The witching hour refers to a period of time late at night when babies tend to get fussy and cry more than usual. For newborns, the witching hour often occurs in the early evening hours, typically between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. Experts believe the witching hour occurs due to normal developmental changes in a newborn’s sleep patterns, feeding schedule, growth spurts, and overall senses during the first few months of life. While the incessant crying during the witching hour can be stressful for parents, it’s important to understand this phenomenon is common and temporary.
When does the witching hour start for newborns?
The witching hour typically begins when a newborn is around 2 weeks old and peaks between 6-8 weeks. Most babies outgrow this fussy period around 3-4 months old. During the newborn period, babies begin developing more regular sleep-wake cycles and start differentiating between day and night. They become more alert and active in the evenings, which can lead to overtiredness and difficulty settling down. The timing of the witching hour can vary between babies, but often occurs in the late afternoon or early evenings between 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
What causes the witching hour in newborns?
There are several factors believed to contribute to the witching hour in newborns:
- Overstimulation – During the evening, babies have been exposed to more activity, lights, noises, and interaction throughout the day which can overwhelm their senses.
- Overtiredness – Newborns struggle to settle themselves when they get overtired, leading to crying.
- Gas pain – Babies may swallow more air during evening feedings, causing stomach discomfort.
- Growth spurts – Cluster feedings signal growth spurts in newborns, which can disrupt their routine.
- Immature nervous system – A newborn’s ability to self-soothe and regulate emotions is still developing.
- Circadian rhythm changes – Around 6 weeks, a newborn’s circadian rhythms start maturing which can impact sleep patterns.
The witching hour tends to resolve on its own as babies get better at self-soothing and their nervous system matures. Still, there are ways parents can try to minimize fussy evenings.
How to soothe a newborn during the witching hour
Here are some tips for dealing with a fussy newborn during the nightly witching hour:
- Start a calming bedtime routine early to help baby wind down.
- Limit stimulation and noise in the evenings.
- Swaddle your newborn to help them feel secure.
- Use white noise or soothing music to drown out disruptive noises.
- Gently rock, walk with, or sway your baby.
- Try skin-to-skin contact to provide comfort and warmth.
- Offer a pacifier for sucking and self-soothing.
- Check for signs of hunger and feed baby if needed.
- Make sure baby’s diaper is clean and comfortable.
- Give baby a warm bath to relax their body.
- Take baby for a ride in the stroller or car to change scenery.
If you’ve tried various soothing techniques and your newborn is still inconsolable, contact your pediatrician to rule out any medical issues. With time and patience, the witching hour does pass.
When does the witching hour end?
For most babies, the witching hour starts to improve significantly around weeks 12-15 and ends completely by months 3-4. As babies gain better control of their sleep-wake cycles, develop their nervous systems, grow out of the newborn stage, and require less frequent feedings at night, the witching hour usually resolves on its own. If the period of fussiness persists longer than 4 months, consult your doctor.
Newborn sleep during the witching hour
The witching hour can disrupt a newborn’s sleep as they struggle to settle down in the evenings. Newborns need around 16-18 hours of sleep total in a 24 hour period. They typically have 2-4 hour sleep stretches during the day and more restless sleep periods overnight. Newborns may fuss if overtired, so it’s helpful to watch for sleepy cues and put them to bed before they get inconsolable. Having an early, quiet, and consistent bedtime routine is key to helping newborns sleep better during the witching hour phase.
Is the witching hour normal for newborns?
The witching hour is completely normal and affects almost all babies during their newborn period. The fussy, unsettled behavior typically arises around 2 weeks of age and affects babies mainly in the late afternoon and early evenings. Pediatricians estimate around 20% of babies have colic which causes excessive, frequent crying in the first months of life. However, the general fussiness of the witching hour is not the same as colic and tends to resolve around the 4 month mark as babies mature. While the nightly crying can be nerve-wracking, it is usually just a phase as babies adjust to their new world.
Does the witching hour indicate a health problem?
