to be held constantly for comfort and support.

The witching hour is very common during the first few months of a baby’s life. It typically starts around 2-3 weeks of age, peaks around 6 weeks, and usually disappears by 3-4 months.

If your baby is otherwise healthy and this fussiness occurs at the same time each day, it is generally considered normal. The witching hour is different from colic, which is characterized by intense crying in an otherwise healthy baby for at least three hours a day, three days a week, for at least three weeks.

Understanding the witching hour can help you manage this challenging time and provide the extra comfort your baby needs during these periods.

How long does the witching hour last?

During a certain time in the afternoon or evening, usually during the last wake period before “nighttime sleep,” you might notice that your baby:

• Becomes more irritable and dissatisfied, and nothing seems to make them happy

• Only wants to be held, but may not be fully content even then

• Fussing at the breast or bottle, possibly flailing their arms, wanting to nurse but repeatedly letting go, and seeming dissatisfied

• Sometimes is only content at the breast and nowhere else

• Has difficulty settling down to sleep

These behaviors are common during the witching hour and can be challenging to manage. Recognizing these signs can help you provide the comfort and support your baby needs during this fussy time.

When does the witching hour usually start and end?

It can begin within a few days after birth and often peaks around 6 weeks of age. For most, the witching hour stops around 3-4 months.

What causes the witching hour?

The exact cause of the witching hour isn't fully understood, but there are several theories. It may be due to the baby being tired, with their immature and sensitive nervous system becoming overstimulated by sensory input throughout the day. An increased need for closeness in the evening could also play a role, as well as possible digestion issues or mild stomach discomfort. These factors combined might contribute to the baby’s fussiness during this time.

Approach the witching hour calmly and methodically

There are many ways to help reduce and alleviate the witching hour, but the most important thing may be to understand that it’s normal and to accept it as part of parenting a newborn. Prepare yourself to provide extra support to your baby in the evening, and try to stay calm, even though it can be challenging to meet all your baby's needs during this time.

If you have other children, it might help to plan for additional support in the evening. Another parent, relative, or friend could step in to give you a break.

And remember, if the witching hour starts to affect your own well-being, don’t hesitate to talk to your healthcare provider or other medical professionals.

Tips to soothe your baby during the witching hour

Tip 1: Reduce stimuli: minimize noise and light

Try to reduce the amount of noise and light your baby is exposed to, both in the evening and during the day, especially if your baby is easily overstimulated. Keep in mind that how much a baby cries can also be influenced by their innate temperament. It’s important to experiment to find what works best for your little one. For example, outgoing and inquisitive babies might cry because they’re overstimulated, while calmer babies might cry because they need more stimulation, like hearing you sing a song or being carried around to see new things.

If you’re facing significant issues with the witching hour, consider staying home more and reducing activities, or giving your baby breaks from the hustle and bustle with siblings during the day. Carrying your baby in a sling or baby carrier can also help reduce stimuli, as it keeps them facing inward toward you and somewhat shielded from their surroundings.

In the evening, it can be helpful to retreat to a quiet room with your baby and dim the lighting. This calmer environment can make it easier for your baby to settle down and feel more secure.

Tip 2: Carry your baby in a sling or baby carrier

Carrying your baby in a sling or baby carrier is often an effective way to soothe them during the witching hour and can also serve as a preventive measure during the day. This practice is believed to help the baby "tank up on closeness" while being somewhat shielded from overwhelming sensory input. Additionally, the act of carrying is calming in itself and provides gentle abdominal massage, which can be comforting if your baby experiences stomach discomfort.

Important Note: When carrying a newborn, it's essential to learn how to carry safely. This includes ensuring that the baby's position is ergonomically supportive for their long-term development and that their airways remain clear at all times.

Tip 3: Nurse/feed freely and respond to early cues

Allowing your baby to nurse or bottle-feed freely means letting them eat as much as they want, both during the day and in the evening when the witching hour sets in. Eating and sucking are calming for babies and, in the case of breastfeeding, also help stimulate milk production.

