Surviving the Witching Hour: Tips and Tricks for Soothing Your Baby
What is the Witching Hour?
Just when you start feeling confident in your parenting skills, the witching hour, sometimes called cluster feeding, comes along to make you question everything. It’s that stretch of time, usually between 5 and 11 PM, when your baby suddenly becomes inconsolable, and no amount of rocking, feeding, or shushing seems to help. It’s one of those universal parenting struggles that leave even the most patient parents checking the clock and counting the minutes until bedtime.
The good news? It’s completely normal. Most babies experience this phase starting around 2 to 3 weeks old, peaking at 6 weeks, and fading by the time they reach 3 to 4 months. It won’t last forever (even though in the moment, it might feel like it will).
Why the Evening Drama?
Babies, like adults, have limits, and evenings often push them to theirs. Here's why this time can be tough for your little one:
Overstimulation: After a full day of taking in new sights, sounds, and experiences, your baby’s little brain is maxed out. By evening, all that excitement turns into fussiness.
Overtiredness: You know that feeling after pulling an all-nighter, or skipping your morning coffee? Well, your baby gets cranky when they miss a nap. Watching their wake windows can help you spot sleep cues early, before a meltdown begins.
Hunger: Evening hunger is real (ask any adult who’s gotten a little hangry before dinner). Babies often want to cluster feed in the evenings to fill up before a longer stretch of sleep, and if they don’t get enough milk right away, frustration can set in fast
Immature Digestive System: Young infants' digestive tracts are still maturing, which can lead to struggles with gas and stomach discomfort, sometimes even causing pain.
If this sounds all too familiar, don’t worry—there are ways to help make the witching hour more manageable.
"How Can I Deal With This?"
The question we all desperately want answered. The witching hour might not come with an easy off-switch, but there are ways to dial down the chaos. A few small adjustments can make evenings much smoother—for both you and your baby:
Run Through Your Checklist: It might seem obvious, but when you're in the thick of trying to calm the crying, it's easy to miss the simple things. Is their diaper clean? Are they too hot or cold? Do they need to burp? Are they hungry? Sometimes, the basics are the quickest fix.
Adjust Bedtime: Sometimes, an earlier bedtime can prevent overtiredness from setting in. Pay attention to your baby’s sleep cues, such as yawning, rubbing their eyes, and zoning out, and try putting them down before they reach full meltdown mode.
Change the Scenery: What does your house look like at 5 PM? That's typically when everyone's home, the TV's blaring, and the chaos begins. Try taking your little one to a quiet, dimly lit room, or head outside for a gentle stroll or a car ride. Sometimes, a simple change of environment can make all the difference.
Swaddle for Comfort: A snug swaddle can work wonders, mimicking the cozy, secure feeling of the womb. Just be sure to follow safe swaddling practices!
Create a Calming Routine: Babies thrive on consistency. Establishing a routine with things like warm baths, soft music, or gentle rocking can help signal to your little one that it's time to start settling down for the night.
Sanity-Saving Tips for Parents
Please remember this: Your feelings matter—yes, that's right. You're more than a caregiver; you're someone who can feel overwhelmed, overtired, and hungry too. Here are some strategies to help preserve your sanity during the witching hour:
Use Headphones: No, this isn’t neglectful! In fact, it's quite the opposite. It’s perfectly okay to wear some headphones (especially noise-cancelling ones) and listen to your favorite music or podcast.
Take Breaks: Stepping away for a few minutes to catch your breath is sometimes necessary. It’s okay to put your baby down safely for a few minutes—you can’t give what you don’t have.
Stay Hydrated and Nourished: Keep water and snacks handy. If you're running on empty, you won’t have much to give.
Be Realistic and Kind to Yourself: It may seem like you're doing everything wrong when your baby won't stop crying, but remember, you're doing your best. This phase is temporary, and you're doing great.
Final Thoughts and Reminders
With every day that goes by, you're one step closer to leaving this phase behind. Hang in there, you've got this.
If the witching hour or any part of newborn life feels like too much to handle, don’t hesitate to lean on your support system. Whether it’s family, friends, or a postpartum doula, having someone to offer guidance, reassurance, or even just a much-needed break can make all the difference.
**If you’re wondering how a doula can support you during this time, check out our blog on "The Role of a Doula in Birth and Postpartum" to find out how.
The key is to experiment, stay patient (easier said than done, we know), and remind yourself that this phase won’t last forever. For now, take a deep breath, grab some water (or let’s be real—coffee), and remind yourself: you’ve got this.
All my (dou)love,
Kim
