New families often tell me that the evening hours are the hardest for them. Newborns tend to get fussy, unhappy or show ‘colicky’ symptoms. This phenomenon is called the ‘witching hour’ - an experience that brings many new parents to their wits’ end.

In this blog article, I’ll walk you through the infamous ‘witching hour’ and provide practical solutions for how to get through it. I’ll be answering questions such as:

What is the ‘witching hour’?
Why are newborn babies struggling in the evening hours?
And what concrete steps can parents do to make it easier for their newborn, all while regulating their own nervous systems in the process?

Disclaimer: This article was written for general guidance only and does not claim to represent medical advice. If you are concerned about your baby’s symptoms or prolonged crying, please reach out to your trusted medical health care provider.

What is the witching hour?

The witching hour refers to a period of time when babies get very fussy, hard to calm down and agitated, generally between 5:00 pm and 11:00 pm.

They may cry longer or with more intensity than during the day, be much harder to soothe and cause quite some overwhelm and fatigue amongst new parents.

This tricky phase usually starts around 2-3 weeks of age, peaks around week 6 and disappears closer to 3 to 4 months.

Why is the witching hour so hard for babies?

Newborn baby yawning with hand on its head

1. Everything is new

Being new to the world is very overwhelming and stimulating for newborns: They are exposed to new sounds and textures, different smells, light and temperatures.

During their first year of life, babies attach through their senses and can literally sense when things get a little hectic around them. Think busy evening routines, older siblings coming home, the hustle and bustle of dinner time - you name it!

Basically, it can take some time for them to adapt to being out of the womb, their soothing and steady safe place for most of their existence on this planet.

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2. Hunger kicks in

For breastfed babies, prolactin (the milk-making hormone) is lowest in the afternoon hours, as is melatonin (the sleepy hormone). This means that baby might be pretty hungry this time of day, but your breastmilk supply may need some time to catch up.

This is a perfect time to get to know your baby’s specific hunger cues and offer milk feeds as often as baby needs.
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3. Their nervous system is disregulated

Especially if their first moments of life were a little stressful, their little nervous system may need some time to regulate.

And because newborns are so susceptible to even the smallest of stressors, they can pick up on moments that tend to disregulate their nervous system, such as extended NICU stays, separation from mama, emergency c-sections or anything else during the first few days or weeks after birth.

Cortisol (the stress hormone) may still be present in their system and may take some time to get back into balance.

♡♡ The good news: There’s many different ways in which we as their parents can support and soothe them, gently and lovingly. ♡♡
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4. They’re uncomfortable

Newborns have a very immature digestive system and may suffer from gas or acid reflux, which can build up throughout the day and lead to stomach discomfort or ‘colic’.

Babies may not know how to verbalize their needs yet but are usually pretty incredible about communicating when something is wrong. Trust your gut and double check if you feel that something is off.

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5. Babies cry. A lot.

Crying is a baby’s one and only way of communicating.

If they’re going through something, chances are that they’ll cry, which isn’t bad in itself but rather an evolutionary protection mechanism.

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How to get through the witching hour

1. Rule out basic needs

Go through any of baby’s basic needs. Are they hungry? Tired? Gassy? Overstimulated? Experiencing reflux? In need of a diaper change? Troubleshooting the basics is a great first step to calming baby.

This article on how to calm a fussy baby has some great tips for new parents.
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2. The 5 S strategy

Try soothing baby with the five S strategy:

Swaddling (wrapping baby tightly into a breathable muslin cloth to recreate the feeling of being cocooned, similarly to the womb)
Shushing (using your voice to gentle lull your little one to sleep, either by monotonous shushing sounds or singing)
Side or stomach lying (placing babies on their sides or stomachs temporarily to provide their bodies with proprioceptive input, which is often more soothing that lying on their backs)
Swinging (using gentle and repetitive motion to your advantage to calm your baby)
Sucking (encouraging baby to suck on your breast, a bottle or a pacifier can send signals to their brains that they’re safe)

Usually, reverting to either (or all) of the above will help baby calm down, provide them with the type of sensory input they’re looking for and show them over and over again that they’re safe in your loving presence.

Keep in mind that all babies are different. What works for one baby may not work for another (such as swaddles). Instead, let’s remember that
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3. Skin to skin

Skin to skin is a wonderful way of coregulating with baby, calming their nervous system and offering comfort and care.

Although many new parents are encouraged to practise skin to skin with their newborns, we tend to forget that this practise is hugely beneficial for both parent and baby, even beyond the early postpartum time. Even a few months or years into parenting, intimate skin-to-skin connection can be a wonderful way of showing your baby that they’re safe.

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4. Consider their immature circadian rhythm

Newborn babies cannot distinguish between night and day just yet.

Their circadian rhythm (=their internal body clock) only starts emerging around 2-3 months but can take up to a full year to properly develop.

Until their circadian rhythm is fully developed, we can support our little ones by making a clear distinction between night and day: keeping it bright, noisy and active during the day vs. toning it down and keeping it quiet, calm and darker overnight. With time, babies will pick up on these external cues and develop their internal clock naturally.

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5. Focus on staying calm

Regulate your nervous system as much as you can to get through the cries, which can feel triggering for most parents.

What feels relaxing to you? Putting on your headphones to listen to a podcast? Deep belly breathing? Taking a shower while somebody else tends to baby? Listening to a guided meditation?

6. Integrate daytime sleep

Try to catch up on sleep as much as possible during the day.

Now is not the time to expect calm evenings and long stretches of uninterrupted sleep. Instead, try to nap as much as you can during the day to fill up your cup when it comes to sleep.

For breastfeeding mamas, sleepiness usually kicks in right after a nursing session. Take advantage of that sweet sleepiness to doze off to sleep alongside with your baby.

Related article: Baby Sleep 101: The Truth About Co-Sleeping
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7. Rely on your support village

Take turns taking care of baby if you have a partner at home, or ask from support from a postpartum doula/ trusted family member/ friend. You are not meant to go through this alone.

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8. Remember that this is temporary

If all else fails, remember that this too shall pass. ❤️ The first few weeks after birth are often the hardest.

Baby’s Witching Hour: Survival Strategies for Tired Parents

What is the witching hour?