Witching Hour in Babies: Why Babies Cry Every Evening and How to Help
Have you noticed that your baby seems perfectly happy all day but suddenly becomes fussy, clingy, or inconsolable every evening?
Many parents experience this and immediately wonder:
Is my baby sick?
Is it gas?
Is it colic?
Is my baby still hungry?
Am I doing something wrong?
If this sounds familiar, your baby may be experiencing the witching hour, a common phase that affects many newborns and young infants.
The good news is that in most cases, the witching hour in babies is temporary and gets better with time.
What Is Witching Hour in Infants?
The witching hour in infants refers to a period of increased crying, fussiness, and difficulty settling that usually occurs in the late afternoon or evening.
Despite the name, it is often not limited to just one hour. Some babies may cry for 30 minutes, while others may remain unsettled for several hours.
The witching hour typically occurs between:
5 PM and 10 PM
During the first few months of life
Around feeding or bedtime
Many parents describe it as a daily pattern where their baby suddenly becomes difficult to soothe despite being fed, changed, and comforted.
Why Does Witching Hour Happen?
Experts do not know the exact cause of witching hour in babies, but several factors may contribute.
1. An Immature Nervous System
Newborns are constantly learning to process sounds, lights, faces, and new experiences.
By evening, all this stimulation can become overwhelming, making babies more irritable and difficult to settle.
2. Overtiredness
An overtired baby often struggles to fall asleep.
As the day progresses, missed naps or shorter naps can lead to increased fussiness in the evening.
3. Cluster Feeding
Many babies naturally want to feed more frequently in the evening.
This behavior is known as cluster feeding and is especially common among breastfed babies.
Frequent feeding during this time does not automatically mean your milk supply is low.
4. Digestive Discomfort and Gas
A baby’s digestive system is still developing during the first few months.
Some babies may experience:
Gas
Mild tummy discomfort
Increased fussiness after feeds
This can make evening crying seem worse.
Signs Your Baby Is Experiencing Witching Hour
Common witching hour baby symptoms include:
Crying around the same time every evening
Becoming clingy and wanting to be held constantly
Feeding more often than usual
Difficulty settling for sleep
Fussiness despite a clean diaper and recent feed
Calming briefly before becoming upset again
Many babies appear completely healthy and content outside these evening episodes.
Witching Hour vs Colic: What’s the Difference?
Many parents confuse witching hour with colic.
Witching Hour
Usually happens in the evening
Follows a predictable pattern
Baby is generally happy outside the crying period
Often improves by 3 to 4 months
Colic
Can occur at any time of day
Often involves intense crying for long periods
May happen multiple days each week
Can last longer
If you are unsure whether your baby’s crying is normal, speak with your pediatrician.
Witching Hour vs Gas
One of the most common questions parents ask is:
“Is this witching hour or gas?”
Gas may cause symptoms such as:
Pulling legs toward the tummy
Arching the back
Passing excessive gas
Temporary relief after burping
The challenge is that some babies experience both gas and witching hour at the same time.
If your baby arches their back or appears uncomfortable after feeds, digestive discomfort could be contributing to their fussiness.
Is Cluster Feeding Connected to Witching Hour?
Yes.
Many babies cluster feed during the evening hours.
Parents often worry that:
“My baby wants to feed every 30 minutes. Does this mean I don’t have enough milk?”
In most cases, the answer is no.
Cluster feeding is a normal behavior that helps babies:
Feel comforted
Increase milk intake
Prepare for longer stretches of sleep
If your baby is gaining weight appropriately and producing enough wet diapers, frequent evening feeding is usually normal.
Can an Overtired Baby Trigger Witching Hour?
An overtired baby may have a harder time coping with normal daily stimulation.
Signs of an overtired baby include:
Rubbing eyes
Looking away from people
Increased fussiness
Difficulty feeding
Difficulty settling to sleep
Paying attention to wake windows and daytime naps may help reduce evening fussiness.
What To Do During Witching Hour
While there is no magic solution, these strategies often help.
Reduce Stimulation
Try:
Dimming the lights
Lowering noise levels
Turning off the television
Creating a calm environment
Try Skin-to-Skin Contact
Skin-to-skin contact can help many babies feel secure and relaxed.
Babywearing
Using a baby carrier may help comfort babies who want constant physical contact.
Offer More Frequent Feeds
If your baby seems hungry or comfort-seeking, additional feeds may help.
Go Outside
A short walk outdoors can sometimes change a baby’s mood and reduce fussiness.
Use White Noise
White noise may help some babies relax and settle more easily.
How To Deal With Witching Hour as a Parent
The witching hour can be exhausting.
Many parents feel:
Frustrated
Overwhelmed
Guilty
Helpless
Remember that your baby’s crying is not a reflection of your parenting.
If possible:
Take turns with your partner
Ask family members for help
Take short breaks when needed
Focus on getting through one evening at a time
This phase is temporary.
When Does Witching Hour Start?
Witching hour in babies often begins around:
2 to 3 weeks of age
It typically peaks between:
6 and 8 weeks
Some babies may experience only mild fussiness, while others may have intense evening crying.
When Does Witching Hour End?
One of the most searched questions is:
“When do babies outgrow witching hour?”
For most babies:
Symptoms improve around 3 months
Fussiness decreases significantly by 4 months
The phase often disappears completely as sleep and digestion mature
Every baby develops differently, so the timeline can vary.
Witching Hour by Age
Witching Hour in a 2-Month-Old Baby
This is one of the most common ages for evening fussiness because babies are still adjusting to life outside the womb.
Witching Hour in a 3-Month-Old Baby
Many babies begin showing improvement around this age, although some continue to experience evening crying.
Witching Hour in a 4-Month-Old Baby
By 4 months, most babies have significantly fewer witching hour episodes. However, sleep regressions and developmental changes can sometimes cause temporary fussiness.
Do All Babies Have a Witching Hour?
No.
Some babies experience a pronounced witching hour, while others have only mild evening fussiness or none at all.
Every baby is unique.
When Should You Call a Doctor?
Contact your healthcare provider if your baby:
Has a fever
Refuses feeds
Is difficult to wake
Has breathing difficulties
Is not gaining weight appropriately
Has a cry that sounds unusual or concerning
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, seek medical advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is witching hour for newborns?
Witching hour is a period of increased crying and fussiness that usually occurs in the evening during the first few months of life.
Why does my baby cry every evening?
Common reasons include overtiredness, cluster feeding, digestive discomfort, and an immature nervous system.
Do all babies experience witching hour?
No. Some babies experience significant evening fussiness, while others do not.
Is witching hour the same as colic?
No. Witching hour usually occurs at a predictable time in the evening, while colic can occur at different times of the day.
Can gas cause witching hour symptoms?
Gas can contribute to evening fussiness, but it is not always the sole cause.
Final Thoughts
If your baby cries every evening around the same time, you are not alone. Many parents experience the newborn witching hour and worry that something is wrong.
In most cases, this phase is a normal part of infant development. While it can be exhausting, it is temporary.
Offer comfort, stay patient, ask for help when needed, and remember that your baby is learning how to navigate a brand-new world.
With time, the witching hour usually fades, and calmer evenings return.