Surviving The Witching Hour: How to Handle Non-Stop Night Feeds Without Losing Your Mind

First things first, let’s give this phenomenon a proper name and take away some of its scary power. The ‘witching hour’ isn’t a mystical curse; it’s a predictable developmental phase. It typically happens in the late afternoon and evening, anytime from 5 PM to 11 PM, and it’s characterized by a baby who is very difficult to soothe.

So, why does it happen?

It’s not because you’re a bad parent or your baby is ‘difficult.’ It’s a perfect storm of newborn biology:

• An Immature Nervous System: Think about your baby’s day. They’ve been exposed to new sights, sounds, and sensations. Unlike adults, they can’t just ‘tune out’ the noise. By evening, their little nervous system is completely overwhelmed and they discharge that stored-up energy and stimulation through crying.
• Growth Spurts & Hunger: Newborns grow at an astonishing rate. This rapid development requires a huge amount of energy (i.e., calories). Cluster feeding during the witching hour is their brilliant biological way of ‘tanking up’ on milk to fuel this growth and, hopefully, give you a slightly longer stretch of sleep later in the night.
• Hormonal Shifts: Prolactin, the milk-making hormone, naturally tends to be lower in the late afternoon. Your milk is often fattier at this time but may flow a bit more slowly. Your clever baby nurses more frequently to stimulate production and get what they need.

A Reassuring Thought: Your baby isn’t crying to manipulate you or because they’re angry. Crying is their primary language for saying, ‘I’m overwhelmed,’ ‘I’m hungry,’ or ‘I just really need to be close to you.’ Responding with comfort is exactly what they need.

Understanding that there are real, biological reasons for this behavior can be a game-changer. It shifts your perspective from ‘What am I doing wrong?’ to ‘How can I help my baby through this?’

Cluster feeding often goes hand-in-hand with the witching hour. It’s when your baby wants to feed much more frequently than usual, sometimes nursing on and off every 20-30 minutes for several hours. For breastfeeding parents, this is often the moment panic sets in. ‘Is my baby getting enough milk? Is my supply dropping?’

Let’s clear this up: Cluster feeding is not usually a sign of low milk supply. In fact, it’s the opposite. It is your baby’s way of putting in their ‘order’ to increase your milk supply for the days ahead. Breastfeeding is a supply-and-demand system, and this frequent stimulation tells your body to ramp up production. It’s a brilliant, baby-led system that ensures they get exactly what they need, especially during a growth spurt.

How to Know Your Baby is Getting Enough

Instead of watching the clock, watch your baby. Look for these reliable signs that they are getting plenty of milk, even during frantic cluster feeds:

• Diaper Output: This is your number one indicator. By day five, you should be seeing at least 6-8 wet diapers and 3-5 poopy diapers every 24 hours.
• Weight Gain: Your baby is being monitored by your pediatrician and is gaining weight appropriately after the initial newborn weight loss.
• Swallowing Sounds: When your baby is actively feeding, you can hear or see them swallowing, especially after your milk lets down.
• Contentment After Feeds: Even during cluster feeding, there should be brief moments where they seem content and relaxed, even if they want to nurse again 20 minutes later.

Formula-feeding parents, you’re not exempt! Some formula-fed babies also want smaller, more frequent feeds in the evening. It’s perfectly fine to offer an extra ounce or two during these fussy periods if they’re showing hunger cues. The goal is to respond to your baby’s needs, regardless of how you’re feeding them.

Knowing the ‘why’ is helpful, but you also need a practical ‘how.’ How do you actually get through these long evenings? It’s time to build your survival kit. The key is to try and layer different soothing techniques, and don’t be discouraged if something that worked yesterday doesn’t work today. Babies love to keep us on our toes!

