Proven Strategies For Surviving the Witching Hour

As a parent, if you haven’t already encountered the infamous witching hour, chances are you’re anticipating it! It’s that frustrating, almost magical period in the evening where your usually calm baby transforms into a fussing, squirming, inconsolable little bundle. Suddenly, everything you’ve tried to soothe them just doesn’t seem to work. It’s tough! But trust me, you’re not alone, and more importantly—this phase will pass.

The witching hour typically strikes between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m., leaving you exhausted and feeling like you’re the only one up against a crying, overtired little one. It can seem like an eternity. But what if you knew exactly what was happening and how to handle it? Let’s dive into why it happens and how you can survive it with some proven strategies that actually work!

Just like creating a peaceful environment for your baby during the witching hour, a little preparation and understanding can make all the difference.

“Sometimes the strength of motherhood is greater than natural laws.”
– Barbara Kingsolver

A Baby in Onesie Crying while Lying Down on Crib

Why Does the Witching Hour Happen?

The witching hour might sound like a mysterious or supernatural event, but in reality, it’s just your baby’s way of showing you they’re struggling with a few common factors. Here are the main reasons your little one might become extra fussy during this time:

1. Overtiredness: The Sleepy Struggle

One of the most common causes of witching hour fussiness is overtiredness. Babies have short wake windows, and if they stay awake too long without a nap, they become overstimulated and overtired. This leads to a buildup of cortisol—the stress hormone—which keeps them from falling asleep even though they’re clearly exhausted.

Tip: Keep a close eye on your baby’s awake time, and aim to get them down for a nap before they reach the tipping point of overtiredness. It may mean shortening the time between naps, but it will help avoid that cranky evening meltdown.

2. Undertiredness: When Baby’s Not Ready for Bed

On the flip side, some babies don’t get enough activity during the day. Long naps, a lack of stimulation, or an earlier-than-usual bedtime might leave them not quite tired enough to settle down for the night.

Tip: Adjust your baby’s nap schedule during the day to ensure they’re more tired and ready for sleep by the time evening rolls around.

3. Trapped Wind or Digestive Discomfort

Trapped air or gas in a baby’s tummy can cause a lot of distress, especially by evening. After a long day of feeding, if your baby hasn’t been burped properly, it can lead to uncomfortable trapped wind. Additionally, reflux (where milk comes back up the esophagus) can also be more bothersome in the evening hours.

Tip: Make sure your baby is burped well after each feed. If your baby continues to squirm or seem uncomfortable, a gentle tummy massage or a warm compress might help relieve the discomfort.

4. Cluster Feeding: Feeding Frenzy

Around the witching hour, many babies go into a pattern known as cluster feeding. This is when babies nurse more frequently for comfort and nourishment. While it’s perfectly normal, it can leave you feeling drained as your baby seems to want to nurse every hour.

Tip: If your baby is cluster feeding, try offering a pacifier or gently rocking them in your arms. And most importantly—take breaks when you can! Your partner or support person can step in so you get a few moments to recharge.

5. Overstimulation: When the World Becomes Too Much

The evening can be chaotic in many households—dinner prep, the end of the workday, and everyone winding down. All this noise and activity can overwhelm your baby, who is still adjusting to the world around them.

Tip: Create a calm, peaceful environment by dimming the lights, reducing noise, and limiting activity around your baby during this time. A little extra quiet time can work wonders for settling them down.

“Trust yourself. Think about it. You were chosen to bring this new soul into the world, and that is something to celebrate.”
– Unknown

My Story: Navigating the Witching Hour

I know firsthand how overwhelming the witching hour can be. When my baby girl was around 4 to 6 weeks old, we faced our own version of the witching hour every evening. She would not settle unless I offered her the breast every hour, and sometimes it felt like she was feeding nonstop. Part of me wondered if she was truly cluster feeding, or if she was simply seeking comfort as she fought off sleep.

In reality, sometimes she was cluster feeding, and other times she was actually overtired. During those weeks, I was still getting to know my baby. No matter what I did, it often felt like the fussing wouldn’t stop until, eventually, she would drift off into an exhausted sleep. It was tough, but I came to realize that this phase was about building a stronger connection with her. I began to recognize her cues more clearly and gained confidence in meeting her needs.

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Practical Tips for Easing the Witching Hour

Now that we’ve covered why the witching hour happens, let’s talk about what you can do to soothe your baby and keep your sanity intact! These practical tips are tried-and-true strategies that can help make the evening fussiness a little more bearable:

Fresh Air: Sometimes, a little change of scenery is all it takes to calm a fussy baby. A quick stroll around the block or a few minutes outside in the fresh air can be incredibly calming. Plus, the motion of the stroller or carrier can soothe them, helping to prepare them for a peaceful night’s sleep.
White Noise: A quick stroll around the block or a few minutes outside in the fresh air can be incredibly calming. Plus, the motion of the stroller or carrier can soothe them, helping to prepare them for a peaceful night’s sleep. Make sure the white noise is loud enough to match your baby’s cries, but not so overwhelming that it’s jarring.
Baby Massage: Gentle baby massage can work wonders for relaxing your baby’s body and mind. Use soft, rhythmic strokes around their tummy or on their back to ease any gas and help slow their heart rate. It’s a wonderful bonding experience and can help calm both of you!
Warm Bath: A warm bath is another great way to calm a fussy baby before bedtime. The warm water, paired with a bit of gentle massage, helps ease discomfort and relax your baby into a sleepy state. If bath time is a favorite of your little one, moving it to the evening can help signal that it’s time to wind down.
Skin-to-Skin Contact: Babies thrive on closeness to their caregivers. If your baby is particularly fussy, try holding them close to your chest. Your heartbeat and familiar scent can be incredibly soothing and may be just what they need to settle.
Baby Carrier or Sling: If you’re trying to juggle multiple tasks – making dinner, looking after older children – consider using a baby carrier or sling. The motion of walking, combined with being close to you, can help calm your baby while giving you the freedom to get things done. It’s a win-win!
Switch Caregivers: Sometimes, a change of hands is all it takes. Babies can pick up on their caregiver’s stress! If you’re feeling overwhelmed, handing your baby off to your partner or a family member for a while might help. A change of hands can help reset the mood and offer you a much-needed break.

“There is such a thing as a tired soul. There is such a thing as a soul that has been away from its Mother too long.”
– C. JoyBell C.

When to Seek Help

It’s normal for babies to be fussy during the witching hour, but if the crying seems excessive or persistent (more than a few hours), or if your baby shows signs of pain, trouble feeding, or poor weight gain, it’s time to reach out to your pediatrician. Conditions like reflux, allergies, or digestive issues might be at play, and it’s important to rule these out.

Final Thoughts

The witching hour can feel like the hardest part of your day, but remember: It’s just a phase! With patience, understanding, and a few soothing strategies, you’ll get through it. There will be nights when nothing works, and that’s okay. Parenting is all about trial and error, and the key is to keep trying different things until something sticks.

As a parent who has lived through the witching hour with my own baby girl, I can tell you— it gets easier! You’ll find what works for your baby and develop a routine that makes the evenings smoother. And before you know it, this challenging phase will be behind you!

Proven Strategies For Surviving the Witching Hour

“Sometimes the strength of motherhood is greater than natural laws.”
– Barbara Kingsolver