Witching Hour for Babies: Expert Tips to Manage the Fussy Evenings

Is your baby inconsolable between 5 PM and 11 PM? You aren’t alone. As a mother of two, I’ve navigated the dreaded baby witching hour more times than I can count. This guide combines parental experience with developmental insights to help you understand when the witching hour starts, why it peaks at 6 weeks, and how to manage the witching hour so your family can find peace again.

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What Is the Witching Hour for Babies? 

The witching hour, sometimes called the period of purple crying, is a time in the late afternoon or evening when a baby starts to cry seemingly for no reason.

The exact period differs from baby to baby, but it usually happens between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. and lasts anywhere between a few hours till the early morning. It isn’t unusual for it to occur earlier or later, depending on your baby’s temperament, age, and feeding schedule. 

In my own experience, my second born began his witching hour at about 5pm every evening.

According to Dr Luke Voytas, pediatrician and author of Beyond the Checkup, the witching hour typically starts at two weeks old and peaks at six to eight weeks and usually disappears completely in three to five months. 

The witching hour is characterized by a set of behaviors, including: 

• Excessive, loud, and seemingly inconsolable crying 
• Restlessness
• Difficulty sleeping 
• Arching back or clenching fists, as though in pain
• Difficulty feeding 
• Vigorous sucking, whether on a pacifier, fingers, or during breastfeeding

What Causes the Witching Hour? 

The witching hour isn’t an official medical term with a precise definition or diagnostic criteria. As such, the reasons that cause it remain somewhat elusive. 

Here are some potential reasons that trigger it: 

Overstimulation 

After spending the first nine months in the comfort and warmth of your belly, the “outside world” becomes a sensory-rich and stimulating environment for a newborn. 

All of a sudden, he’s overwhelmed with an influx of new sights, sounds, smells, and sensations—not a fun time! 

And when evening comes, the bubble bursts. He’s had too much and lets you know through crying. 

Fatigue and Frustration 

Babies demonstrate self-soothing behaviors by three to four months. 

Before that, though, they’re like a fish out of water, unable to regulate their nervous system when it’s time to wind down. This can lead to fussiness and frustration from being unable to sleep. They cry to not only express discomfort but also seek comfort from their parents. 

Hunger 

Sometimes, babies fuss during the witching hour because they’re hungry. 

This hunger aligns with a behavior called cluster feeding, where a baby wants lots of short feeds over a few hours—sometimes as often as 30 minutes. 

It’s common and normal, especially during the early days of breastfeeding. 

Circadian Rhythm Development

In the early months of their lives, babies are still developing their circadian rhythm, which regulates sleep-wake cycles. 

The witching hour may coincide with the baby’s internal clock being out of sync with the family’s daily routine. 

As the baby’s circadian rhythm matures, the intensity of the witching hour often decreases.

Trapped Wind 

If a baby isn’t well-winded after his feeds, gas could build up throughout the day. By the early evening, that trapped wind can become a source of discomfort, causing him to cry, writhe, and call out for your attention. 

Reflux

During their early months, many babies experience reflux. 

Reflux happens when the contents of the baby’s stomach, including the stomach acid, flow back into the esophagus. It usually happens during or shortly after feeding, but it can also occur one to two hours later.

During the witching hour, babies with reflux may experience heightened discomfort. 

The horizontal position during feeding or cuddling, common during the witching hour, can also trigger reflux symptoms. 

What Is the Difference Between the Witching Hour and Colic? 

Although the symptoms of the witching hour and colic appear identical, they’re not the same thing. 

For one, the witching hour isn’t an official medical term or diagnosis; rather, it’s an expression parents use to describe a phase of increased fussiness and crying. 

Meanwhile, colic is a medical term indicating severe abdominal pain due to factors like intestinal gas or muscle spasms. It involves prolonged and intense crying, usually more than three hours a day for more than three days a week, and more than three weeks in a row. 

In comparison, the witching hour is characterized by periods of fussiness, on and off throughout the evenings. It can be caused by colic, as well as other factors such as overstimulation or hunger. 

Witching Hour vs Colic

Additional Points:

• Witching hour is a normal developmental phase, while colic is a medical condition.
• If unsure about the cause of your baby’s crying, consult your pediatrician.

How to Prevent or Reduce Fussiness During the Witching Hours 

Here are some strategies that can help prevent or reduce the intensity of the witching hour: 

1. Identify Early Sleepy Cues to Avoid Overtiredness

The biggest trigger for the witching hour is an overtired baby. Once a newborn passes their “wake window” (usually 45-90 minutes), their body releases cortisol, making it nearly impossible for them to settle. Watch for:

• Eye rubbing or pulling at ears.
• Turning away from lights or sounds.
• The “fixed stare” or zoned-out look. Action Tip: If you see these, start your bedtime routine immediately to get ahead of the crying cycle.

2. Create a Bedtime Routine 

Establish a consistent routine to help them understand that bedtime is approaching. 

Create a predictable sequence of activities that can help soothe your baby, whether it’s a bedtime story, a warm bath, or a gentle lullaby. 

Use the same techniques when your baby appears agitated during the witching hour so he associates them with safety and relaxation.

3. Adjust Feeding Patterns

If your baby tends to cluster feed during the witching hours, try to adjust the feeding patterns earlier in the evening. Offer more frequent but lesser feedings leading up to bedtime to help satisfy your baby’s hunger and also prevent reflux. 

4. Reduce Stimuli 

Minimize stimuli during the witching hours by creating a calm and dimly lit environment. 

Lower the lights, reduce noise, and put on some calming music to help your baby wind down and get ready to sleep. 

Babies love the feeling of skin-to-skin, so you can also use this time to give your little one a gentle massage. 

How Do I Manage the Witching Hour With My Baby?

When you are in the thick of the evening fussiness, you need strategies that work now. Here is a step-by-step management plan to help soothe your baby and protect your sanity.

1. The “Change of Scenery” Reset

If the crying feels inconsolable, break the sensory cycle.

• Go Outside: The change in temperature and fresh air often acts as an immediate “reset button” for a baby’s nervous system.
• The Warm Bath: The sound of running water and the physical warmth can mimic the environment of the womb.

2. Use Rhythmic Motion

Babies are used to the constant movement of the womb. Replicate this using:

• The “Football Hold”: Lay your baby face-down along your forearm with their head in your hand. This puts gentle pressure on the tummy, which helps with gas.
• Babywearing: Using a wrap or carrier keeps your baby close to your heartbeat while allowing you to move around (or even finish a quick dinner).

3. Implement the “Low-Stim” Zone

By 6 PM, your baby’s brain has processed a lot of data. Help them “power down” by:

• Dimming the lights and turning off the TV.
• Using white noise (set to the volume of a running shower) to drown out household chaos.

4. Lean into Cluster Feeding

It is common for babies to want to eat every 30–60 minutes during the witching hour. Don’t fight it!

• Pro Tip: If breastfeeding, this frequent “ordering” helps build your milk supply for the next day. If bottle-feeding, offer smaller, more frequent amounts to avoid overfilling a fussy tummy.

5. The “Hand-Off” Strategy

Managing the witching hour is physically and emotionally draining.

• Tap Out: If you feel your frustration rising, place your baby safely in their crib for 5–10 minutes and step away to breathe. A calm parent is better equipped to soothe a crying baby.

The witching hour can be a difficult and frustrating time for both the parent and the infant. However, it’s important to understand that it’s a passing phenomenon that improves as babies grow and adapt to their surroundings. 

As caregivers, understanding the factors that trigger the witching hour allows us to implement the necessary steps and strategies to create a more soothing environment for our little ones.

Think of the witching hour as a training exercise for your superhero skills. You’ll master the art of calming cries, decipher fussy codes, and emerge victorious, ready to conquer any bedtime battle. So, chin up, cape on, and remember, even superheroes need a cuddle break sometimes.

FAQs About The Witching Hour For Babies