It can last a few minutes to a couple of hours. For most babies, the witching hour starts to occur around 2-3 weeks and peaks at 6 weeks. It will typically completely resolve by 3-4 months.
How do I get rid of the witching hour?
5 tips to survive the witching hour
- Move up bedtime to prevent overstimulation. It might sound counter-intuitive, but it works. ...
- Set a nap routine to avoid an overtired baby. ...
- Create a bedtime routine with positive sleep associations. ...
- Add a feeding or cluster feeding. ...
- Dress baby in Zen Sleepwear™
What causes witching hour?
Your baby may be suffering from a build up of wind and gas from their feeds throughout the day. This is a common cause for the witching hour baby. Babies have an immature digestion so if they take in excess air as they feed (for various reasons) then it sits in the gut, creating an uncomfortable and bloated feeling.
