Welcoming a new baby into your life is an unforgettable experience full of joy, wonder, and, of course, questions about why your baby cries so much at night. Parents who have been through it all often talk about the “newborn witching hour.” This is the time of day when a calm baby suddenly turns into a crying and fussy mess. If your baby has been cranky at night, don’t worry; you’re not the only one, and there are ways to deal with it.
In this in-depth, fact-checked guide, we’ll talk about what the witching hour means for newborns, why it happens, and how long it usually lasts. We’ll also talk about how to calm your baby down, how to stop them from being too fussy at night, and when you might want to call a doctor. We want to comfort and empower you during those tear-filled twilight hours by combining scientific knowledge with practical parenting tips.
What Is the Witching Hour for Newborns?
The witching hour for newborns is usually a time in the late afternoon or evening, usually between 5 PM and 11 PM, when babies are more fussy or hard to calm down than usual. Even though it has a name, it usually lasts a few hours and is marked by normal but intense crying spells.
There is nothing supernatural about the phrase “witching hour newborn.” It’s a nickname for that rough time of day, usually from late afternoon to bedtime, when a baby cries nonstop and can drive even the most patient parents crazy. A lot of moms and dads see this pattern about 2–3 weeks after the baby is born. Imagine that you had a pretty calm day, but as soon as you start making dinner, your baby starts to cry and won’t stop. You try to feed, rock, and change the baby’s diapers, but they still cry. This is exactly what millions of parents mean when they talk about the witching hour.
Even though it might seem like a lot, remember that the witching hour is a normal part of growing up. The baby’s nervous system is still getting used to life outside the womb, which makes them more likely to be fussy at night. You can relax as their caregiver because you aren’t doing anything wrong or missing a magical trick. We will, however, share a lot of baby witching hour remedies for you to try!
Signs That Your Baby Is in the Witching Hour
If your baby is usually happy but suddenly starts crying or being restless at night, you might be seeing the witching hour in action. Every baby is different, but here are some signs that are common:
Constant Crying: Your baby may cry louder and longer than usual.
Being irritable and fussy: They might squirm, arch their back, or not want to be cuddled when they usually do.
Cluster Feeding: Some babies want to be fed a lot of times in a row.
Refusing to Sleep: They might fight naps or sleep at night, even if they’re clearly tired.
Restlessness: They might thrash around, wave their arms, or pull on their hair or ears.
These symptoms can come together, making you feel like you can’t do anything. In reality, the witching hour is just your baby’s way of dealing with a lot of changes, both inside and outside, as night falls.
Why Do Newborns Have a Witching Hour? (Top 6 Reasons)
You’re holding your new baby, and the evening tantrum has started again. You wonder why babies have a witching hour. There isn’t one right answer, but pediatric experts often list the following six as the most common:
Too much stimulation
Babies can get too much stimulation after a day full of lights, sounds, and people. Their nervous system isn’t fully developed yet, so everyday sights and sounds can easily overwhelm them, especially when they get tired at night.
Gas or Stomach Pain
If your newborn cries all the time, it could be because they have gas or reflux. A tiny bubble in a baby’s stomach can hurt a lot. Cluster feeding for hours can also make digestion worse, which can make you feel bad and fussy.
Spurts of Growth
In the first few months of life, babies go through several growth spurts, usually every 2–3 weeks, 6 weeks, and 3 months. They might cry more or ask for more food in the evening, which can happen at the witching hour.
Tiredness in the Evening
Think about how grumpy adults get after a long, tiring day. Babies feel something like this too, but they don’t have as many ways to deal with it. Sometimes babies won’t sleep at night because they’re too tired, which makes them act fussy.
Stress Transfer from Parents
Babies can feel things around them. Taking care of a newborn can be hard. Your baby can pick up on these signs if you’re feeling frazzled, especially at the end of the day. This can make them more restless at night.
Adaptation to Development
Moving from the womb’s cozy, warm space to the busy outside world is a big change. Your baby might be restless at night because they’re getting used to their circadian rhythms and life in general.
Warning: These are common reasons, but if you think your child may have a medical problem like reflux, allergies, or an infection, see a pediatrician. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice; it is only for informational purposes.
How Long Does the Witching Hour Last for Newborns?
The witching hour usually starts around 2 to 3 weeks of age and lasts for 2 to 3 hours in the evening for most newborns. The good news is that it usually gets worse for 6 to 8 weeks and then goes away on its own by 3 to 4 months.
A lot of parents feel better when they learn that this fussy time at night doesn’t last long. Let’s write out a simple timeline:
- Witching hour may start: between 2 and 3 weeks old.
- Peak fussiness: 6 to 8 weeks old.
- Typically ends: by the time they are 3 to 4 months old.
Keep in mind that some babies outgrow the witching hour sooner than others, and some may stay up a little longer than 4 months. Don’t worry if your baby doesn’t stick to a strict schedule; every child is different.