1. Set Up Your Command Center: Before the fussiness starts, create a comfortable nest on the couch or in a glider. Surround yourself with everything you could possibly need: a giant water bottle, healthy one-handed snacks, your phone and charger, the TV remote, and plenty of burp cloths.
2. Master the 5 S’s: Coined by Dr. Harvey Karp, these techniques mimic the womb. Try them in combination: Swaddling (tightly, like a little baby burrito), holding them in a Side/Stomach position across your lap, Shushing loudly (louder than their cries), gentle Swinging or rocking, and offering something to Suck on (a breast, bottle, pacifier, or clean finger).
3. Wear Your Baby: A soft wrap or structured carrier can be a lifesaver. It keeps your baby snug and close to you—which is all they really want—while freeing up your hands to make a sandwich or just scroll through your phone. The gentle motion as you walk can also be incredibly soothing.
4. Just Add Water: Never underestimate the reset button of a warm bath. The sensation of the water can be incredibly calming for a fussy baby. You can even get in with them (with your partner’s help to safely pass the baby) for some skin-to-skin contact.
5. Change the Scenery: Sometimes, the same four walls are part of the problem. A change of environment can snap everyone out of a funk. Walk to a different room, step out onto the porch for a breath of fresh air, or just look out a different window.
6. Dim the Lights, Kill the Noise: Remember that overstimulation we talked about? Help your baby’s nervous system wind down by creating a calmer environment. Dim the lights, turn off the TV, and switch to a white noise machine or a gentle shushing sound.
7. Tag Team with Your Partner: You are a team. There are no medals for martyrdom in parenting. Create a plan where one parent is ‘on duty’ for an hour or two while the other takes a complete break—a shower, a walk, or just 20 minutes of silence in another room with noise-canceling headphones.
8. Run the Basic Checklist: Before you assume it’s the witching hour, do a quick check. Is there a sneaky burp hiding? Is their diaper dirty? Are they too hot or too cold? Is a piece of hair wrapped tightly around a tiny toe (a hair tourniquet)?
9. Ditch the Clock: Staring at the clock, counting how many times your baby has latched in the last hour, will only amplify your stress. Put your phone away, put on a movie you love, and just surrender to the process. Focus on your baby’s cues, not the time.
10. Accept Any and All Help: If a friend or family member offers to drop off dinner, hold the baby while you shower, or do a load of laundry, your answer is ‘YES, THANK YOU!’ This is not the time for politeness; it’s the time for survival.

Let’s be honest: this is draining. It’s physically demanding and emotionally exhausting. It is completely normal to feel touched-out, frustrated, resentful, and even angry when you’ve been dealing with a crying baby for hours. Feeling this way doesn’t make you a bad parent; it makes you a human being.

Your mental health is not a luxury; it’s a necessity. You cannot pour from an empty cup, and your baby needs a parent who is also cared for. During these tough moments, your own well-being has to be a priority.

IMPORTANT SAFETY ADVICE: It is 100% okay to put your crying baby down in a safe place, like their crib or bassinet, and walk away for a few minutes. Step into another room, take ten deep breaths, splash water on your face. Your baby is safe, and you need a moment to regulate your own emotions before you can help them regulate theirs.

Strategies for Your Own Sanity:

• One Earbud In: Pop in one headphone and listen to a calming playlist, an engaging podcast, or an audiobook. It allows you to stay present for your baby while also giving your brain a place to escape.
• Breathe Through It: When you feel your frustration rising, consciously slow your breathing. Inhale for four counts, hold for four, and exhale for six. This simple act can calm your own nervous system, which your baby will sense.
• Find a Mantra: Have a simple phrase you can repeat to yourself. ‘This is a phase, not a forever.’ ‘I am the calm in my baby’s storm.’ ‘We are learning together.’
• Communicate with Your Partner: Use ‘I feel’ statements. Instead of ‘You never help,’ try ‘I am feeling so overwhelmed and touched-out right now. I need a 15-minute break.’ This invites collaboration instead of conflict.
• Know the Signs: The ‘baby blues’ are common, but if your feelings of sadness, anxiety, or rage feel all-consuming and last beyond the first couple of weeks, please reach out. Talk to your partner, a trusted friend, or your healthcare provider. Postpartum depression and anxiety are real, treatable medical conditions, and seeking help is a sign of incredible strength.

While the witching hour is normal, it’s also important to trust your parental instincts. If you feel like something is truly wrong, it’s never a mistake to call your pediatrician. To help you differentiate, here’s a quick guide comparing normal fussiness to potential red flags.

This table is a guide, not a substitute for medical advice. Your peace of mind matters, so always err on the side of caution and make the call if you are worried.