The witching hour in babies: what it is and how to cope
If your newborn transforms into an inconsolable crier every afternoon or evening, you are not alone and you are not doing anything wrong. This stretch of intense fussiness is so common it has picked up the name "the witching hour", and it is closely tied to what the NHS calls colic. This article walks you through what the NHS says about colic, what it looks like, how long it tends to last, and what you can actually try to help everyone get through it.
What is colic?
The NHS defines colic as a baby who cries a lot but has no obvious cause for the distress. The key word is otherwise healthy: a baby with colic is feeding, growing, and showing no signs of illness, yet still spends long stretches crying intensely. It is a common experience in the newborn months, not a sign that something is medically wrong, and not a reflection of how well you are parenting.
Doctors use a rough rule of threes to identify colic. A baby may have colic if they:
- Cry for more than 3 hours a day
- On more than 3 days a week
- For at least one week running
- While remaining otherwise well and healthy
Not every baby with an intense witching hour meets every point on that list, but it gives you a sense of the scale of crying we are talking about.
When does the witching hour happen?
According to NHS guidance, these crying episodes tend to intensify during the afternoon and evening. That timing is why the witching hour tends to fall when many families are at their most stretched: one parent may be arriving home from work, dinner needs making, and older children need attention. The crying itself is not timed to be inconvenient, it simply coincides with a natural rhythm in your baby's day.
Colic typically appears when babies are a few weeks old. The reassuring part is that it usually resolves by around 3 to 4 months. For most families this means a period of weeks rather than months of intensive evening crying before things settle down naturally.
What does colic look like?
During a colic episode you may notice several things happening at once. These signs, listed in NHS guidance, can help you recognise what you are dealing with:
- Clenched fists, often held tight against the body
- A flushed or reddened face from the effort of crying
- The baby drawing their knees up toward their stomach
- Arching the back during or between cries
- Difficulty settling no matter what you try
- Passing wind more than usual
These physical signs can look alarming, but they are common features of colic episodes rather than indicators of a serious problem. If you are ever uncertain, contacting your health visitor or GP is always the right call.
Why does colic happen?
Honestly, nobody knows for certain. The NHS is clear that the exact cause of colic is not fully understood. Researchers have explored several possibilities over the years, including an immature digestive system that is still adapting to processing milk, and in some cases a sensitivity or allergy to cow's milk protein. Neither explanation has been proven to be the definitive cause, which is part of why colic can feel so frustrating: there is no single switch to flick.
What this also means is that you should be cautious about remedies that claim a guaranteed fix. The NHS notes that anti-colic drops, herbal supplements, and probiotic preparations do not have strong evidence behind them. Spending money on these products is unlikely to change how your evenings go.
What can help during a colic episode?
There is no cure for colic, but the NHS does outline a range of approaches that many parents find helpful. None of them work every time for every baby, so it is worth trying a few and seeing what your baby responds to on any given evening.
- Hold and cuddle your baby. Physical closeness and warmth can help your baby feel more settled during a distressing episode.
- Keep your baby upright during and after feeds. This may reduce the amount of air swallowed, which can add to discomfort.
- Wind your baby thoroughly after feeding. Gentle back-patting or rubbing while holding your baby upright gives trapped wind a chance to escape.
- Try gentle rocking. Rhythmic movement, whether in your arms, a bouncer, or a pram pushed back and forth, can be calming for some babies.
- Offer a warm bath. The warmth and sensation of bathtime sometimes helps a baby who is wound up to relax a little.
- Use soft background noise. A gentle, consistent sound such as white noise or low music can help soothe an overstimulated baby.
It also helps to take turns with a partner, family member, or friend if that is possible. Listening to intense crying for extended periods is genuinely exhausting, and stepping away for a few minutes while someone else takes over is not giving up. It is sensible self-care that keeps you safe to care for your baby.
When to get help
Colic is not a medical emergency, but there are situations where you should seek professional guidance promptly. The NHS recommends contacting NHS 111 or your GP if:
- You are worried about your baby's crying for any reason
- The soothing strategies you have tried are not making any difference
- Your baby is not gaining weight as expected
- The symptoms continue past 4 months of age
Your health visitor is also a good first point of contact. They can reassure you, check your baby over, and offer support tailored to your situation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the witching hour in babies?
The witching hour refers to a period, usually in the late afternoon or evening, when a baby cries much more intensely than at other times of day with no clear reason. It is closely linked to colic, which the NHS describes as a baby who cries a lot without an obvious cause while remaining otherwise healthy.
When does the witching hour start and end?
NHS guidance notes that crying episodes tend to be most intense during the afternoon and evening. Colic typically begins when a baby is a few weeks old and usually settles by around 3 to 4 months of age.
How do I know if my baby has colic?
According to the NHS, a baby may have colic if they cry for more than 3 hours a day, on more than 3 days a week, for at least one week, while otherwise remaining well. During episodes you may notice clenched fists, a flushed face, drawn-up knees, back arching, and more wind than usual.
What can I do to soothe my baby during the witching hour?
The NHS suggests holding and cuddling your baby, keeping them upright during feeds, winding thoroughly after each feed, gentle rocking, a warm bath, and soft background noise. The evidence does not support anti-colic drops or herbal supplements as effective remedies.
When should I contact a doctor about my baby's crying?
Reach out to NHS 111, your GP, or your health visitor if you are concerned, if nothing you try is helping, if your baby is not gaining weight as expected, or if the crying continues beyond 4 months.
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