The Newborn Witching Hour: Why It Happens and How to Cope
The newborn witching hour can be exhausting, especially when nothing seems to help. Discover why it happens and some tips to help soothe your little one.
If your baby seems perfectly content during the day but becomes unsettled, fussy or difficult to soothe every evening, you're not alone.
You might have heard other parents talk about the witching hour. It's that frustrating stretch of the day when your baby seems to cry at everything, wants to be held constantly or feeds little and often, just when you're running out of energy yourself.
The good news is that evening fussiness is common in young babies, and it usually improves as they grow. That doesn't make it any less exhausting while you're going through it, though.
Here's what the newborn witching hour actually is, why it might be happening and what you can try to make those evenings a little easier.
What is the newborn witching hour?
The witching hour is an informal term for a period when a baby becomes particularly unsettled, often in the late afternoon or evening. Despite the name, it can last longer than an hour.
You might notice your baby:
- Crying more than they do at other times of the day.
- Wanting to be held constantly and becoming upset when you put them down.
- Feeding more frequently or wanting to suck for comfort.
- Seeming tired but struggling to settle to sleep.
- Becoming fussy even after you've checked their nappy, offered a feed and tried cuddling them.
Some babies experience this most evenings, while others have occasional unsettled periods or don't seem to experience it at all.
It's also worth remembering that the witching hour isn't a medical diagnosis. It's a way of describing a pattern of behaviour, rather than identifying a specific cause.
Why do babies get fussy in the evening?
There isn't one proven explanation for the witching hour. Several things may contribute to evening fussiness, and the reason can be different from one baby to another.
1. They're still learning to settle
Newborns are adjusting to life outside the womb. They need help regulating their emotions and settling when they're tired or overwhelmed.
Some babies find the transition from a busy day to a quieter evening particularly difficult. They might need more cuddles, movement or reassurance than usual.
2. They're tired or overstimulated
By the evening, your baby has experienced hours of light, noise, movement, feeds and interaction.
They may become unsettled if they're tired, have been awake longer than they can comfortably manage, or have had more stimulation than they can cope with.
That said, not every crying spell is caused by overtiredness. Sometimes a baby needs comfort without there being an obvious reason.
3. They're hungry or want to feed more often
Some newborns want to feed frequently over several hours, a pattern known as cluster feeding. This can be particularly noticeable in the evening.
If your baby is showing hunger cues, offer a feed. For bottle-fed babies, follow their hunger and fullness cues rather than trying to make them finish a particular amount.
Frequent feeding doesn't automatically mean you have a low milk supply or that your formula-fed baby needs a larger bottle. If you're concerned about their overall intake or weight gain, speak to your health visitor.
4. They may have wind or other discomfort
Wind, reflux, constipation and other sources of discomfort can make babies unsettled. However, crying alone doesn't tell you which, if any, is responsible.
If your baby regularly cries during or after feeds, arches their back, vomits frequently or seems uncomfortable, discuss the pattern with your health visitor or GP rather than assuming it's simply the witching hour.
5. It's part of normal early crying
Crying commonly increases during the first few weeks of life. It often reaches its highest level around six to eight weeks before gradually decreasing over the following months.
This means evening fussiness can be particularly noticeable during the early newborn stage, even when you're doing everything you can to comfort your baby.
When does the witching hour start and end?
There's no set age or time that applies to every baby, but these are useful general patterns to know.
- Birth to around two weeks: Your baby may still be settling into feeding, sleeping and life outside the womb.
- Around two to eight weeks: Crying often increases, and evening fussiness may become more noticeable.
- Around two to three months: Many babies begin to cry less and become easier to settle.
- By three to four months: Early infant crying has often reduced considerably, although some babies continue to have unsettled evenings.
These are broad patterns, not deadlines. Some babies settle earlier, while others take longer.
If your baby's crying is persistent, worsening or worrying you, don't feel you have to wait for them to grow out of it before asking for help.
7 things to try during the witching hour
You don't need a complicated routine or a cupboard full of products. Start with the basics and see what helps your baby.
1. Check their basic needs first
Before assuming your baby is overtired, take a moment to check whether they might be hungry, need a nappy change, feel too hot or cold, or need winding.
Look at the whole picture rather than relying on one cue. For example, sucking their hands can mean hunger, but it can also be a way of exploring or self-soothing.
2. Offer a feed if they're hungry
If your baby is showing hunger cues, offer a feed. Some babies want smaller feeds more frequently in the evening.
For bottle-fed babies, use paced feeding where appropriate, hold them comfortably and allow them to pause when they need to. Never force them to finish a bottle.
If feeding is consistently difficult or your baby is taking significantly less milk than usual, seek advice rather than attributing it to evening fussiness.
3. Reduce stimulation
Try dimming the lights, turning down the television and keeping interaction gentle.
