Many new parents know that once 5 pm rolls around the dreaded ‘witching hour’ commences and can last until 11 pm.
Research has shown that inconsolable crying starts two to three weeks after you bring your bundle of joy home and while it can be unbearable for new parents, there is a science behind why it happens.
The reasons for hours of screaming could be stomach discomfort, tiredness and overstimulation.
Pediatricians and sleep experts have banded together to support new parents navigating the witching hour and found tips to soothe a newborn.
It is the time of day new parents dread – the witching hour. From 5 pm to 11 pm your newborns inconsolable. Experts reveal why and how to survive it
The witching hour is different from colic, which is defined as episodes of crying for more than three hours during the day, for more than three days a week and happens at least three weeks in a row.
However, some new parents may find they have a colicky baby who also participates in the witching hour.
Pediatric sleep coaches and medical professionals believe understanding why the witching hour happens is a start to taming it later.
And overtired is believed to be the number one reason for fussy babies.
It may seem like your newborn is constantly sleeping, but they were once in the womb, where they slept nearly all hours of the day in a warm environment.
Now they are out in the world, sleeping in a new environment that can make them restful.
During this time babies can start releasing adrenaline into the bloodstream, making it hard to then fall asleep and they become overtired as the day progresses.
Medical professionals suggest taking your bundle of joy outside during the day and late afternoon to help them sleep better at night.
Newborns are also just starting to get their bearings on the world: the lights, sounds and movements are all new and exciting.
The reasons for hours of screaming could be stomach discomfort, tiredness and overstimulation
This can be too much for their little bodies, and they become overstimulated.
By the time five o’clock rolls around, your newborn may have reached their fill of stimulation and is crying because of it, start crying as a result.
Symptoms of overstimulation include wanting to nurse more, clenching fists and not wanting to be touched.
Pediatrics sleep coach Desiree Baird, a mother of twins, recommends eliminating background noise to help your baby relax.
‘Dim the lights, turn off the tv and go to a quiet room to feed. A calming environment and a full belly may be just what your baby needs during the witching hour,’ Baird shared in a blog post.
Another reason that could trigger the witching hour could be stomach discomfort due to gas or acid reflux – both are very common among newborns because of their developing digestive system.
While there is nothing at the pharmacy suitable for babies, mothers can look at their diet to see if any of the foods they’re eating could be contributors.
WebMD suggests eliminating spicy foods, sugary drinks and common culprits like beans, broccoli, cabbage and Brussels sprouts.
Another tip is adding white noise to the mix, which mimics the sounds your baby heard while growing in your womb and can transport them back to the one place they know.
Experts also suggest having a bedtime routine, which consists of bathing them for five minutes, feeding the next 15 minutes, reading a book and then lights out.