A Table of Key Differences Between Witching Hour and Colic
Many new parents are unsure if they are dealing with colic or the witching hour. These words can mean the same thing, but they aren’t exactly the same. The table below shows the most important differences:
| Feature | Witching Hour | Colic |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | A few hours (evening) | 3 or more hours a day, any time |
| Cause | Overstimulation, evening tiredness, cluster feeding | Often linked to digestive problems, but not always fully understood |
| When | Usually in the evening (5–11 PM) | Can happen at any time, day or night |
| Age Range | 2 to 12 weeks, with improvement by 3 to 4 months | 2 to 4 months, with a peak around 6 weeks |
Does the witching hour mean colic? Not always. The witching hour newborn is very fussy at night, while colic is when a baby cries for at least three hours three days a week for three weeks in a row. If your baby is mostly fussy in the evening and only for a few hours at a time, you are probably dealing with the witching hour.
The Best Ways to Calm a Baby During the Witching Hour
Even though the witching hour can be tough, there are a lot of ways to help babies through it. Here are 10 tried-and-true ways to calm your newborn:
Swaddling
Wrapping your baby tightly in a soft swaddle mimics the comforting pressure of the womb. It can help your baby feel safer and stop them from flailing their arms.
Pro Parent Tip: The Ollie Swaddle is a simple-to-use swaddle that won’t come undone when your baby wiggles.
White Noise
Newborns are used to hearing a steady flow of blood in the womb. You can make that environment again with white noise. A soft hum from a machine can calm down and distract a cranky baby.
Check out the Hatch White Noise Machine for more information. It has different sound settings, like lullabies and ocean waves.
Skin-to-Skin Contact
Holding your baby close to your chest can keep them warm, give them your scent, and make them feel safe. This simple thing can make a big difference in how much babies cry and how close they feel to each other.
Gentle Movement
Babies often like to rock, sway, or bounce gently. Repetitive motion can help a baby who is upset, whether you use a rocking chair, a soft yoga ball, or just dance slowly around the living room.
Dim the Lights
Reducing bright lights and background noise can help because too much stimulation can make fussing worse. A quiet, calm place before bed tells your baby it’s time to relax.
Pacifier
Many newborns find comfort in sucking, which is a natural reflex. A pacifier might help your baby calm down if they are well-fed but still fussy. Make sure the pacifier is the right size and shape for your child’s age.
Warm Bath
A quick bath in warm water can help calm your baby down when they’re being fussy. The sound of running water and the warm, soothing air make it feel like a spa for them.
Tummy Support and Burping
If the crying is caused by gas or stomach problems, try burping them in different positions, like over your shoulder or on your lap. To help with digestion, gently rub their stomach in a circle.
Calming Massage
Less crying is often a sign of a relaxed baby. Make sure the room is warm and move your baby’s arms, legs, and back in soft, circular motions.
Pro Parent Tip: A lot of parents like Mamaearth Massage Oil because it smells nice and has ingredients that are safe for babies.
Smart Sleeper or Smart Bassinet
The SNOO Smart Sleeper is a high-tech bassinet that uses sensors to tell when a baby is upset and automatically rocks or plays soothing sounds. This isn’t a must-have, but it can make a big difference for parents who are tired and need an extra pair of “robotic” hands.
Keep in mind that every baby is different, so you might have to try a few different things before you find one that always works. Using more than one of these methods together, like swaddling and white noise, can also work very well.
Newborns’ Night Witching Hour
Many new parents say that their baby won’t sleep at night. The witching hour can happen at any time in the late afternoon or at night, but it’s usually most noticeable as the day comes to an end, when parents are tired.
Why It Happens Most of the Time at Night
- End-of-Day Sensory Overload: After a long day of feeding, changing, and noise, a newborn may be more sensitive to things that happen at night.
- Accumulation of Fatigue: Babies get tired too, and when they are tired at bedtime, the meltdown can happen faster.
- Cluster Feeding: Babies often eat more at night, and if they are tired or gassy, feeding them all the time can make them more fussy.
How Parents Can Keep Their Cool
- Tag-Team Care: If you can, switch off witching-hour duties with your partner so that each parent can take a short break.
- Breathing Exercises: Taking a few deep breaths can help parents feel less stressed, and when parents are calmer, babies are often calmer too.
- Know It’s Normal: Stop thinking that you’re doing something “wrong.”
When Do Babies Stop Having the Witching Hour?
Most babies stop having the witching hour or have it much less often by the time they are 3 to 4 months old. Some pediatricians say that babies’ fussiness at night starts to go down as they learn to better sync their day and night, eat better, and have stronger circadian rhythms.
Your baby’s brain is growing during this stage of development, which helps them deal with things that happen outside of them. They also get better at calming themselves down (for example, by sucking their fingers) and their sleep-wake cycles become more regular. If you can stick with it for a few weeks or months, you’ll probably see a huge change.
How to Stop or Cut Down on Witching Hour Episodes
You can’t always stop a newborn from crying during the witching hour, but there are things you can do to make it less bad:
Feed on Demand
Babies’ stomachs are small. To avoid frantic late-night feeding requests that can make your baby more fussy, try to notice early signs of hunger, like lip-smacking or putting their hands in their mouth.
