As a new parent, we want nothing more than a happy baby. Hearing your baby cry can be difficult and stressful. While you know crying is a part of the package, you perhaps never imagined that your baby could be crying for hours on end. Don’t stress too much – it’s called the Witching Hour!
Dealing with a fussy baby can be very overwhelming.
Many babies go through a phase in which they cry continuously for a certain period of time each day. This can be especially stressful because they are often difficult, if not impossible, to console.
If you have a baby going through one of these fussy phases, the most important thing to remind yourself is that you are not alone and… this is normal. Although it can be very stressful, it really is just a short time in the grand scheme of things.
The best way to handle this is to simply accept that some babies go through this! It is what it is! This has nothing to do with you or your parenting skills. It doesn’t even have anything to do with your baby, per se. Try to understand why its happening and try to follow the advice below as best you can, to hopefully avoid the witching hour.
For your convenience, this post has been broken down into the following parts:
- What is the witching hour for babies?
- When does it start?
- What causes it?
- Effective ways of dealing with the witching hour.
What Is The Witching Hour For Babies?
The baby witching hour refers to a period of time each day that very young babies cry uncontrollably. During this time, parents often feel quite helpless, as it can be difficult to comfort your baby.
If you are a nursing mother, this hour may mean your baby is constantly at the breast. Although, often the little one will still be fussy and frequently pulling away upset. This can be especially difficult because this means much of the work falls on the mother. In this situation, it is very important that you find someone to help you during the times when your baby will be extra needy.
When Does It Start?
For most babies, this starts about 2-3 weeks after birth. It often peaks by the time the baby is 8 weeks old. This can be a difficult time especially for new parents who are just getting used to taking care of a new baby.
The baby witching hour usually occurs in the late afternoon or evening. Although the term “hour” can be deceiving. For some babies, it does last about an hour each day. For other babies, the crying can last quite a few hours and it may feel like there is little you can do to help.
What Causes The Baby Witching Hour?
Many believe that there is no real cause of this phase. However, there are a few things that could potentially cause your baby to act and feel upset. If you assume this is out of your control, you may be missing out on an easy solution.
Before you assume that there is nothing you can do for you little one, consider the following issues and potential remedies: