TL;DR
If your baby turns into a different person every evening — crying, refusing sleep, and hard to soothe - you’re not imagining it. The “witching hour” is real. It’s caused by overstimulation, fatigue, hunger, and normal neurological development. The good news? It’s temporary and completely normal.
5-Point Summary
- The witching hour usually happens between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m.
- It’s driven by overtiredness, overstimulation, and digestive discomfort.
- Babies cry more in the evenings as their nervous systems mature.
- Predictable, calm routines can help ease the chaos.
- It passes by around 3–4 months as babies learn to self-regulate.
What Is the Witching Hour?
If your baby seems calm all day but unravels every evening, welcome to what parents call the witching hour. It’s a period - usually between late afternoon and bedtime — when crying peaks and soothing seems impossible.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, many babies cry more in the evenings during their first three months of life. It’s not a sign that something is wrong - it’s a developmental phase that most babies outgrow.
Why It Happens
Evening fussiness isn’t random. It’s a mix of biology, exhaustion, and overstimulation building up over the day.
1. Overtiredness
By evening, babies have used up most of their energy from short naps and constant stimulation. When they become overtired, their bodies release stress hormones like cortisol, making it harder to settle.
2. Overstimulation
Lights, sounds, and constant interaction can overwhelm a baby’s developing nervous system. By nightfall, they need help to calm down - but they don’t yet know how to do that themselves.
3. Hunger and Cluster Feeding
Many babies naturally “cluster feed” in the evenings, nursing more frequently to boost milk supply and prepare for longer nighttime sleep. If feedings are spaced too far apart, evening hunger can add to the chaos.
4. Digestive Discomfort
Newborn digestive systems are still developing. Gas, reflux, or trapped air from feeding can cause discomfort, which often peaks around the same time each day.
5. Neurological Growth
Studies show that crying increases between 2–8 weeks of age as babies’ brains and sensory systems develop (PubMed). This period is their nervous system “learning curve.”
How Long It Lasts
The witching hour usually begins around 2–3 weeks old, peaks around 6–8 weeks, and fades by 12–16 weeks. Every baby is different, but it always passes.
Once your baby’s sleep cycles lengthen and they can handle more stimulation, evenings naturally calm down.
How to Cope During the Witching Hour
1. Watch for Early Sleep Cues
Yawning, zoning out, or rubbing eyes mean it’s time to start winding down. Catching these signs early prevents overtiredness later.
2. Create a Calm Environment
Lower the lights, reduce noise, and avoid overstimulating play. Babies relax faster in quiet, dim surroundings that mimic nighttime.
3. Offer Comfort Through Movement
Gentle rocking, slow walks, or rhythmic patting can help regulate their breathing and soothe their nervous system.
4. Feed More Frequently in the Evenings
Cluster feeding is completely normal. Offering the breast or bottle more often can help your baby feel settled and ready for rest.
5. Take Shifts and Breathe
Evenings can be draining. If possible, trade off with a partner for short breaks. Stepping away for five minutes can make a big difference in your patience and calm.
6. White Noise and Gentle Cues
A consistent sound (like white noise or soft humming) can block external distractions and signal safety.
When to Check with a Doctor
If your baby cries for hours every evening despite your best efforts, talk to your pediatrician. Persistent, intense crying accompanied by vomiting, poor feeding, or unusual stiffness can indicate reflux or colic.
Otherwise, fussiness alone - even daily - is completely normal.
The Takeaway
The witching hour feels endless when you’re in it, but it’s not a reflection of your parenting. It’s simply your baby’s way of adjusting to life outside the womb.
You’re not doing anything wrong. Your baby isn’t broken. They’re learning how to exist in the world - and you’re their guide through it.
In a few short weeks, those exhausting evenings will fade, replaced by calmer nights and predictable rhythms. Until then, remind yourself: this stage is tough, but it’s temporary — and you’re doing an incredible job.