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How to survive the Witching Hour, From a Postpartum Doula

Hey mamas. Regardless of where you are in your motherhood journey, you’ve most likely heard of (or experienced) a ‘witching hour’. In fact- I’m sure it’s been in your Google search history at some point. Although it can be as scary as it sounds- I’m here to walk you through how to tackle it. 

What makes this blog different from any of the Google search engine info you’ve pulled? Experience. My name is Olivia Silva. I’ve been a postpartum doula for about 5 years, and a pediatric nurse for 6. Witching hour in healthy babies can be intimidating- but in medically complex littles? Yikes. The tips I want to share with you are tried and true- through the many babies I’ve had the privilege of taking care of over the years. We’re going to answer some of the most frequently asked questions I’ve received from parents/clients. 

FIRST THINGS FIRST- WHAT IS WITCHING HOUR?

It’s typically a 2-3 hour time frame between the hours of 5p-midnight. However- this varies per baby. Some babies like to choose their witching hour to be between midnight-6a. If that’s you- just know I’m sending a huge hug. During these hours, baby can seem to be fussier than usual. What usually works to soothe them- all of a sudden, doesn’t. Their cues can be without warning- and when they finally do calm, it only lasts for a short time. Again, this can vary per baby- but most likely you’ve experienced at least one of the above scenarios. A lot of parents relate to feelings of helplessness during these hours. You may have even felt like blurting out loud- “who are you and what did you do with my baby?!” If that’s you- here’s hug #2. 

WHAT CAUSES WITCHING HOUR? 

While this can depend on your newborn and your household routine- here are a few common reasons: 

  1. Overstimulation (from the day/changes in the home environment) 
  2. Cluster feeding (even worse if in combination with reflux) 
  3. Undeveloped circadian rhythm (causing overtiredness) 
  4. Digestion/gas pain (usually accompanied with gas)

Or if you’re real lucky- a combination of all of the above. Now- let’s break it down into problem/solution. 

  1. OVERSTIMULATION 

Problem: Typically around this time, your spouse may be coming home from work, dinner is in the works, and everyone is ready to wind down. Lots of change around the house can be anxiety provoking and at times even be overstimulating for your newborn. 

Solution: Put your house to “sleep” when you know witching hour is approaching. Turn off overhead lighting, close the shades and turn on a warm-lit lamp. Turn any possible overstimulating sounds down or off- this could include TV, radio etc. Set the mood. If your baby is soothed with sound- try a brown 

noise (lower frequency than a white noise), some lofi, or even classical music has been a hit! However your family eases into the nighttime, start initating earlier in the afternoon/evening. 

  1. CLUSTER FEEDING 

Problem: Frequent feeding and spitting up causes exhaustion on both mama and baby’s end. It can make it feel impossible to get anything done (including rest), due to the lack of time between feeds. 

Solution: 

Follow baby’s lead- and make yourself comfy. Create a “nursing nest” by compiling all of the essentials next to you in an accessible basket/caddy. I’ve listed a few below to get you started: ● Nursing pillow 

  • Water bottle 
  • One handed snacks 
  • Nipple balm/butter 
  • Phone charger 
  • Burp cloths 
  • Hair ties 
  • Tissues 

Remember that cluster feeding is usually an indication of development, and your baby’s way of increasing your milk supply. In most cases it lasts only a few days, so hang in there- you got this.

  1. UNDEVELOPED CIRCADIUM RHYTHM 

Problem: 

Babies don’t start producing melatonin until 3-4 months of age, so if it seems like your newborn has no set routine- it’s because they don’t. 

Solution: 

  • Expose them to natural daylight in the morning and afternoon. Offer daytime naps in a bright space, and nighttime sleep in a darker one. 
  • Create a simple and predictable bedtime routine- bath, pjs, lotion, book. You can never start this too early. 
  • Use dim lights only for feeds or diaper changes throughout the night- keeping baby in sleepy mode. 

  1. DIGESTION / GAS PAIN 

Problem: The issue here is that this problem can be very layered. From swallowing air, to a formula/milk allergy and beyond- troubleshooting tummy pain can be a trip. 

Solution: 

  • Burping and bicycle kicks- Burping between and after each feed can eliminate a lot of gas in a nonintrusive way. Bicycle kicks are simply positioning baby’s knees up to their chest while moving their legs in a pedaling motion (just like riding a bike). 
  • Nipple flow/bottle type- Dr. Brown’s Anti-Colic bottle can be a life saver for ridding gas and discomfort in babies. It has an internal vent system that channels air away from the milk- very similar to the breast. 
  • Gripe water/gas drops- If all else fails, reach out to your pediatrician. They may recommend a small dosage of an over-the-counter gas relief med. This simple fix can provide your baby with the comfort they need to sleep/eat/soothe. 

Last but not certainly not least- assign a “tap out” person. This could be a spouse, friend, mother or postpartum doula. No one can provide care 24/7 without a break. If your baby’s witching hour is relentless- make sure you have someone you can rely on to take over for you. Give yourself a few minutes to take a shower, wash your face, step outside etc; however self-care looks for you. Recognizing your limits and lowering your expectations during this phase of life is how you will be the happiest in it. And remember, it’s temporary…hug #3. 

Sending you love mama, 

Your postpartum maid of honor.