The Witching Hour: Why Does My Baby Lose the Plot at 5pm?

Ah, the witching hour. That magical (read: maddening) time of day when your sweet little cherub turns into a red-faced, milk-refusing, inconsolable gremlin. It usually strikes somewhere between 5pm and 8pm—right when you thought you might sneak in a hot meal or, dare we say, a moment of peace. But instead? Chaos.

So, what the heck is going on?

What is the witching hour, anyway?

Despite sounding like something out of Harry Potter, the witching hour is very real for parents. It's a daily window of time—often in the late afternoon or early evening—when babies become particularly fussy, cranky, and impossible to soothe. It tends to peak around 6 weeks of age and can last until about 3 to 4 months.

Why does it happen?

There are a few culprits behind this evening meltdown:

Overstimulation: After a whole day of lights, sounds, faces, and activity, your baby is fried. Just like us after a long day, they can get overwhelmed—but they don’t know how to wind down.
Overtiredness: If naps have been short or skipped, your little one is running on empty by the evening.
Cluster feeding: Babies often want to feed more frequently in the evenings. This helps them tank up for a longer stretch of sleep (fingers crossed), but it can feel relentless and frustrating.
Digestive issues: Wind, gas, or an immature tummy can make your baby uncomfortable, and the discomfort seems to peak later in the day.
Your energy: Believe it or not, babies can pick up on your vibes. If you’re stressed, tired, or frazzled (who isn’t by 5pm?), your baby might mirror that energy.

How can you survive it?

You can’t completely avoid the witching hour, but you can make it a little less wild:

Create a calming routine: Dim the lights, play soft music, baby massage, warm bath—whatever helps your bub wind down.
Wear your baby: Babywearing can be a game changer in the evenings. It keeps your baby close, soothed, and often asleep. Bonus: your hands are free to shove a snack in your mouth.
Feed often: Follow your baby’s cues and offer feeds more frequently during this time. It’s totally normal.
Take shifts if you can: If you’ve got a partner or support person around, tag out for a bit. Even a 10-minute breather can save your sanity.
Prep dinner earlier: If you can, prep dinner in the morning or during nap time so you’re not trying to cook one-handed while bouncing a crying baby.
Know it’s a phase: It can feel never-ending, but the witching hour will pass. Soon enough, you’ll be looking back thinking, "Wow, that was rough... but we survived."

A little help from Mod & Tod

Our ultra-soft baby swaddles, sleepwear, and comforters are perfect for calming cranky babes. Whether you're rocking, wearing, or feeding them through the storm, our essentials are designed to make those witching hours a little more manageable.

So hang in there, mama. Pour yourself that cold cuppa, take a deep breath, and remember—it’s not you, it’s the witching hour. And it will get better.