How to navigate witching hour with your newborn baby 

If you have a newborn baby, and experiencing newborn witching hour, this blog is for you! Emotions can run high during the newborn phase; excitement, worry, joy, frustration – the full gamut! Having navigated through this phase with both my baby’s, I know exactly how overwhelmed and lost you may feel on this chapter of the journey. Deep breath. It won’t be this hard forever. 

What you’ll learn from this blog:

• Normal newborn sleep + reasons for witching hour
• Strategies to try during witching hour
• Support for you

Normal newborn sleep + causes of newborn witching hour

If your newborn is fussy, difficult to settle in the evening hours and you’re feeling tapped out by 9pm, this is a normal newborn stage.

As covered in this previous blog about newborn sleep, the only thing predictable about newborn sleep is how unpredictable it truly can be.

Many families find the evening hours, anywhere from 5pm-11pm, to be extremely difficult for their babies. Witching hour begins around 2-3 weeks old, can peak around 6-8 weeks and usually resolves by 3-4 months. Witching hour for newborns often occurs because they are overtired, maybe overstimulated from the day, gassy or extra hungry (cluster feeding!). 

If you’re a breastfeeding parent, the hormone prolactin (which is for promoting milk production) dips in the evening making supply not as bountiful during these evening hours. If your babe just fed, but seems hungry still, see if they’ll latch again. 

If you have concerns about the pattern of your baby’s fussy behaviour, or level of discomfort, please connect with your child’s primary care provider. Trust your instincts and advocate if you don’t feel heard in your concerns. You know your baby best!

Strategies to try during newborn witching hour(s)

1. Dr. Harvey Karp’s 5’s

• Swaddle

• • • Helps to replicate the tight fit they had in utero which can be comforting to your baby.

• Side/Stomach 

• • • A position to hold baby in your arms, while in a swaddle, and using other S options (e.g., sway with baby in your arms, have them suck on a pacifier when in this position).
    • side/stomach are not for sleeping.

• Sway

• • • Motion to help settle babe. Having your baby in a carrier can help you be hands free and provide baby constant motion and closeness.

• Suck

• • • Pacifier, breast or bottle – anything that can help baby suck to soothe!

• Shush

• • Hold them close and offer a “shush, shush, shush” sound 

2. Sound

• Use a sound machine, read more about them here, to calm your  baby. Consider using rain or static sound, rather than a lullaby, to provide them the constant loud sounds they were accustomed to in the womb.

3. Skin-to-skin 

• While monitoring your baby’s temperature, take off their clothing and rest with them skin-to-skin against your (or your partner’s!) chest. A soft wrap carrier would also be a great way to do skin-to-skin while using motion for soothing as well.
• Cozy up and have a bath with your baby. You might both be relaxed after this activity. Dim the lights in the bathroom and have a warm towel ready for both of you afterwards.

4. Support

• If possible, have your partner or an extra caregiver be present during these most challenging hours to give you a break. 
• A postpartum doula can be especially helpful during this time (if you need a recommendation, please reach out!)

5. Scenery

• Change up the physical environment where you’re trying to soothe your baby. Take a walk outside. Dim the lights inside their room. Go for a drive. 

Support for Parent

There is no denying that bringing a newborn baby home throws a curveball into how your day (and nights) will go. Sometimes, basic needs get pushed aside to care for a newborn. This is your sign to have a drink of water. Get a snack (even if it’s a spoonful of peanut butter). 

Have a plan with your partner for the tough moments. Before your baby even comes home, have a conversation with your partner about sharing the load on these tough evenings. Have a safe word to cue each other when you are tapping out for a break. Breaks are ok! 

The newborn phase can be tough. Remember in those hard moments, this is a phase. It won’t be this way forever and YOU can do this! If you’re looking for local postpartum support, please reach out and I will guide you to some AMAZING local resources for families. 

 

Wishing you a supported and calm newborn sleep journey.

Chelsea

Chelsea is Mom of 2 young kids and a Certified Baby Sleep Consultant supporting families within Hamilton and beyond using gentle, effective, evidence-based strategies. She has a Masters of Professional Education and over 10 years of professional experience in parent coaching. She works collaboratively with families to empower them with the confidence and tools they need to reach their unique sleep goals. Hear what other rested families are saying about the process and Book a free call with Chelsea to discuss how she can support your family’s sleep journey.