It's also helpful to respond to early hunger cues and begin nursing or feeding before your baby becomes too upset. If your baby starts crying or screaming, it can be harder for them to achieve a good latch during breastfeeding, as their tongue moves further back in their mouth, and their patience decreases. By recognizing and responding to these early cues, you can help make feeding more successful and less stressful for both you and your baby.

Examples of early and medium cues:

• Rooting (moving head/neck to seek the nipple)

• Licking

• Opening mouth wide

• Sucking on hands

• Smacking lips

Late cues:

• Whining

• Crying

• Screaming

Did you know:

• Babies often want to nurse more frequently in the evening.

• During the evening, milk may let down a bit more slowly, which can contribute to this fussiness. However, it’s important to note that milk is typically fattier at this time, providing more sustenance.

• When your baby nurses frequently or even constantly for a few hours, this is usually called cluster feeding. During cluster feeding, the breasts are constantly refilling, so if they feel “empty,” try switching sides to keep up with your baby’s needs.

• The baby “keeping the breasts empty” for a longer time can actually be important for breastfeeding. When the breasts are empty, signals are sent to increase milk production, which is necessary when the baby grows and their nutritional needs increase (hence the behavior of cluster feeding).

Tips for when your baby fusses at the breast in the evening:

• Settle in and get comfortable: Prepare a nursing basket with snacks and water, and ask for support from a partner or family members to help with any older children.

• Allow frequent nursing: Let your baby come to the breast repeatedly, even if they let go and fuss, or even if they’ve recently had a full feeding.

• Switch breasts: If your baby fusses and lets go, try switching breasts—repeat this as many times as needed and be patient.

• Help your baby nap: Encourage an extra nap in the evening to give your baby more patience with breastfeeding.

• Combine breastfeeding with movement: Try nursing in a sling or carrier while gently bouncing on a yoga ball. This can provide comfort and soothe your baby.

• Use a firm nursing pillow: Nursing on a solid, supportive pillow can help your baby latch more comfortably.

• Adjust the environment: If your baby seems fussy, try undressing them or letting in some fresh air—sometimes they’re simply too warm.

• Combine feeding with white noise: Playing white noise while breastfeeding can create a calming environment and help reduce fussiness.

Tips for when your baby fusses during bottle-feeding in the evening:

• Encourage an extra nap: Help your baby take a short nap in the evening to gain more patience during feeding.

• Combine feeding with movement: Try feeding while rocking your baby in your arms or gently bouncing on a yoga ball. This can help soothe them during feeding.

• Adjust the environment: If your baby seems fussy, try undressing them slightly or letting in some fresh air. Sometimes, they may be too warm.

• Consider offering a pacifier: After feeding, a pacifier can provide additional comfort and help soothe your baby.

• Use white noise: Playing white noise during bottle-feeding can create a calming environment and help reduce fussiness.

Tip 4: Movement: Rock in your arms or on a yoga ball

Gently rocking in your arms or on a yoga ball can work wonders during the witching hour. Make sure the yoga ball is large enough so that your hips are above your knees, and your feet are firmly anchored on the floor for balance. Rock gently with your baby in your arms or a sling, always ensuring that their head is well-supported. You can also walk around your home, rocking your baby in your arms or in a sling for added comfort.

Another effective technique is rocking your baby in the "tiger in the tree" hold, which can help calm a fussy baby. You can read more about this soothing hold here.

Tip 5: Help your baby sleep

Something that can make a big difference during the witching hour for some babies is helping them take an extra nap in the evening. Sometimes, this nap requires a bit of extra support to ensure it's long enough to improve the baby's mood.

Try letting your baby sleep in a sling or carrier, or use white noise or other calming aids to help extend the nap. If possible, aim for a nap of at least 30 minutes, as this can often have a positive impact on their mood and make the evening smoother.

Providing this extra bit of rest can help your baby feel more content and less fussy during the challenging witching hour.

