BABY WITCHING HOUR

If your baby is calm during the day but becomes unusually fussy in the evening, you’re likely dealing with something known as the baby witching hour. This common but challenging phase leaves many parents wondering if something is wrong—especially when nothing seems to soothe their little one.

According to the NHS, increased crying and fussiness in the evenings is normal in young babies and can be linked to sensory overload, hunger, tiredness, or the natural adjustment to life outside the womb.

In this post, we’ll explain what the baby witching hour is, why it happens, and how to calm your baby when they seem most unsettled.

What Is the Baby Witching Hour?

The baby witching hour refers to a stretch of time—typically between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m.—when newborns and young infants become increasingly fussy, clingy, or inconsolable, often without an obvious reason.

It usually begins around 2 to 3 weeks of age, peaks between 6 to 8 weeks, and often improves by the time your baby is 3 to 4 months old. Many parents notice that their baby cries more, feeds more frequently, or struggles to settle during this evening window.

These challenges often overlap with baby growth spurts, when your little one is rapidly developing and may need to feed more often, wake more frequently, or seek more comfort and closeness.

👉 Explore the stages of a baby growth spurt and how they affect sleep and feeding.

Additionally, the witching hour may intensify during a baby sleep regression, such as the common 6–8 week regression, when previously developing sleep patterns temporarily fall apart.

👉 Read about surviving the 8-week sleep regression and how to stay on track.

Common Signs of the Baby Witching Hour:

• Frequent, inconsolable crying

• Cluster feeding (wanting to feed every 30–60 minutes)

• Short naps or fighting sleep

• Restlessness even when held

• Fussiness without a clear caus

• Appear overtired or overstimulated

While the name sounds dramatic, it’s simply a sign that your baby is adjusting to life outside the womb.

The Link Between Cluster Feeding and the Baby Witching Hour

One of the key behaviors during the witching hour is cluster feeding—when your baby wants to feed frequently in a short period.

This isn’t just about hunger. Cluster feeding during the evening serves multiple purposes:

• Helps babies settle before longer nighttime sleep

• Supports milk supply if breastfeeding

• Provides comfort during periods of emotional or sensory overload

👉 Read more: What Is Cluster Feeding and How to Cope

How to Soothe a Fussy Baby in the Evenings

Managing the baby witching hour can be tiring, but with the right strategies, you can get through it with more calm and confidence. Here’s how to help your baby — and yourself — during this unsettled time.

1. Feed Responsively

Let your baby cluster feed if they want to. Feeding more often in the evenings is completely normal and helps regulate both their hunger and emotional needs — especially during growth spurts.

2. Create a Calming Environment

Lower the lights, reduce noise, and minimise stimulation in the late afternoon and evening. A calm setting helps prevent sensory overload.

3. Try Skin-to-Skin Contact

Holding your baby close, especially skin-to-skin, helps regulate their nervous system and brings a sense of warmth and safety.

4. Use Gentle Motion

Rocking, swaying, or going for a walk  with your baby in a carrier can help settle them and make them feel secure

If using a pram with a car seat-style attachment, limit time to 30 minutes for newborns and up to 2 hours for older babies, in line with safe sleep guidelines.

5. Offer Soothing Sounds

White noise, gentle music, or soft singing can mimic the sounds your baby heard in the womb and help block out overstimulation.

6. Look After Yourself Too

Evening fussiness is challenging. Ask for help, rest when you can, and give yourself grace — you’re doing your best.

7. Give a massage or warm bath

A relaxing routine may help ease tension (massage only after 1 month old).

When Crying Doesn’t Stop: What to Watch For

While the baby witching hour is normal, excessive crying could point to something more:

• Colic – Distressed crying in the evenings with no obvious cause may indicate colic. Colic is defined by the “Rule of Threes”:
  A baby who cries for more than 3 hours a day, more than 3 days a week, for at least 3 weeks, without any obvious cause.

• Feeding difficulties – Crying during or after feeds might suggest reflux or latch issues.

• Illness – Unusual crying paired with fever, vomiting, or drowsiness may require medical attention.

• Parental burnout – If you’re feeling overwhelmed, it’s okay to step away briefly and take a moment to breathe.

Never shake your baby. If you feel you’re reaching your limit, place them safely in their cot and ask someone for help, or call Cry-sis on 0800 448 0737 or visit the Cry-sis website.

Need Extra Help?

The witching hour can be intense — but support is available. If you’re struggling with crying, sleep, or settling your baby, we’ve created a guide just for you.

👉 Explore our Newborn Sleep Guide with Baby Settling Techniques
This expert-designed guide is packed with tools to help you confidently settle and soothe your baby — especially during the most challenging hours of the day.

When Does the Baby Witching Hour End?

The baby witching hour typically begins around 2 to 3 weeks of age, becomes most intense between 6 to 8 weeks, and usually starts to improve by 3 to 4 months. By this time, many babies become easier to soothe in the evenings and their fussiness decreases significantly.

Every baby is different, though — some may experience shorter or longer periods of evening fussiness. But rest assured, the witching hour is a temporary phase that generally passes as your baby’s nervous system matures and their sleep patterns settle.