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If your baby seems like a completely different little person as the sun sets — crying, fussing, resisting feeds, or fighting sleep — you are not alone.

 

Many babies experience what’s commonly called the witching hour: a period of increased evening fussiness that typically occurs between 5 pm and midnight.

 

While this phase is common, it’s not something you simply have to “wait out.” Understanding why babies become fussy in the evening helps parents respond with confidence and create calmer, more manageable nights.

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​If you're navigating the newborn months, you may also enjoy my Free Twin Sleep Foundations Guide, covering wake windows, feeding rhythms, overtiredness, and the biological foundations of healthy sleep.

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What Is the Witching Hour?

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The baby witching hour refers to a period of intense late-afternoon or evening fussiness that commonly affects newborns during the first few months of life. 

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It typically: ​

• begins around 2–3 weeks of age

• peaks around 6–8 weeks

• improves significantly by 3-4 months

 

During this time, babies may:

• cry for long stretches 

• cluster feed

• resist sleep

• become difficult to settle

• seem uncomfortable or overwhelmed

 

​While sometimes grouped with colic or PURPLE crying, evening fussiness is often your babies way of communicating: “I’m tired, overstimulated, or uncomfortable.”

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What’s Shaping This Pattern?

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At Sleep to Flourish, we understand that sleep is shaped by biology, development, and environment.

 

Evening fussiness is rarely caused by a single factor. Instead, it reflects how these elements interact throughout the day. This forms the foundation of the Flourishing Sleep Framework™ — helping families see the bigger picture so rest can flourish.

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Biology: Sleep Pressure, Hunger, and Overtiredness

 

The witching hour is often deeply rooted in your baby's biology.

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Overtiredness:

By late afternoon, your baby's tolerance for stimulation is significantly lower. When wake windows extend too long, stress hormones such as cortisol rise, making settling increasingly difficult.

 

Watching sleepy cues and following age-appropriate wake windows can help prevent overtiredness from building.

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If you're unsure whether overtiredness may be contributing, read my guide on

Understanding your Baby’s Cues-Tired, Overtired, or Hungry?

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Hunger & Cluster Feeding: 

Many babies naturally feed more frequently during the evening.

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This pattern, known as cluster feeding, helps babies increase calorie intake before longer stretches of overnight sleep.

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It is a normal biological behaviour and does not necessarily indicate low milk supply. Responsive feeding supports both nutrition and emotional regulation during this period.​​​

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Circadian Rhythm Development: 

Newborns are not born with mature day-night rhythms.

 

During the first few months, their internal body clocks are still learning to distinguish day from night, which can contribute to evening restlessness and increased fussiness.

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Key takeaway: Supporting biology means aligning wake windows, feeding rhythms, sleep pressure, circadian development with your baby's stage of growth. 

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Development: Emotional Growth and Sensory Overload

 

Your baby's developing nervous system also plays a significant role in evening behaviour.

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An Immature Nervous System & Overstimulation: 

A full day of new sights, sounds, interactions, and sensations can quickly become overwhelming.

Because emotional regulation skills are still developing, overstimulation often appears as: crying, fussiness, feed refusal, difficulty settling. 

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Discomfort sensitivity:

Gas, reflux, or tummy discomfort may feel more pronounced during the evening. Gentle strategies such as: burping during and after feeds, tummy massage, bicycle legs, or upright cuddles can provide relief. 

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Key takeaway: Evening fussiness is a normal part of early development. Understanding crying as communication helps parents respond with confidence rather than self-doubt. 

 

 

Environment: Creating Calmer Evenings 

The environment surrounding your baby strongly influenced how the witching hour unfolds.

 

Reduce External Stimulation:

Bright lights, television, household noise, and busy family routines can contribute to sensory overload.

 

Many families find it helpful to dim lights, reduce screen exposure, lower noise levels, begin bedtime routines earlier, create predictable evening rhythms. 

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Sleep associations & soothing strategies:

Pacifiers, babywearing, rocking, or gentle motion help your baby self-soothe. Offering these consistently supports independent regulation over time.