Tip 6: Go outside: fresh air & change of scenery

Many parents find that fussiness decreases when they introduce fresh air. Opening a window, rocking on a yoga ball, rocking the baby in their arms on the balcony, or taking a short walk with the baby in a carrier can work wonders during the witching hour. The combination of fresh air, cooling, movement, being held, and nursing or using a pacifier often provides comfort and helps soothe a fussy baby.

Just be sure to keep an eye on the temperature to ensure your baby doesn’t get too cold or chilled, and adjust their clothing as needed to keep them comfortable.

Tip 7: Undress your baby

Sometimes it helps to undress the baby and let them be in just a diaper, preferably skin-to-skin with a parent. For example, you can take off your own top and carry the baby in a sling. This close contact can be incredibly soothing for your baby, helping to calm them during fussy periods like the witching hour.

Tip 8: White noise

White noise is another effective tool to try during the witching hour—especially when combined with other soothing techniques. For example, you might play white noise or another calming sound while gently rocking on a yoga ball in a quiet room, perhaps nursing in a sling with an open window. You get the idea—combining these methods can work wonders for calming your baby.

In Napper, you’ll find 35+ different white noise and sleep sounds, including options like brown noise (a deeper, richer sound) and womb sounds with a heartbeat. Experiment with different sounds to find what works best for you and your baby.

Tip 9: Combine several of these

Often, the best approach is to try different strategies and find a combination of several that works for you and your baby.

For example: When your baby starts showing signs of the witching hour, you could retreat to a quiet room, dim the lights, and open a window. You nurse the baby, patiently switching breasts several times, and finally offer a pacifier in the sling. Then, you gently rock on a yoga ball while listening to the sound of ocean waves. This combination could help your baby settle down and even get that much-needed 30-minute nap.

Could the witching hour be due to a lack of breast milk?

Evening fussiness in babies can sometimes be due to hunger, but this is different from the witching hour. If it’s been a while since your baby’s last weigh-in or if you’re concerned that they aren’t getting enough to eat, it’s a good idea to talk to your healthcare provider. This can help ensure that the fussiness isn’t related to hunger.

It’s easy to worry that there isn’t enough milk, especially since the witching hour often coincides with your baby wanting to nurse more frequently in the evening. However, this is not necessarily the case. The witching hour is common for small babies, even for those who are bottle-fed, and isn’t always linked to a lack of milk supply.

Can newborns experience the witching hour?

Yes, the witching hour can start sneaking up on newborns early on and often peaks around 6 weeks, though this can vary. You might notice that your newborn is a bit fussier than usual during the evening.

For small newborns who haven’t yet fully established breastfeeding or started gaining weight steadily, it’s important to ensure that the fussiness isn’t due to hunger or other issues affecting milk intake. If you’re concerned that the fussiness at the breast could have other causes, it’s a good idea to discuss this with your healthcare provider (nurse/doctor). They can help determine whether it’s the witching hour or something else that needs attention.

The witching hour vs colic

The witching hour is milder than colic and is considered a normal part of infant behavior. During the witching hour, the baby is fussier and crankier and may cry more often, but they do not meet the criteria for colic, which is defined by the "rule of 3": crying intensely and continuously for three hours at a time, three times a week, for at least three weeks.

The terms "witching hour" and "colic" can be somewhat fluid, with the main difference being the total amount of time the baby cries.

Of healthy 6-week-old babies, about 20-25% meet the definition of colic according to the "rule of three" (3 hours, 3 times a week, for 3 weeks) without any underlying illness. Fortunately, for most babies, colic tends to resolve on its own as they grow.

When should you seek medical advice?

If you feel that your baby is crying a lot, it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider. Sometimes a medical examination is necessary to rule out any treatable medical causes for the excessive crying.

It’s also crucial to seek help for your own well-being if the baby’s crying is taking a toll on you. It’s normal to feel frustrated when your baby cries a lot, and many parents experience similar feelings. There is help available to manage frustration and prevent it from impacting your baby or your relationships. Don’t hesitate to reach out for support when you need it—taking care of yourself is just as important as taking care of your baby.