The 5pm Nightmare: Surviving The Newborn Witching Hour Without Losing Your Mind

Before we dive into solutions, it’s helpful to understand what’s likely going on behind those tears. The term “witching hour” isn’t a medical diagnosis, but rather a parent-coined phrase for this predictable period of fussiness. While we don’t know the exact single cause, it’s likely a perfect storm of several factors hitting your tiny baby all at once.

Common Culprits Behind Evening Fussiness:

• Overstimulation: Think about everything your baby has seen, heard, and felt all day. Their brand-new nervous system is like a little computer with not enough RAM. By the end of the day, it’s overloaded and can’t process any more input, leading to a meltdown.
• Overtiredness: It seems counterintuitive, but babies often cry more when they are overtired. They have a hard time down-regulating and simply switching off to sleep. They fight the very thing they need most, and that fight looks a lot like screaming.
• Cluster Feeding: Many newborns, especially breastfed babies, will want to feed almost constantly in the evening. This is called cluster feeding. It’s not a sign that your milk supply is low! It’s your baby’s smart way of tanking up for a longer stretch of sleep and stimulating your body to produce more milk for their upcoming growth spurts.
• Developmental Leaps: Your baby’s brain is growing at an astonishing rate. This intense neurological work can be disorienting and uncomfortable for them, often manifesting as fussiness.
• Trapped Gas or Discomfort: A baby’s digestive system is still maturing. By the end of the day, accumulated gas from feedings can cause significant discomfort, leading to crying and squirming.

Remember: Your baby isn’t trying to manipulate you or give you a hard time. Crying is their primary way of communicating that they are overwhelmed, uncomfortable, or need help managing their big feelings.

When you’re in the thick of it, you need a toolbox of go-to techniques. Not every trick will work every time, so feel free to cycle through them. The goal is to find what helps your baby (and you) get through this tough patch.

1. Master the 5 S’s: Popularized by Dr. Harvey Karp, these techniques mimic the womb. Swaddling (snug like a hug), holding in a Side/Stomach position (only while awake and held), Shushing (loudly, like blood flow in the womb), Swinging (rhythmic, jiggly motion), and offering something to Suck (a pacifier, clean finger, or the breast).
2. Embrace Motion: Movement is magic for fussy babies. Try babywearing in a soft wrap or carrier to keep them close and snug while you walk around. A rocking chair, a gentle bounce on a yoga ball, or a walk outside in the stroller can also work wonders.
3. Change the Scenery: Sometimes, a simple change of environment can reset a fussy baby. Step outside onto the porch for a breath of fresh air. The change in temperature, light, and sound can be just distracting enough to break the crying cycle.
4. Try Water Therapy: A warm bath can be incredibly calming. The sensation of the water and the quiet, focused activity can soothe an overstimulated nervous system. Make it a calm experience with dim lights and a gentle voice.
5. Create a Cocoon of Sound: Loud, constant, rhythmic noise is comforting to a newborn. Use a white noise machine, a fan, or even a shushing app on your phone. It helps block out other stimulating household sounds.
6. Lean into Cluster Feeding: If your baby wants to nurse constantly, find a comfortable spot on the couch, grab the remote, a big bottle of water, and some snacks, and settle in. See it not as a problem, but as your baby’s way of connecting and getting what they need.
7. Relieve Tummy Troubles: Gently bicycle your baby’s legs, press their knees to their tummy, or try some dedicated tummy time (when they are calm) to help them release trapped gas. Ensure you’re burping them well after each feeding.
8. Dim the Lights & Turn Down the Volume: Proactively create a calmer environment as evening approaches. Turn off the TV, dim the overhead lights, and switch to lamps. This signals to your baby’s system that it’s time to wind down.
9. The Power of Skin-to-Skin: Strip your baby down to their diaper and place them directly on your bare chest. Drape a blanket over both of you. Your heartbeat, warmth, and scent are powerful regulators for your baby’s system.
10. Do a Quick Systems Check: In the heat of the moment, it’s easy to overlook the basics. Is their diaper dirty? Is a piece of hair wrapped around a toe? Are they too hot or too cold? A quick check can sometimes reveal a simple fix.

While you can’t always prevent the witching hour, you can often lessen its severity by being proactive throughout the day. Think of it as setting your baby up for a more peaceful evening.

Observe and Learn Your Baby’s Cues

Become a baby detective. Watch for their early sleepy cues—a glazed-over look, a little yawn, rubbing their eyes, or becoming quiet and still. The goal is to get them down for a nap before they become an overtired, crying mess. The more well-rested they are during the day, the better they’ll handle the evening.

Create a ‘Wind-Down’ Ritual

Don’t wait for the crying to start. If you know the fussiness typically kicks off at 5:30 p.m., begin a wind-down ritual around 5:00 p.m. This isn’t a full bedtime routine, but a transition from the busy-ness of the day to the calm of the evening. This could include:

• Dimming the lights in the house.
• Putting on some soft, calming music.
• Giving a gentle baby massage with lotion.
• Swaddling them and holding them close in a quiet room.

Front-Load Your Day

Try to schedule errands, noisy activities, and visits with friends or family for the morning hours. This is when most young babies are at their brightest and most resilient. Keep the late afternoon as quiet and predictable as possible to avoid pushing your baby past their stimulation threshold.

Let’s be honest: an hour of high-pitched, relentless crying can unravel even the most patient person. Your well-being is not just important—it’s essential for getting through this phase. Your baby needs a parent who feels supported and regulated.

• Tap in Your Teammate: If you have a partner, this is the time for teamwork. Take 15-minute shifts. One person actively soothes the baby while the other steps away—puts on noise-canceling headphones, takes a quick shower, or just sits in a quiet room to decompress.
• Prepare Your Own Station: Before the witching hour begins, set yourself up for success. Fill a giant water bottle, prepare some easy-to-eat snacks, charge your phone, and have your headphones or a book nearby.
• It Is Okay to Walk Away: This is the most important safety tip. If you feel your frustration rising, your muscles tensing, and your patience gone, you are not a bad parent. You are a human being.
  

  Place your baby safely on their back in their crib or bassinet, ensure the space is empty, and walk out of the room. Take five minutes to breathe, splash water on your face, or call a friend. Your baby will be safe, and you can return with a clearer head.

• Find a Mantra: Repeating a simple phrase to yourself can be incredibly grounding. Try, “This is a phase, not a forever,” or “My baby is communicating, not complaining.” It helps frame the experience in a less personal, more manageable way.

While evening fussiness is very normal, it’s also important to trust your parental instincts. If the crying seems excessive, pained, or is accompanied by other symptoms, it’s always best to check in with your pediatrician. Colic is often confused with the witching hour, but is generally more intense and prolonged. Here’s a simple guide to help tell the difference.

Ultimately, you are the expert on your baby. If something feels off, a call to your pediatrician’s office can provide peace of mind and ensure your baby is healthy and well.