 

Parental response:

Babies co-regulate with their caregivers. Calm, predictable responses help babies feel safe and secure during overwhelming moments. 

 

Key takeaway: Small environmental adjustments create clear signals that support smoother, calmer evenings. 

 

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How to Soothe Your Baby During the Witching Hour

 

Understanding the underlying drivers of fussiness helps you response more effectively. Here are some practical strategies: 

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• Create calm: Dim lights, lower your voice, and use slow, rhythmic movements. Your calm energy supports your baby’s nervous system. 

• Use gentle motion: Babywearing, swaying or rocking provides familiar sensory input that many babies find comforting. 

• Offer a Pacifier: when hunger ins't the cause, sucking can be a powerful soothing mechanism 

• Try a warm bath: Warm water, skin-to-skin contact, and predictable routines help babies transition into a calmer state.

• Step outside: A change of scenery, light, and fresh air can reset both baby and parent.

• Protect the primary caregiver: Accept support wherever possible. A partner, grandparent, or trusted friend can make a tremendous difference during difficult evenings.

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Twin Specific Considerations 

 

The witching hour can feel especially overwhelming with twins, particularly when both babies become unsettled simultaneously. 

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During these evenings, focus less on perfect routines and more on creating calm.

 

Helpful strategies include: Dimming lights earlier, babywearing one twin while soothing the other, dividing support with a partner, using white noise,  maintaining similar routines where possible. 

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For twin families, maintaining synchronised rhythms often makes evenings more manageable. You may also enjoy reading Should You Wake One Twin When the Other Wakes?.

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When Should You Seek Medical Advice? 

 

Most evening fussiness resolves naturally as babies mature. However, contact your healthcare provider if:

• Crying persists throughout the entire day

• Feeding difficulties continue 

• Your baby develops fever, lethargy, or vomiting

• Something simply doesn't feel right for you

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Parents know their babies best! 

 

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The Bigger Sleep Picture

 

Evening fussiness can feel relentless, but it usually temporary. As your baby's nervous system matures and circadian rhythms develop, evenings often become calmer and more predictable.

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Through the Flourishing Sleep Framework™, we understand the witching hour as an interaction between: 

• Biology: sleep pressure, cluster feeding, circadian rhythms 

• Development: emotional regulation, sensory processing, neurological growth

• Environment: bedtime routines, soothing strategies, parental responses

 

Understanding this bigger picture helps families move from frustration toward confidence. 

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Your Sleep to Flourish Moment 

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The witching hour is often driven by overtiredness, sensory overload, hunger, and an immature nervous system adapting to life outside the womb — not by poor parenting or something you've done wrong.

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This season is temporary. With responsive support, calmer evenings, and realistic expectations, both you and your baby can flourish.

 

If evenings feel overwhelming, personalised support can help you understand your baby's unique needs, balance routines, and create sustainable sleep foundations that truly work for your family.

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Frequently Asked Questions​

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What causes the witching hour in babies?

The witching hour is usually caused by a combination of overtiredness, cluster feeding, sensory overload, and an immature nervous system.

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When does the witching hour start?

It commonly begins around 2–3 weeks of age, peaks at 6–8 weeks, and improves significantly by 3–4 months.

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Is the witching hour the same as colic?

Not necessarily. While the two can overlap, many babies experience normal evening fussiness without meeting the criteria for colic.

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Why does my baby only cry in the evening?

By evening, babies have accumulated sleep pressure and sensory stimulation throughout the day, making them more vulnerable to overwhelm.

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Can overtiredness cause the witching hour?

Yes. Overtiredness is one of the most common contributors to evening fussiness in newborns and young babies.

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Need Support With Your Baby's Sleep?

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Whether you're navigating newborn sleep, frequent night waking, overtiredness, or challenging evenings, personalised guidance can help.

 

Explore Sleep Support Packages here: Sleep Support Packages

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Or if you're raising twins, my Free Twin Sleep Foundations Guide includes practical strategies for understanding wake windows, synchronising routines, and building healthy sleep foundations from birth to 18 months.

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