The witching hours
Most of the time, evenings are pretty pleasant around here. Tom gets home from work, and Livi and I are both ecstatic to see him. We give Livi a bath, jammie/lotion/brush hair, feed her, story time, and put her to sleep. It’s nice because she’ll usually go to bed fairly early (around 7-8) and we’ll get to enjoy a little bit of alone time to catch up and hang out before calling it a night. We’re getting to a point where Liv’s on a pretty good schedule throughout the day and gets plenty of naps… so most of the time, the evenings go pretty well.
Other times, we’re subject to the witching hours: random crankiness before bedtime, where pretty much nothing seems to put that lovely smile back on her face.
Sometimes, it’s just a little bit of grunting and crying, or it can be full-out shrieking, which echoes throughout the house. We go through the checklist: check her diaper (usually the first reason she’ll cry- she HATES wet diapers), burp her, see if she’s hungry, and if nothing seems to work, we bounce, rock her, or sing to her until she eventually burps, decides she is indeed hungry, or falls back asleep.
All of my friends with little babies have experienced the same thing- you never know what’s going to happen around 5-6pm. It’s not considered colic because it only happens occasionally and doesn’t last very long (colic occurs where a baby cries for at least 3 hours in a row, 3 nights in a week, for 3 consecutive weeks. Whew! My little brother had colic and it was intense), but is still no picnic. Usually having one of the nanas here does the trick –they have that magic touch- but sadly, they don’t live here 😉
Anyone have advice or tips for the witching hours? How long does this phase last? (Please don’t say forever, haha)
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That is a super precious picture.
Vacuum cleaner! Try it! I swear it works!
yes! agreed!
Hi,I’m new here. My son had colic for 3 months. He cried ALL day AND night from the time he was born. The only thing that worked was the vacuum or a exercise ball. Swaddle tightly! It was a LONG 3 months but luckily I had lots of help! We used the vaccuum so much we recorded the noise and carried it with us!
You can find sounds of the vaccuum cleaner on cd. My sister played that cd nonstop for her cranky baby.
Ugh. It’s so true. I feel like it’s similiar to “sun-downing” in dementia patients. I worked with a lady once that had dementia/memory loss and she had a similiar thing happen when she was on reduced meds. Around 5-7, she had trouble coping.
Ear plugs. Seriously. If you’re with her, holding her, have fed her, clothed her, changed her diaper–basically, everything you know to do–ear plugs will save your sanity.
Yes, 5-6pm is the fussy time! My mom said all 4 of us were miserable! With Ella she used to all out scream from like 4-6 some nights. It was miserable. Usually gas–we had such a hard time getting her to burp sometimes!
I love that picture. Livi is all you in that shot right there! So precious!
It doesn’t last forever but they are still popping up every now and then with Emmie being almost 5 months. Usually just putting her in the tub will do the trick … have you tried bumping bath time up when she gets like that?
My nephew had colic for 4 months … Every single day from 3-10PM it was uncontrollable screaming. It was a NIGHTMARE. I will gladly take the witching hours over those shenanigans.
I was just thinking how our 6 week old is fussy like this. Glad to know it’s normal.
The witching hours are so tough!! My daughter screamed nonstop for hours on end, the doctor never diagnosed colic but I’m pretty sure that’s what it was. There were so many days she would cry straight from 4-9pm, I had to hold and rock her, I couldn’t even sit down. For us it seemed like her tummy hurt her, she was very gassy and nothing ever seemed to help. At 3 months things really change, I think you will see a lot less of the inconsolable crying around then. Good luck!
My daughter was just the same. She was so fussy. It was somewhere in between colic and a typical fussy baby. It was so difficult. I remeber anticipating her crying basically whenever she was awake. I agree that 3 months was about when things started to turn around; definitely by 4.
One thing we did was have her watch a small bit of television each day, such as baby Einstein. I know it’s controversial, but she needed something else to stimulate her other than me and her mobile and she loved watching it.
I’ve heard it’s common to have a witching hour. I even think our dog does too! About 4-6 pm for her! Glad everything has been going well. A couple more weeks for me!
How old is she now? If she’s between 6-8 weeks those are hands down the two hardest weeks ever. Every book I’ve ever read refers to that period as a transition of sorts and to not try anything new or impose a schedule on a baby during that time. Lyric’s fussy time is 5-6 and so we just made that her bedtime. I keep her as happy as I can & as soon as my efforts are fruitless (usually about 5:30-5:45) I’ll head upstairs, change her, lotion her up, PJ’s and feed her. She’s out like a light for 10 hours!
All 3 of mine did that-normally laid back but not around dinner time-think they just kind of get wired around that time of day for some reason at that age.
And our dog does also for about 30 min. right before she conks out for the night :).
Gripe water!!!! I swear by it!!! I used the Mommys Bliss brand and can’t tell you the miracles it worked!!
I agree with this!
Gripe water worked wonders! Its not medicated, but in the beginning i diluted it with a little water.
My baby is almost 4 months now and he loves his Baby Einstein Sea Dreams lullaby soother. He will stare at it and giggle until he falls to sleep.
I dont have kids but I think it is “forever” anyway, i look at my mom and grandma they are always worried for me, and at least now you do the watching hours while she is home in your lap, or in her bed, imagine when she will be in high school clubbing 🙂 thats probably when mom dont sleep at all, and are really worried!
Such a cute picture! I totally know what you mean about the nanas having that special touch. My grandmother is 96 (gave birth to 9 children) and she still has the magic touch! It’s truly amazing.
She is such a beautiful baby! And daddy and baby pictures always melt my heart.
Oh, how I remember those days! Miles didn’t have colic though I was so sure he did. The doctor said it was more than likely acid reflux but I still wouldn’t wish it on anyone. While we still get cranky when we’re tired, the worst of it is over. I think things really got better around 2 months and definitely by 3. Just keep up the bedtime routine and she’ll get there!
When we went to the breastfeeding class a few weeks ago, the lady actually warned us about crying. She said babies are usually fussier in the evening and that it’s normal for most babies to cry for up to 2 hours (nonconsecutively) in a day for no known reason. Unfortunately, she didn’t really give too many tips on what to do. She basically said its babies way of venting.
I remember my Grandma taking my baby and telling me she does not feel well and to rock her and rub her back in circles. Worked every time for my Grandma, not so much for me. You are right Grandma’s have the touch.
Our witching hour is 7-8 pm but now that our little one is 5.5 months, its only happening about 2-3 times a week. I find that what helps is burping (we use OTC gas medication recommended by our pediatrician, and it works wonders) and if that’s not the problem, we walk around and look at things. We play ‘baby in the mirror’ and that usually will get a smile. It does get better – hang in there.
p.s. She is just so adorable!!
My niece had her witching hour around 5 or 6 and my sister started putting her down for the night around that time to avoid it. I thought at the time that it was crazy to put her to bed so early but it worked, and now that I’m pregnant I think it is a good idea! I’m pretty sure she read about doing that in Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child. I think I remember you said you were reading it or going to read it, so if you haven’t yet I would recommend checking it out. It’s definitely on my list of books to read before the baby comes!
It doesn’t last forever and I’d say by 6 months the dinnertime witching hour is done or greatly diminished. You’ll soon be onto dinnertime teething and dinnertime trying to crawl and all that other fun stuff but none of it lasts forever and just about the time you find a solution, they’re onto the next phase.
Good luck and hang in there. Skylar was super colicy and it was….bad. And hard, but we survived. They say the grumpiest and most colicy babies make for the sweetest kids and in my case, she is soooo happy-go-lucky and chill and mellow, so those days were worth it then for what I have now. Who knows if it’s true but in my case I got lucky 🙂
If I remember correctly, it should go away between 6-8 weeks. I believe it peaks at week 6? Some people have commented on bed time..we still put our son down (6 months) betweeen 5:30-6:30 as we found out that was his preferred bedtime. If we shift things later (as we’d like to!) he is fussier, and has more nightwakings.
