the witching hour

Approximately one month after giving birth, my daughter showed my husband and I a side of her that shocked both of us. It was approximately 8 p.m. and I honestly thought our night was winding down. Dinner was served. The dishwasher was working its magic. The house was as clean as can be expected for a family with a newborn. We were waiting for the baby to fall asleep so that we could enjoy some quality time together watching one of our favorite shows. And then, it happened.

It began as some minor fussiness. I tried to soothe her, thinking that she just wanted to nurse. She did not. In fact, this only aggravated her more. “Maybe she needs a diaper change,” I thought. She didn’t and things escalated. Before we knew it, she launched into full-blown hysterics. Crying. Screaming. Arching her back. She was inconsolable. I did the best that I could to soothe her for the first thirty minutes, then my husband gave it a go. Then I tried again. Then he tried. She was so visibly tired but could not fall asleep. After several rounds of pass the baby, she fell asleep on my husband’s chest.

It was such a traumatic experience that I went to bed that night and had a nightmare that my parents were trying to take custody of my daughter. In the dream, my daughter was upset as my parents held her. The closer I got to her in my attempts to help, the more she cried. Finally, my father blurted “Go away, your mere presence is upsetting to her.” It sounds silly now, but I was disturbed.

The hysterics continued for two more nights to both my husband and I’s horror. Our baby was the sweetest, most easygoing newborn all day and then around 4 p.m., all hell would break loose. After doing some research and surfing a mommy forum or two, I realized that I wasn’t alone. Many new mothers were experiencing the same exact phenomenon at the same exact time.

“The Witching Hour“

The witching hour describes a phase that most new babies will experience. It’s marked by an extended period of fussiness that happens around the same time each day. Generally, this happens in the evenings, beginning for some as early as 4 p.m. and ending as late as 12 a.m. for some unlucky parents.

While this experience is very normal, it’s unclear exactly what causes it. Some theorize that a mother’s milk flow is slower in the evenings, which causes her baby to become frustrated. Others blame overstimulation from all of the excitement of the day.

Whatever the cause, witching hour became a source of great stress for my family. Thankfully, knowledge is power. Once we began to learn more about the witching hour, we came to expect it and we prepared for it. Here’s what we learned:

Clear Your Schedule

First things first, the witching hour is a time when your baby needs your undivided attention. Unfortunately, this is not really the time to catch up on your favorite TV show, get housework done, or scroll through social media.

Set the mood

During the witching hour, babies often fight sleep, which makes them more cranky. As previously stated, some blame overstimulation. To create a more sleep-friendly environment and avoid further stimulation, dim or turn off the lights and reduce noise from televisions and radios as much as possible. This will help to keep your baby calm. A white noise app or machine, such as the Hatch Baby Rest Sound Machine & Night Light ($59.99 Amazon), is also helpful.

Establish an Evening Routine

A nightly bath time routine is a great way to put your baby at ease. Bath time has become such a sacred ritual in our house because of how much it helped to calm our daughter. Some of our bath time must-haves include Aveeno Baby’s Calming Comfort Bath Wash & Lotion and Summer Infant’s Deluxe Baby Bather ($11.99, Amazon). We usually follow up with a bedtime story and a nursing session.

Babywear

Another way to soothe your period during the most difficult part of her day is by recreating the closeness of the womb. Babywearing is a great way to do this. My wrap of choice is the MOBY Wrap ($49.95, Amazon).

Nurse

If you’re a breastfeeding mom, nurse your baby as much as she would like. If you’re not a nursing mom, you can meet your baby’s need to suck with a pacifier.

Grab Some Gripe Water

Another thing that can cause babies to become fussy is discomfort from gas. Gripe water is a natural, over-the-counter solution that can help to settle your baby’s tummy. Colic Calm Homeopathic Gripe Water ($18.95, Amazon) is a staple in our home. It settles our daughter’s stomach discomfort within minutes and she loves the taste.

Swaddle, Swing, Or Both

Swaddling and rocking your baby also helps to recreate the sensation of the womb, which can be extremely comforting to her. Many moms rave about the Nested Bean Zen Swaddle ($32.99, Amazon).

Most of all, stay strong. The witching hour doesn’t last forever. It usually disappears by the time your baby is four months.