Imagine this – you’ve fed them, changed their diapers, rocked them and tried every other trick in the book, but nothing seems to work. Does that sound familiar? Welcome to the baby witching hour. If you are a new parent and you might have experienced early-evening or late-afternoon meltdowns when, every trick to soothe the baby feels in vain. Although it has a spooky name, this phase is very common and completely normal in infancy. But what infant witching hour actually is? What are the causes of the witching hour, baby? Well, let’s find out! 

What is the baby witching hour?

The term witching hour baby refers to the phase of the day when the baby becomes especially cranky, fussy and difficult to soothe. The phase is mostly late afternoon and early evening. This starts from as early as a few weeks after birth and can last up to four months. While it can feel overwhelming, rest assured that it is very common in the developmental phases of infancy. 

During the infant witching hour, a baby may cry excessively, resist feeding, and only soothe when held. Although the name of the phase might make it mysterious, there is nothing supernatural about it. It happens with every new parent. It’s a challenging time for both parents and baby, but know that it will pass soon. 

Why do some babies have a witching hour?

Well, there is no significant cause for the witching hour baby, but multiple factors may contribute to it. 

• Throughout the day, the baby gets a lot of new sights and sounds. By the evening, their brains may become overwhelmed due to all that’s happening around them. Due to this, they feel fussy. 

• Some babies may need to be fed more often than others in the evening. This hunger may make them cranky. 

• Gas, reflux, or an immature digestive system also make them more fussy and cranky. 

• An overtired baby makes it difficult for you to calm them down. That’s why you might have experienced infant witching hours more often after you hang out with your baby. 

• In the evening, baby wants extra cuddles and closeness, and they can become fussy and cranky as a sign that they need more attention. 

When the witching hour starts and when it ends

The witching hour usually begins in the late afternoon or early evening, often between 5:00 PM and 11:00 PM. For some babies, it may last only 30 minutes, while for others, it can stretch on for hours. While this period can be exhausting, it’s important to remember that it won’t last forever.

Most babies outgrow the witching hour by three to four months old as their nervous systems mature and their sleep patterns become more predictable. In the meantime, creating a calming evening routine, offering extra feedings, using white noise, and holding your baby close can all help make this phase more manageable.

Though the witching hour can test your patience, it’s just one of many phases in your baby’s development. With time, consistency, and a little extra TLC, both you and your baby will get through it!