I love when I find other mamas that put their kids to bed at 5:30 or 6! Our kids go down for the night at that time also and if we miss that window, we are in trouble!
I have to ditto this bedtime as my 17 week old is the same way! Funny how staying up later leads to a less restful sleep for BOTH baby and mama:-
My oldest daughter was colicky and I swear she screamed at me until she was 7 or 8 months! We tried all kinds of things with her. I would suggest taking her outside. Sometimes the change in temp will startle them and make them forget they were screaming 🙂
Hi Gina! I wanted to tell you I read everyday and think Livi is just the best!! I don’t get to comment much, I am a 3rd grade teacher for special needs so as you can imagine my day is super packed. When nannying and the babies would turn into hellions (witching hour terminology naturally), I would sing. It always worked, or tight swaddling. Something about the body pressure is calming for babies I hear…I know Livi likes to sneak out of the wrap you said! LOL. Have you tried baby massage when she wakes up? Just a thought…but I know nothing…my air force man and I don’t have babies yet!! Take care 🙂
i do baby massage after her bath but haven’t tried it when she wakes up- great idea!
thank you so much for reading, and your family’s service to our country <3
I love that picture of Tom and Livi! I hope the witching hour passes quickly for you!
i completely forgot this stage so it definitely doesn’t last forever. it’s just blip on my radar. no advice, though, just words of encouragement. hang in there, mama!
oh, but we did get a foam wedge for the crib to help elevate him at night to help with reflux type issues. our doctor suggested it and it definitely helped! he would sleep forever in the swing or car seat so we knew he slept better propped up a little.
Oh my, this brings back horrible memories for me! My son had super bad colic, so it was worse than your situation. Most of the day and every single evening, he would cry. And cry. And cry. =/ It felt like we tried everything! Eventually we found a couple things that helped, such as bringing him into the bathroom to listen to the bathroom vent (white noise). But really, there wasn’t much we could do to make it stop.
The good news is that by around 6-8 weeks of age it got better for my son, and I think that’s true for most babies.
The bad news is that my son is almost 2 and dinnertime is still the “witching” for us. Kids just get tired and cranky by the end of the day, and evenings can be tough.
Hang in there….the infant crying will subside soon for you. It really will! You’re doing awesome Mama. =)
Def try the vacuum cleaner- that may help her. My little girl loved her swing and walks outside. Good luck and this too shall pass 🙂 Such a precious picture!
No help here on the witching hour front–but that pic is adorable!!
Apparently my boyfriend had colic when he was a baby and between that and a super long labor, his mom said one was enough! I’m sorry, I have absolutely no idea any advice, but the comment above suggesting some ear plugs to save your sanity sounded pretty good haha. Good luck!
Ive been reading your blog for a couple of years but have never commented I have two girls who are now 11 & 9, but they both had witching hours. The worst part is my husband was a resident physician and never home!! Two things that worked for me…. 1. Bicycle legs-lay Livi on her back and move her legs as if she was riding a bicycle it seems to help with gas pains and usually could help get them calmed down. Plus you can make silly faces and talk and coo at her. 2. Football hold- hold her with her head rested in the crook of your arm and your hand under her belly. I would lock my fingers of both hands together to help give me strength. You can then rock your arms up and down and that also helps soothe them and help with gas pains.
Good luck it doesn’t last forever, usually by 4 moths they are napping great during the day and sleeping really well through the night!! Then before you know it you have a 5th grader who is starting to have crushes on boys!!
