I had no idea what the witching hour was until I experienced it myself. It was the evening, and I was already exhausted from the day. My baby wouldn’t stop crying, no matter what I did. I tried everything—using the carrier, the stroller, taking a walk, putting her in the bassinet, the crib, the couch, the swing—nothing worked!
She was still uncomfortable and miserable, and needless to say, so was I.
I remember even bathtime, which was supposed to be relaxing, turned into a disaster. I couldn’t understand why! Wasn’t the warm water supposed to calm her? And what about that lavender body wash everyone swore by? Yet there we were, both crying at the same time, overwhelmed and exhausted.
After a few days of this, my pediatrician mentioned something called The Witching Hour… and my first thought was, What? That sounded like something my mom or grandma would say—some old myth, like keeping your baby in the living room so they “get used to noise” (spoiler: that one’s not true). But as my doctor explained, it finally clicked. It didn’t make the crying stop, but at least I knew it wasn’t something I was doing wrong.
What Is the Witching Hour?
The Witching Hour is that time in the evening, usually between 5 and 11 PM, when your baby becomes inconsolable. They are overstimulated and overtired from the day, and despite your best efforts, they resist sleep and any soothing attempts. It’s tough, but completely normal. The good news? It’s just a phase. The not-so-good news? Sometimes, you just have to ride it out.
What Can You Do to Make It Better?
While there’s no magic solution, here are a few things that can help:
Call for Backup If you have a partner, family member, or friend who can help, let them step in. Even if your baby is still fussy, someone else holding them for 10–20 minutes can give you a much-needed break to take a shower or grab a quick meal.
Fresh Air Reset Taking your baby outside for a walk in the stroller or a carrier can work wonders. Even if they’re still crying, the change in environment can help both of you feel a little better. Covering the stroller to make it darker and adding white noise might even help your baby fall asleep.
Try All the Soothing Techniques Skin-to-skin contact, rocking, bouncing, patting, and holding your baby in different positions—some days, one might work better than others. Keep trying!
Cluster Feed If Needed If your baby seems to want to nurse or take a bottle more often during this time, let them. Sometimes they need the extra comfort and calories before settling down for the night.
Sneak in a Nap Since overtiredness is often the cause, attempting a nap—even if it’s in your arms—might help. Don’t worry about “bad habits” right now. Just focus on getting through the evening.
Remember, It’s Just a Phase
It won’t last forever. Your baby will grow out of it, and soon, evenings won’t feel so overwhelming. In the meantime, take care of yourself, ask for help, and know that you’re doing an amazing job—even when it feels like nothing is working.
Have you experienced the Witching Hour? Let me know in the comments how you got through it!
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