The Science of the Witching Hour and How New Parents Can Survive It

Many new parents know that as soon as 5 p.m. comes, the terrible “witch hour” begins, which can last until 11 p.m.

Research has shown that inconsolable crying begins two to three weeks after you bring home your bundle of joy, and while it can be unbearable for new parents, there is science to explain why this happens.

Causes of hours of crying there may be discomfort in the stomach, fatigue and overexcitation.

Pediatricians and sleep experts teamed up to support new parents who are going through the witching hour and found tips on how to calm their newborn.

Witching hour is distinct from colic, which is defined as episodes of crying for more than three hours a day, more than three days a week, and occurring for at least three consecutive weeks.

However, some new parents may find that they have a child with colic who is also participating in the witching hour.

Pediatric sleep coaches and medical professionals believe that understanding why the witching hour comes is the beginning of taming it later.

And it is believed that overwork is the number one cause for fussy children.

It may seem that your newborn is constantly sleeping, but he was once in the womb, where he slept almost all hours of the day in a warm environment.

Now they are at peace, sleeping in a new environment that can make them calm.

At this time, children may begin to release adrenaline into the blood, which makes it difficult to fall asleep, and they overwork during the day.

Health professionals recommend taking their bundle of joy outside during the day and late afternoon to help them sleep better at night.

Newborns, too, are just beginning to navigate the world: lights, sounds, and movements are all new and exciting.

This may be too much for their small bodies and they become overly aroused.

By five o’clock, your newborn may have reached stimulation limit and is crying because of it, as a result, he starts crying.

Symptoms of overstimulation include a desire to breastfeed more, clenching fists, and refusing to be touched.

Children’s sleep coach Desiree Baird, mother of twins, recommends eliminating background noise to help your child relax.

“Dim the lights, turn off the TV and go to a quiet room to eat. A soothing environment and a full stomach can be exactly what your child needs during the witching hour, ”Baird shared in an interview. Blog post.

Another reason that can trigger witching hour can be stomach discomfort due to gas or acid reflux – both are very common in newborns due to their developing digestive systems.

Although there is nothing suitable for babies in the pharmacy, mothers can look at their diet to see if any of the foods they eat can help.

WebMD suggests avoiding spicy foods, sugary drinks, and common foods such as beans, broccoli, sprouts, and Brussels sprouts.

Another tip is to add white noise to the mix, which mimics the sounds your baby heard while growing up in your womb and can carry them back to one place they know.

Experts also suggest setting up a sleep routine that consists of bathing for five minutes, feeding for the next 15 minutes, reading a book, and then going to sleep.