Let’s discuss what the witching hour is, why the witching hour happens, and tips to help you cope with the witching hour in your household.

So, what is the witching hour?

This is a period of increased wakefulness, fussiness, or crying in your little one in the later part of the day. It can start anywhere from 3 p.m., and for some families, they deal with this for hours into the night. 

Why does witching hour happen?

From a sleep perspective, the witching hour happens when your baby has not had good rest during the day. Either you’ve stretched baby to stay awake for too long, or they haven’t gotten the total amount of sleep that they need. 

In the late afternoon and evening, it usually feels like fighting an uphill battle to get your little one to sleep in their own space. This is because your baby’s homeostatic sleep pressure (their drive to sleep) is very low in the afternoons.

Feeding issues can also contribute to this increased fussy period. If baby seems to be constantly hungry, you want to make sure they are feeding properly and getting a full tummy each time. Another possibility is that your child may have reflux. This can cause more physical discomfort in the later part of the day, particularly after continuous feedings. Definitely check in with your little one’s doctor if you suspect feeding difficulties may play a role in your baby’s evening behaviours.

Tips to help you cope with the witching hour

There are several ways you can cope with witching hour. 

First, try to get yourself some support during this time. It’s helpful to ‘change hands’ with a partner or caregiver, especially when the crying reaches extremes. You’ll be better able to regulate yourself and stay calm during the witching hour if you don’t have to manage this all on your own.

Another option that works well is to get out for a walk with your baby. Use that carrier or wrap that you chose so carefully. It’s a magical way to help your little one get some much-needed rest. And even though you won’t be able to take a break while baby wearing, you’ll at least have arms free. That extra freedom for your little one to get some snugly time will help them calm down. They may even fall asleep.

A white noise machine, used at a safe distance from baby (to avoid hearing issues associated with noise machines being played too closely or too loudly), is also a good calming distraction.

If all else fails, try some skin to skin contact with your baby in a dark quiet room. Take some nice deep breaths while you hold them. It will help you calm down and soon they will too.

Learn more and get the change you need

Learn about your baby’s age-appropriate wake windows and follow them. If you purchase The Better Sleep Bundle for Babies (for just $12!) you’ll get guidelines on how long they should be awake between sleep periods. The bundle includes a guide for newborns too. These are one of the proven tools I use with my one-to-one clients and they make a huge difference in your baby’s ability to get the quality sleep they need.

The good news is witching hour will get better. If you follow these tips, it will last for shorter and shorter stretches of time until it completely disappears from your routine.