The Witching Hour:

Why It Happens and How to Cope

If your newborn seems content during the day but becomes unsettled, fussy, or inconsolable in the late afternoon or evening, you are not imagining it. Many families experience what is commonly referred to as the witching hour during the early weeks and months of life.

This phase can feel exhausting and overwhelming, especially when it happens night after night, but it is a very common and developmentally expected part of newborn behaviour.

What is the witching hour?

The witching hour describes a period of increased fussiness that typically occurs in the late afternoon or evening. During this time, babies may cry intensely, resist settling, want to feed frequently, or struggle to sleep despite appearing tired.

This behaviour often begins in the early weeks, peaks around six to eight weeks, and gradually improves over time.

It is important to understand that the witching hour is not caused by bad habits or something you are doing wrong.

It reflects how immature the newborn nervous system still is.

What does the witching hour look like?

This phase can look different for each baby, but common signs include:

Crying that ramps up in the late afternoon or early evening
Feeding frequently without fully settling, often in short bursts
Resisting sleep despite clear tired signs
Being content only when held, fed, or moving
Settling briefly and then waking again quickly
Needing more support than usual, even if the day has felt manageable

This behaviour can feel distressing, but it does not mean your baby is in danger or that something is wrong.

Why does the witching hour happen?

The witching hour is usually driven by a combination of developmental and physiological factors rather than a single cause.

Immature nervous system

Newborns are still learning how to process stimulation. By the end of the day, sights, sounds, light, movement, and interaction can overwhelm their nervous system, leading to increased crying and difficulty settling.

Newborn sleep cycles

Newborn sleep is very different from adult sleep. Sleep cycles are short, typically around 45 to 60 minutes, which means babies move into lighter sleep frequently and can wake easily.

This is explained in more detail in newborn sleep cycles, and it helps explain why evening sleep can feel particularly fragile.

Sleep pressure and overtiredness

By the evening, sleep pressure is often high. If naps have been short or inconsistent, babies can become overtired, which paradoxically makes settling harder rather than easier.

Cluster feeding

Many babies feed more frequently in the late afternoon and evening. This can look like constant feeding or fussing at the breast or bottle and is often part of normal newborn behaviour rather than hunger alone.

Digestive immaturity

Digestive discomfort can also contribute to evening fussiness. In some cases, this may overlap with reflux, which can intensify discomfort when babies are tired and unsettled.

How long does the witching hour last?

For most babies, the witching hour:

Begins in the first few weeks
Peaks around six to eight weeks
Gradually improves by three to four months

If crying feels excessive, worsening, or accompanied by other concerning symptoms, it is important to check in with your healthcare provider. Guidance on when to seek further support is covered in newborn sleep red flags.

How to cope with the witching hour

While the witching hour cannot always be stopped, it can often be supported in ways that make it more manageable.

Lower stimulation in the evening

Reducing light, noise, and activity in the late afternoon can help prevent sensory overload.

Support a predictable evening routine

While newborns are not ready for strict schedules, gentle patterns can help. Creating a calming lead-in to bedtime is explained further in creating a newborn night routine.

Respond to your baby’s needs

Holding, feeding, rocking, or walking with your baby during this time is not creating bad habits. It is meeting a developmental need.

Accept contact sleep if needed

Many babies settle best with contact during the witching hour. This does not mean independent sleep is off the table later.

Is the witching hour a sleep problem?

The witching hour is not a sleep problem that needs fixing. It is a normal part of early development.

Understanding what to expect with newborn sleep can help place this phase in context and reduce the pressure to make sleep look a certain way too early.

When to look deeper

If your baby’s crying is:

Constant throughout the day
Accompanied by poor weight gain
Associated with vomiting, arching, or distress during feeds

It may be worth exploring reflux or other medical factors with your healthcare provider.

The Smarter Way to Invest in Better Sleep

Supporting sleep does not have to mean starting over every time something changes.

Our sleep courses are built to support you long term, with age specific guidance that adapts as your child grows. From early routines and regressions to nap transitions and toddler sleep challenges, you will have a clear plan so you can respond with confidence at every stage.