In most cases, the witching hour does not indicate an underlying health issue in an otherwise normally developing newborn. However, it’s a good idea to discuss your baby’s fussy period with their doctor to rule out causes like reflux, allergies, constipation, or infection. Contact your pediatrician if the crying persists for more than a few hours at a time, happens after the 4 month mark, or if your baby seems in distress. Look for these red flags:
- High pitched, shrill, nonstop crying
- Drawing legs up towards chest
- Arched back
- Difficulty consoling or calming baby
- Apparent pain or discomfort
- Abnormal temperature, diarrhea, vomiting
- Poor feeding or weight loss
Any of these signs could indicate an illness or condition causing atypical excessive crying in a newborn.
Witching hour tips for tired parents
Coping with a fussy newborn during the witching hour can be exhausting for parents. Here are some tips to help you get through this challenging period:
- Take turns with your partner so you can take breaks
- Sleep or nap when baby sleeps during the day
- Accept help from family and friends to give you a break
- Buy noise-canceling headphones and listen to music to temporarily drown out the crying
- Join a new parent support group to vent and exchange advice
- Prioritize self-care like healthy food, exercise, relaxation techniques
- Remember the witching hour is temporary and will pass
- Don’t be afraid to put baby down in a safe space if needed while you regroup
Staying patient, asking for help when needed, and taking care of yourself will help you preserve your sanity until the witching hour passes.
Does the witching hour happen with second babies?
The witching hour can happen with second babies just as it does with firstborns. Each baby is different, so while parents may hope their next newborn won’t go through the same phase, the witching hour often still occurs. Contributing factors like overstimulation, gassiness, and immature sleep patterns affect every newborn. Having a toddler while also coping with an infant’s witching hour can exhaust parents. Setting up a tag team system with your partner, asking family for more help, and sticking to an early, calm bedtime routine can help manage two fussy kids.
Witching hour at 2 weeks old
Many parents report their newborn’s witching hour starting as early as 2 weeks old. This is common as by weeks 2-4, babies become more alert during their awake periods. Being overstimulated from increased noise, activity, and interaction during the day now starts to affect their ability to settle in the evenings. Growth spurts around 2 weeks also disrupt feeding routines and digestion which can contribute to fussiness. Setting an earlier bedtime and using soothing techniques like swaddling, white noise, and motion can help a 2 week old cope better during the witching hour.
Witching hour at 8 weeks
Many parents find the witching hour peaks in intensity around 6-8 weeks of age before starting to improve. By 8 weeks, babies are more aware of their surroundings and have had more exposure to stimulation throughout the day. They are also in the midst of major developmental changes as their nervous systems continue to develop and sleep-wake cycles begin maturing. The combination of overtiredness, overstimulation, and major mental and physical adjustments happening at 8 weeks old means the witching hour is often in full force. Remaining patient, sticking to a calming routine, and waiting it out helps babies overcome the 8 week witching hour.
Witching hour at 3 months
At 3 months old, most babies have started settling down in the evenings as the witching hour improving. Their increased ability to self-soothe, maturing nervous system development, and establishing circadian rhythm all help minimize the crying and fussiness. While the witching hour typically ends by months 3-4, some babies may continue sporadic unsettled evenings a while longer. By proactively setting an early bedtime with the same sleep cues each night, parents can help their 3 month old consolidate their new sleep habits.
Witching hour at 4 months
Four months is often considered the end point for the newborn witching hour in babies. Most infants have outgrown the cried-filled evenings by 4 months old as they learn to self-soothe and sleep more independently at bedtime. Continuing the same soothing, consistent bedtime routine each evening helps reinforce the positive sleep associations. If crying ramps up again at 4 months, it could signal the early onset of the 4 month sleep regression which is another common phase involving disrupted sleep.
Conclusion
The witching hour is a frequently occurring phenomenon in which newborns experience periods of inconsolable crying and fussiness, typically in the late afternoon or early evening hours. While the nightly distress can be taxing on parents, it is temporary and part of baby’s normal development. By understanding the causes, implementing calming techniques, and waiting it out, parents can help their newborn successfully outgrow the witching hour by around 4 months old. Consistency, patience and self-care help families endure this challenging newborn phase.