BTW I live up in Oro Valley! So I’m a neighbor of yours 🙂
I agree with the comments above: Vacuum or white noise of some sort (humidifier, dryer, etc), going for a walk outside, and a nice warm bath. These were all things that helped with our daughter. I would say things got better when she was 3-4 months. Books I’ve read say that around 2 months old the baby is emerging from the “fourth trimester” and the world around them is very stimulating and overwhelming. Thus the crying. Also, when she gets her 2 month shots she’ll receive the rotovirus vaccine which can really upset the tummy for up to 2 weeks. So be on the look out for that one! It gets better and just know you are a great mom and you know her better than anyone! You got this:) Good luck!
my son was like that and i had no help, i would swaddle him and sometimes it took longer doing the “shaking” thing my fingers and hands and wrists would hurt! Try swaddling her tighter, they fight it at first but then it calms them down and they pass out. I never tried the vacuum but I did try the hair dryer and it worked. I’m telling u it was tough but I am sooo glad I read ‘the happiest baby on the block’, hang in there it’ll get better. God bless u and your little family :))
it lasted about 10 weeks for us. hang in there!!! white noise and walking around in the ergo worked for us.
I agree with the Nana’s magic touch. How do they DO that?? They have special Nana powers that extend waaay beyond baby sleeping.
My Grandma (so that’s DOUBLE Nana powers) once visited right when J was in the middle of a screaming fit because I was trying to put a plaster on a cut she had on her finger (bleeding paper cut). No way would she let me near it and the blood was freaking her out. My Grandma just picked her up, sat her on the bench and was allowed to wash the cut, dry it, inspect it and plaster it with only mind whimpering and no resistance. :-/
Max’s “witching hours” can be anytime from 4pm-11pm. If I’m home he pretty much wants to be fed every hour from then. I haven’t really tried getting him to be prior to 11. I put him down once at 9pm and he didn’t like that very much. But he is still young, so I’m not too concerned there.
If I’m home, I get as comfy as possible and either watch TV or a movie. Sometimes I mix it up and nurse while in my office on the computer (using a nursing pillow helps here). One thing that works for Max…..I go out. We will go for dinner, to the grocery store, where ever! The car ride always makes him fall asleep and usually he will sleep for the duration. If he does wake up, he usually likes the stare at the lights or at people and is content to do that for an hour or so.
The witching hour does improve though. Max has been REALLY good over the past 2 weeks.
Hi! We are trying for our first child (fingers crossed) and I have been obsessed with reading baby stuff online. I read about “Hands to heart sleep swaddle” being better than the usual swaddle method where hands are at the babies sides. Have you heard about it?? Any input would be a great help 🙂 Here is the link: http://www.heartswaddle.com/why-swaddle/
Olivia has the cutest nose ever, I swear.
I don’t have kids so I’m sorry I can’t offer any advice, but I just must say that seeing pics of dads with their baby daughters melts my heart! I can’t wait to someday see my husband with a baby 🙂
She is so precious in that picture with her daddy.
That’s sounds a lot like Avery’s first two months. Just completely random crankiness that I couldn’t figure out. Eventually we realized it was gas. We were big on the bicycle legs trick but when that didn’t work, I ended up giving her gas drops a few times to help her out. I think it was because of certain foods I was eating so once i figured out which foods, I cut those out and the crankiness stopped.
But no, it doesn’t last forever lol
I think it depends on why they are crying. If their bellies are upset, that’s a different story and it’s usually something that you ate or are eating regularly that is the problem. If it’s just an overtired baby, sometimes there isn’t anything you can do until they are settled down enough to try and go to sleep again. I don’t in any way believe that tummy upset is a normal part of being a baby. Yes, they do have to get used to things moving around and working, they’ve never done it before but that shouldn’t be more than fussing and wiggling. It took a lot of trial and error for us but we were able to figure out the foods that couldn’t be tolerated and the ones that made their bellies sensitive. This is a great list but I would also add bananas to that list, they can be difficult to digest http://www.nourishingmeals.com/2009/05/nourishing-new-mom.html
I’ll check out that link now- thank you!