You don't need to make the house completely silent. The aim is to create a calmer environment and see whether your baby responds to a slower pace.
Some babies become more settled when there's less going on around them.
4. Try holding, rocking or gentle movement
Being close to you can help your baby feel secure. You could try:
- Holding them against your chest while you're awake.
- Gentle rocking or walking around the room.
- Quiet singing, humming or talking.
- Skin-to-skin contact when you're comfortable and able to do so safely.
There isn't one technique that works for every baby. If one approach isn't helping, try something different rather than repeating the same thing until you're both exhausted.
5. Experiment with gentle background noise
Some babies settle with a consistent, gentle sound, such as quiet white noise or soft singing.
Keep the volume low, place any sound machine well away from your baby's head and never put it in the cot. Avoid loud or sudden sounds.
If it doesn't seem to help, there's no need to keep using it.
6. Watch for tiredness without chasing a perfect bedtime
Yawning, looking away, losing interest and slower movements can be signs that your baby needs a break or some sleep.
If you notice these signs, try offering a nap or beginning a calm bedtime routine. But don't worry if your baby is still unsettled despite your best efforts.
Newborn sleep is variable, and a particular wake window or bedtime won't prevent every crying spell.
7. Take turns and give yourself a break
This is just as important as finding ways to soothe your baby.
If you have a partner or another trusted adult available, take turns holding and comforting your baby. Even a short break to eat, shower or sit somewhere quiet can make the evening feel more manageable.
You don't have to spend every minute trying to stop the crying on your own.
If you feel overwhelmed, place your baby on their back in a clear, safe cot or Moses basket and step away for a few minutes while you regain your composure. Check on them again once you're calm.
Never shake your baby, no matter how distressed or frustrated you feel.
Is it the witching hour, colic or something else?
These terms can overlap, which makes it difficult to know what's going on.
Colic is generally used to describe repeated, prolonged crying in an otherwise healthy baby. It can be very difficult for families, and there's no single soothing technique that reliably works for every baby.
If your baby's crying is frequent or you're struggling to cope, your health visitor or GP can help you work out whether further assessment is needed.
When should you seek medical advice?
Evening fussiness is common, but it's important not to dismiss unusual or persistent crying as normal.
Contact your GP or NHS 111 promptly if your baby:
- Has a temperature of 38°C or above and is under three months old.
- Is feeding significantly less than usual or has noticeably fewer wet nappies.
- Has persistent vomiting, worsening symptoms or a cry that's unusual for them.
- Is crying constantly and cannot be consoled, particularly if this is new or getting worse.
Call 999 or seek emergency help if your baby has difficulty breathing, becomes blue or grey, is unresponsive or difficult to wake, has a seizure, or has a rash that doesn't fade when pressed.
Trust your instincts. If something doesn't seem right, it's always reasonable to seek advice.
Frequently asked questions
Does every baby have a witching hour?
No. Some babies have a clear pattern of evening fussiness, while others cry at different times or are relatively settled. Every baby is different.
Should I let my baby cry during the witching hour?
You don't need to leave a young baby to cry alone to teach them to settle. Responding to their cries and offering comfort is appropriate. If you're becoming overwhelmed, it's also okay to put your baby somewhere safe and take a short break.
Does the witching hour mean my baby is overtired?
Not necessarily. Tiredness can contribute, but hunger, overstimulation, discomfort and normal developmental crying can also play a part. Look at your baby's overall behaviour rather than assuming there's one explanation.
Should I change my baby's formula because they're unsettled?
Not without a good reason and, ideally, advice from a healthcare professional. Evening crying alone doesn't establish that a formula is unsuitable. If you notice ongoing feeding difficulties, frequent vomiting, blood in the poo or other concerning symptoms, speak to your health visitor or GP.
Can I prevent the witching hour?
Not always. A calmer evening, responding to hunger cues, offering comfort and avoiding excessive stimulation may help, but they won't necessarily stop every crying spell.
Try to focus on making the experience more manageable rather than finding a perfect routine that prevents all fussiness.
A final reminder: you're not doing anything wrong
The witching hour can be one of the hardest parts of the newborn stage. It often arrives when you're already tired, and it can feel disheartening when nothing seems to work.
Remember that your baby isn't deliberately being difficult, and their crying doesn't mean you're failing to meet their needs.
Keep checking the basics, offer comfort, ask for help when you need it and speak to a healthcare professional if you're concerned. You don't have to work everything out on your own.
A little help keeping track
When your days feel unpredictable, having a simple record of feeds, sleep and nappies can help you spot patterns over time.
Sprog is a free baby tracker designed by parents, for parents. You can log feeds, sleep and nappies in one place, helping you keep track of the basics without adding another complicated routine to your day.