Avoid Overstimulation
To help your baby stay calm as bedtime approaches, try to keep loud noises, crowded places, and bright lights to a minimum, especially in the late afternoon.
Offer Naps Earlier
Babies who are too tired often have a harder time at night. Make sure your baby gets enough sleep during the day, even if that means taking extra short naps.
Soft Bedtime Routines
A warm bath, a gentle massage, being wrapped up, or soothing lullabies can all help your child calm down and get ready for bed.
Wear Your Baby
Keeping your baby close to your body with a soft carrier makes them less fussy. It also lets you use your hands for other things.
Schedule a Wind-Down Time
If you think your baby will have a tantrum around 7 PM, start a calming routine at 6:30 PM. Start to turn down the lights, quiet the noise, and let your baby relax.
Reduce Environmental Stress
Try to stay away from busy tasks or emotional fights before bed if you can. Babies can feel and take in stress from the people and things around them.
Give Gentle Stimulation Earlier in the Day
During the day, tummy time or soft play may help your child burn off energy, which could help them sleep better at night.
In the end, making small changes to your baby’s routine and surroundings can have a big impact on how they deal with their fussy time at night.
When to Go to the Doctor
The witching hour is usually fine and doesn’t hurt anyone. But you should always trust your gut. If you notice any worrying signs or something just doesn’t feel right, call a doctor. Some possible warning signs are:
- High Fever or Hypothermia: Your baby’s temperature is either above 100.4°F (38°C) or below 97.7°F (36.5°C).
- Crying that won’t stop: If your child cries for more than three hours straight without stopping, it could be more than just the witching hour.
- Dehydration: If your baby has fewer wet diapers, dark urine, or a soft spot on their head that is sunken in, they may be dehydrated.
- Refusal to Eat: If a baby keeps refusing to eat (from a bottle or breast), it could be a sign of a bigger problem.
- Breathing problems include fast, hard, or wheezing breathing.
- Other Strange Behavior: Any sudden change in behavior or looks that makes you worry.
Pro Tip: Write down how often your baby cries, eats, and sleeps in a small journal. This information can help the pediatrician figure out what might be wrong if you do go.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: When is the witching hour for babies?
The witching hour for babies usually happens between 5 and 11 PM, but it can happen at different times for different babies. As the day comes to an end, many children become more fussy, cry, and are generally restless.
Q2: Why does my baby cry every night?
Newborns often cry at night because they are overstimulated, gassy, or tired from the day. Cluster feeding can also make babies more fussy. This is often called the “witching hour,” and it usually gets better as your baby gets older and more mature.
Q3: How long does the witching hour last?
The witching hour can last for 2 to 3 hours every night, starting when the baby is 2 to 3 weeks old. It usually gets worse at 6–8 weeks and goes away on its own by 3–4 months, but every child is different.
Q4: Is the witching hour normal?
Yes. Overstimulation, tiredness, and diet are some of the things that can cause the witching hour in newborns. It can be hard, but don’t worry; it usually gets better as your baby gets older.
Q5: Is witching hour the same as colic?
Not always. A baby with colic cries for at least three hours at a time, three days a week, for several weeks in a row. The witching hour is a short period of fussiness in the evening that usually goes away after a few hours.
Q6: Is it okay for babies who drink formula to have a witching hour?
Yes, for sure. Babies who are breastfed and those who are fed formula can both have a witching hour. The reasons behind this—being tired, being overstimulated, and being fussy about feeding—aren’t just for breastfeeding.
Q7: As a parent, how do I get through witching hour?
To deal with it, try tag-team parenting, avoid overstimulation, and plan a calm evening routine in advance. Keep in mind that this stage won’t last long. You can also get more emotional and practical help from friends, family, or a pediatrician.
Conclusion
Having a new baby is a great joy, but it also comes with strange problems, like the witching hour for newborns. You’re not the only one who fights against constant crying every night or feels their stress levels rise as soon as the sun goes down. The good news is that this is just a phase in your baby’s growth that will pass. It’s caused by things like too much stimulation, cluster feeding, and stomach problems. You can calm your baby and keep your own calm if you know the right things, use the right techniques, and have a healthy attitude.
Above all, keep in mind that you’re doing a great job. The hours of fussiness don’t last long, and every minute you spend calming your baby is a loving investment in their health for the rest of their life. Use the soothing methods that work best for your baby, like swaddling, gentle movement, a smart sleeper, or a lullaby hush in low light. And if you need more help or think something else is going on, pediatric professionals are there to help.
Your journey through these hard nights will be a part of your parenting story, which is full of love, care, and growth for both you and your child. Before you know it, the witching hour will be a thing of the past, and you’ll be able to enjoy your child’s growth with smiles and laughter. You can find comfort in knowing that this happens to a lot of people and doesn’t last long. And in those quiet times, you’ll realize that every comforting hug and every lullaby at midnight strengthens a bond built on love, strength, and understanding that no amount of fussiness can ever break.
Disclaimer
The information provided on this blog is for educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please consult with a pediatrician for health-related concerns.
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