What is Witching hour? How on earth do I calm baby down?
Witching hour is something that has little scientific data on it, but we know it is very much something that can happen when we see little ones around us. Because there isn’t as much data on the subject, it is quite hard to explain and work out what is actually going on. It could be a handful of things, so hopefully you may find something that helps soothe your little one.
What is witching hour?
Most commonly, we see witching hour anywhere from 5pm to 11pm. It may be just for an hour or it can be longer. It’s that time of day that can particularly feel quite challenging and overwhelming. The baby may not want to be put down, regularly crying, cluster feeding, and potentially being a lot fussier, which can make it seem impossible to soothe them.
It can quite simply drive the calmest parent into a frenzy, and I don’t blame them. It's already a very busy part of the day, let alone adding a little baby who is in need of constant support.
Why do babies have witching hours?
For reassurance, not every little one will go through this. The limited research that is out there talks about how the average age is around 2-3 weeks when it can start, hopefully ending around the 12-week mark, which again can be different for each little one. The two case studies that provide factual insight mostly look at little ones being either overtired or under tired during this period of time, which could be a big factor in the witching hour.
Under tired
Hear me out, this does sound quite crazy considering that we mostly see this the other way around and we don’t think that quite possibly with a baby this could be an issue, but if we see some of these things down below they could be an indicator that the little one may end up having a long extended wake time or “witching hour.” Signs could look like:
Long naps 2-3 hours per naptime during the day
Very short wake window
Only waking for feeding
Long wake windows overnight
Frequent wake-ups at night
These all can have an effect. Most of the time, the little one will grow out of this, but you can support this as well. Focusing on nap times first could involve rejigging them and seeing if you can focus on one wake window to support them and see if it can be lightly extended. Getting them outside can be a great support for them to feel the daylight and air, which can support them more than we know.
Overtiredness
I feel often we get particularly scared of the thought of an overtired little one. It can bring lots of guilt and worry, but I promise you that you are doing a fab job, and learning about your growing, evolving baby is and can be hard. Overtiredness can look like:
Difficulty putting down for naps
Short 45-minute naps
Long wake windows regularly for their age
Not showing obvious sleep cues.
Overtiredness can again be conquered by adjusting nap times and supporting the way little ones nap (which you can find in my first 12 weeks of sleep download).
Witching hour may not just be about tiredness levels. Other things to look out for can be:
Overstimulation—if you have had a new type of crazy day, maybe been out, there's been more noise or even stresses in your life (which is completely normal).
Gassiness—could be your little one's body getting used to digestion, as well as periods of the day that could feel more gassy. Simple movements can support this.
Hunger—your little one could just find themselves having massive hunger bursts, and sometimes you can find that around the evening. If they have had irregular feeding patterns throughout the day, you may see the evening become more frequent.
Could it be colic?
Colic is different from witching. With colic, you may find your little one regularly in a state of frenzy or distress, whereas witching hour is a short period of the day, mainly in the evening, not consistently throughout the day. If you are concerned, then do go see a healthcare professional or a feeding specialist for advice and support. Solving colic quickly can be supportive not just for the baby, but for yourself too.
Okay, so what now?
Little ones' sleep does change rapidly over the few months, so please don’t worry that you may have a “broken baby.” I promise you that you don’t. I have a great download on the first 12 weeks of sleep that can be incredibly helpful.
Quick things you can do outside of supporting overtiredness or under-tired little ones:
Go for a walk—especially if you think they may be overstimulated. This helps give them some air, feel the daylight, and support their circadian rhythm.
White noise—White noise resembles being back in the womb. Having this can support them to feel reassured and supported during this time.
Baby massage—I will forever tell you how amazing baby massage can be; it is such a great tool in your pocket. If you can’t get out to classes, then please do look on YouTube. It is such a great regulation tool to support your baby.
Babywear—Babywearing can be a lifesaver. Having them on your body near your heart can not only settle your little one but also help regulate yourself in those hard moments as well.
Dim lights—Dim the lights and try music, sensory lights, as well as stories (reading stories could help keep you sane through this moment).
Skin-to-skin—This tool works wonders; the regulation of this for both you and your baby is beneficial. Get cosy, settle with a blanket over you, and maybe have a good TV programme so your little one can rest.
Bathtime—Bathtime can create overstimulation, but it can also regulate their sleep too. Adding this on the crazy nights could help calm and get rid of some under-tiredness.
Ask for help—Is there anyone who can physically or virtually support you through these hours? Can you perhaps get paid help from a doula or sleep consultant? All things to think about to help benefit this time.
I also have downloads on different areas that can help support you through the first 12 weeks of sleep find out more here.
