Frequent evening crying can be challenging for parents. As new parents, you finally bring your little bundle of joy home from the hospital. What now? Lay them in the crib? Feed them? Change them? The worries and fears of a “beginner” are understandable. After a few days, just when you think you’re getting the hang of taking care of this new being, the so-called witching hour proves you wrong. As evening approaches, your newborn suddenly starts crying uncontrollably. How is this possible? They’re well-fed, not suffering from colic, yet they won’t stop crying, sometimes for hours. What’s happening?
The Witching Hour Can Ruin Sleep
During the witching hour, nothing may soothe your newborn. Feeding, pacifiers, and rocking often don’t help. The heart-wrenching, unbearable crying might stop after an hour, or sometimes it lasts even longer. Some moms say they can “camp out” on the couch with their baby in their arms for up to four hours every evening. These evening episodes are not only hard to listen to but also disrupt the baby’s sleep. A baby that cries for hours often doesn’t nap, and even if they do, they may not sleep well through the night.
When Colic Isn’t the Cause
Many parents believe that their baby is suffering from colic, as it also involves prolonged and intense crying, typically starting in the late afternoon or evening. However, it is estimated that only about 20% of babies experience true colic. There is no known cause for it, but it is believed to be related to digestive issues, such as gas or discomfort in the abdomen. For more information, check out the article on the Missing Fourth Trimester.
How to Handle Evening Irritability
If your baby isn’t suffering from colic, they might be crying because:
- They might be overtired: If your baby doesn’t have proper sleep habits, overtiredness can be one of the reasons for evening restlessness. When sleep debt accumulates, the baby becomes exhausted and irritable. Focus on their sleep. If they don’t sleep well during the day, they’re likely to fuss at night too. You can improve their sleep by swaddling them, using blackout curtains, white noise, and maintaining good sleep hygiene.
- There may have been too many stimuli during the day: Lights, noise, and the sounds of various activities. Your little one may not be actively involved, but they perceive and observe everything. By late afternoon, they can become so “overstimulated” that they express their discomfort by crying.
- They might be experiencing gas: If you’re breastfeeding, be mindful of what you eat. Every baby is different and reacts differently. You may not realize that the coffee you had earlier is causing them discomfort. It might be necessary to temporarily eliminate spicy foods, for example. Also, ensure your baby burps after feeding to release any trapped air.
- They might just need to “refuel” with milk: Experts have noted that babies tend to have a bigger appetite in the evening and may want to feed more frequently than during the day.
- They may need more attention: In the evening, you may be busy with household chores—cooking dinner, helping an older child with homework, etc. Try carrying your baby in a wrap or carrier. This not only provides close contact, which calms them, but also frees your hands for other tasks.
There is no quick fix to permanently eliminate the witching hour. It’s better to let time pass—babies will eventually outgrow it. Sometimes all you need to do is rock them, dance with them, or cradle them, so they feel your presence. Remember, for nine months, you provided these services 24/7, and now it’s suddenly different. The last piece of advice: just breathe through the witching hour and remind yourself that it’s just a phase that will soon pass.