The Witching Hour: Understanding Overstimulation, Overtiredness, and How to Soothe Your Baby
Parenting a newborn is a beautiful, yet often exhausting journey, and one of the most challenging parts for many families is what’s commonly referred to as “the witching hour.” This term describes those seemingly endless evening hours when babies cry inconsolably, leaving parents feeling helpless and frazzled. Understanding the root causes, including overstimulation and overtiredness, can empower parents with strategies to make this phase more manageable.
What Is the Witching Hour?
The witching hour typically occurs during the late afternoon or evening, often starting around 5 or 6 PM and lasting until 10 or 11 PM. During this time, many babies exhibit increased fussiness, crying, and general discomfort. While it’s common among newborns, it can persist for several months, peaking around 6 to 8 weeks of age.
This behavior is often mistaken for colic, but unlike colic, which involves prolonged periods of crying that are hard to soothe, the witching hour is more predictable and tends to happen during the same time frame each day.
Possible Causes of the Witching Hour
While the exact causes of the witching hour are not fully understood, experts agree that several factors can contribute to your baby’s evening fussiness. Two of the most significant culprits are overstimulation and overtiredness.
The Role of Overstimulation
What is Overstimulation?
Babies are like tiny sponges, absorbing the sights, sounds, and sensations of the world around them. However, their immature nervous systems can only process so much at a time. Overstimulation occurs when they are exposed to more input than they can handle, leading to feelings of overwhelm and distress.
Signs of Overstimulation
- Crying or fussiness that escalates despite attempts to soothe
- Turning their head away from stimuli
- Clenched fists, jerky movements, or arching of the back
- Trouble settling down, even in a quiet environment
Why Evenings Are More Overstimulating
The witching hour often coincides with the busiest time of day in most households. Parents are preparing dinner, siblings are playing, TVs are on, and lights are bright—all of which can overwhelm a baby who has been taking in stimuli all day. By the evening, their ability to process further input is maxed out, leading to overstimulation and crying.
The Role of Overtiredness
What is Overtiredness?
Contrary to what you might think, an overtired baby doesn’t simply fall asleep more easily. Instead, when babies miss their optimal sleep window, their bodies release cortisol and adrenaline, stress hormones that make it harder for them to relax and fall asleep. This creates a vicious cycle: the more overtired they become, the harder it is for them to sleep.
Signs of Overtiredness
- Frequent yawning
- Eye rubbing or ear pulling
- Increased fussiness and crying
- Difficulty falling asleep, even with soothing efforts
Why Babies Become Overtired in the Evening
Newborns need a lot of sleep—often 14 to 17 hours a day. If they aren’t napping well during the day or if their wake windows are too long, they can quickly become overtired. Evening overstimulation exacerbates this issue, making it even harder for babies to calm down and settle for sleep.
How to Soothe Your Baby During the Witching Hour
If overstimulation and overtiredness are contributing to your baby’s evening fussiness, the key is to address both issues. Here are practical strategies to help soothe your baby and make the witching hour more manageable.
1. Create a Calming Environment
Minimize stimulation during the evening by dimming the lights, lowering the volume on electronics, and speaking softly. Using white noise can also help mask household sounds and create a soothing atmosphere.
2. Watch for Sleep Cues and Follow Age-Appropriate Wake Windows
Pay close attention to your baby’s sleep cues, such as yawning, staring off, or becoming less active. When you notice these signs, begin your bedtime routine or offer a nap to prevent overtiredness.
In addition to observing sleep cues, it’s helpful to follow age-appropriate wake windows. Wake windows are the amount of time your baby can comfortably stay awake before becoming overtired. Here’s a general guide based on age:
- 0–4 weeks: 30–60 minutes
- 1–2 months: 45–90 minutes
- 3–4 months: 1–2 hours
By keeping your baby’s wake windows in mind, you can proactively plan naps and bedtime to prevent overtiredness and reduce evening fussiness.
3. Stick to a Routine
Babies thrive on predictability. Establishing a consistent evening routine—such as a bath, feeding, and rocking—can help signal to your baby that it’s time to wind down.
4. Offer Skin-to-Skin Contact
Skin-to-skin contact is incredibly calming for babies, helping to regulate their body temperature, heart rate, and stress levels. This closeness can be particularly soothing during the witching hour.
5. Use Movement
Rocking, swaying, or gentle bouncing can help calm an overstimulated or overtired baby. Many parents also find that using a baby carrier or going for a walk in a stroller can work wonders.
6. Offer a Feeding
Hunger can contribute to fussiness, so offering a feeding during the witching hour can sometimes help. Keep in mind that babies often “cluster feed” in the evenings, nursing frequently as they prepare for a longer stretch of sleep.
7. Take Care of Yourself
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and frustrated during the witching hour, especially if nothing seems to soothe your baby. Remember that your baby can sense your stress, so try to stay calm. Take breaks when needed, and don’t hesitate to ask for help from a partner, family member, or friend.
When to Seek Help
While the witching hour is a normal phase for most babies, there are times when you should consult your pediatrician. If your baby’s crying is excessive, accompanied by other symptoms like fever or vomiting, or if you’re concerned about their growth and development, seek medical advice.
The Witching Hour is Temporary
The witching hour can feel like an overwhelming phase of parenthood, but it’s important to remember that it’s temporary. By understanding the roles of overstimulation and overtiredness, you can take proactive steps to minimize your baby’s distress and create a calmer environment for your entire family.
Every baby is different, so what works for one might not work for another. Stay patient, experiment with different soothing techniques, and remind yourself that this phase will pass. Before you know it, your evenings will be filled with giggles and cuddles rather than tears and frustration.
By taking small, intentional steps, you can not only survive the witching hour but also build a stronger bond with your baby. After all, even the toughest moments in parenthood are opportunities to show your child love, patience, and understanding.
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