What Is The 'Witching Hour' For Babies?

Just when you thought you had the new-mom routine down — you're diapering like a pro, you've got a great nursing pillow or a favorite formula brand — your little one throws you a curveball. Right around early evening, your baby starts to fuss or wail outright, and nothing — nothing — seems to calm them. Welcome to the "witching hour," a phase for newborns that can try even the most patient parent.

As you've heard every parenting expert explain, crying is a baby's primary way of expressing their needs. Although the cause is often obvious, around 2 to 6 weeks of age, many newborns start to get cranky in the early evening or even later at night. The cries usually last around one to three hours, which can feel like an eternity to a caregiver. (It should really be called "witching hours.") Why does it happen? It depends. Sometimes, it's as simple as a too-full tummy; other crying jags may be set off by fatigue, overstimulation, or boredom. Some babies experience day-night confusion, in which they sleep most of the day and become active (and crying!) after sundown. Parents can counteract that by waking the baby early in the morning, feeding and playing with them while they're awake, and providing a darkened, quiet room for nighttime sleep. 

The good news is that the "witching hour" tends to ease off around month three or four as the baby matures and becomes better able to self-soothe. Until that happens, the time-honored methods for soothing a crying newborn still apply: baby-wearing in a sling, bouncing and dancing, singing, going outside, or providing white noise like a vacuum cleaner or dryer. 

When a baby's crying during the "witching hour" consistently lasts longer than a couple of hours, your baby may be experiencing colic. Again, this condition is often connected to the infant's overreaction to stimuli, in which case it just takes time for their nervous system to adjust. But colic can also signal an upset stomach or other physical pain. In colicky babies, the crying can sound shriller than normal and be accompanied by body stiffness or bent legs. 

See your pediatrician if your baby's evening cries can't be soothed easily, or they seem truly uncomfortable. If no illness is present, then a change in your child's diet may help. Breastfeeding moms can try cutting out certain items from their diets, such as caffeine. Babies on formula (even the best organic options) may do better on a brand without milk proteins due to potential food sensitivities — but make sure you talk to your healthcare provider before switching formulas. Parents who have survived the "witching hour" also report good results from methods as varied as massaging their baby's back or tummy, rotating their legs in a bicycle motion, going for a walk, and turning on the ceiling fan. 

Most of all, don't stress about not having "a good baby" — crying has nothing to do with behavior — and don't be afraid to ask someone else to watch your child so you can get out for a while. Even putting the baby in their crib (on their back, of course) and taking a break will help you get through a rough spell. As long as you provide care and comfort throughout the day, your child will feel secure and loved even in the worst of their "witching-hour" phase.