Hi Gina-
I went through the SAME thing with Jack the first few monthes, however it was the witching hour EVERY night. It was so bad I thought for SURE he had colic. My poor hubby would come home every night to a screaming child and a blubbery wife, not fun! Welllll, ends up the poor little guy was OVERTIRED since he didn’t nap during the day. We finally figured it out after what seemed to be an eternity.
It sounds like Livi naps, but maybe on the days she isn’t as happy in the evening is she napping less those days? Just a thought:-
I was so bummed I never got the memo that babies get overtired and cannot calm themselves down, but I got all the other advice, just not this one very important piece:-
If she isn’t overtired I bet she grows out of it at the 3 month mark, definitely won’t last forever. Good for you getting her on a schedule so quickly, it took me much longer:)
Sorry to say they don’t grow out of it until well into their childhood.:-) I have 3 girls- ages 21 mos, 5, and 8 and we’ve gone through it with all 3. So did my sister-in-law with her 3 boys. The two oldest ones still get cranky at dinner. They tend to argue more around that time than any other time of day. The baby still gets a little fussy, but mostly she tries to get into everything while I am making dinner. If the 3 are all in a good moods they get rambunctious and attempt to drive me nuts. I just think it’s the time of day- they are hitting the point of being worn out and they are hungry. It’s been proven that when babies and young kids are tired they actually get hyper- almost like an energy burst. But no worries… you’ll get through it and after a while it won’t even phase you anymore:-)
Hi!
Even though the doctor might not call it colic, it might be due to indigestion and/or an upset tummy. Does she ever kick her legs when she’s upset during that time? A food journal would be a way for you to determine if certain foods you are eating are bugging her. You can massage her stomach in a clockwise direction around her belly button to help move energy and settle her stomach, or have her lay on her back and move her legs in a bicycle fashion. Good luck!
Wine.
Sensory distractions help my daughter – we’ll take her outside, put her in the bathtub, strip her naked – all seem to change her mood, even for a short bit.
And when all else fails, we beat box in front of her. For some confounding reason, this is the best thing ever in her five month old world.
Haha!! I wish I could beat box 😉 maybe I’ll just pretend
I know you said not to say forever. But uh, my kids are 10, 8, and 4 and I still don’t look forward to that time before dinner. Everyone is hungry and tired.
But I agree with an above poster, just take her outside. A little fresh air will change everyone’s attitude.
we had the same issues with our daugher (now 16-months) and it took us far too long to realize we were keeping her up too late. try putting her down (and subsequently starting her bedtime routine) an hour earlier. so, bedtime would be 6-7 rather than 7-8. not all babies give obvious sleep signals and she could just be getting over tired. i wish we had known this so much sooner the first time around. luckily we’ll give to give it another shot with our 2nd in july! =D
good luck!
Things got better with both of my kids around 8 weeks. That’s also around the time that we had a consistent bedtime (around 7pm) and they were consolidating naps during the day. My kids (almost 3 and 5.5) still have their cranky moments – but that just usually means an early bedtime (and they usually go to bed at 7:30 – so I mean EARLY).
My baby Addy DEFINITELY had the witching hour. Rest assured, this goes away right around the 3 month mark. My sure-fire way to get relief was to strap her into her carrier and take a walk outside. It was magic! We walked every evening and it always soothed her. This became a nice little tradition : ) Hope it helps!
P.S. Livi is gorgeous – – well done, Mama.
That’s a great idea- I’ll try that tonight 🙂
Thank you!
First time commenter … it does get better!
But in the mean time —
swaddle (nice and tight!)
white noise (LOUD and right up to her ear, we used a free iphone app and it worked!)
singing (wheels on the bus, or something repetitive)
walk outside (put her in the carrier and walk up and down the street)
15 min switch off between you and your husband
deep breaths, this too shall pass.
Thank you for saying hi, and all of the tips! 🙂