And always make a call if there are any signs of sickness in addition to crying, such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea or a refusal to eat, or if she seems uncomfortable (it could be a sign of reflux).Hang in there during the witching hour and know that this phase is short-lived. Grab a few minutes alone to recharge and try to soothe her later.Ĭheck with your pediatrician if your little one's crying seems like it’s due to pain or it lasts for more than three hours. Still got tears? Ease your own frustration and pass that baby off to a fresh set of hands. Ask your pediatrician for guidance when cutting out foods. Certain tastes may be bothering your baby (spicy foods, cruciferous vegetables, dairy) and some substances can stimulate, such as caffeine. If you’re breastfeeding or offering bottles via the pump, consider your meals over the past couple of days. Slow, gentle stroking on her forehead, back or belly might do the trick. Add white noise or a fan if the droning sound helps to lull her. Sometimes a quiet, dimly lit room can help ease the witching hour. A snug wrap in a receiving blanket can also recall your baby's womb time. A change of scenery is good for both of you! Take a quick walk in the yard. Swaying, rocking in a chair or easy bouncing while walking can be distracting and calming, and just might remind your sweetie of her days in utero. Many babies will relax and settle down with some non-nutritive sucking. Give the bottle or breast a break and see if a pacifier does the trick. Trusted Source Nationwide Children’s Calming a Fussy Baby See All Sources Once you’ve ruled out the obvious baby issues (dirty or wet diaper, sickness, hunger, too hot, too cold), move on to other ways to ease the tears during the witching hour. Tips to get through the witching hour with a fussy baby Colic, a catch-all term for excessive crying, can be very similar to witching hour crying as it happens at a predictable time, usually in the evening. Your wee one may indeed be crying because of colic, which also peaks around 6 weeks of age. Remember, your infant just emerged from a dark and muffled womb and the experience of the big bright world can sometimes be too much to handle. Lights, noise, dog barking - you name it and it can rattle a newborn. Yours may have had a skimpy nap, for example, which can mean extra tears. We’re all tired at day’s end, but infants are especially worn out. Trusted Source USDA WIC Breastfeeding Support Cluster Feeding and Growth Spurts See All Sources Are you nursing or giving a bottle nonstop during the witching hour? Known as cluster feeds, these sessions can occur every 30 minutes to an hour. Your infant could be hungrier than usual, spurred on by a growth spurt, which happens around the 2- to 3- week mark and again at 3 months. Here’s what may be behind your little one's evening tears: Trusted Source La Leche League GB Fussy Evenings With a Newborn See All Sources The reasons for the witching hour are varied. Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Colic See All Sources Why do some babies have a witching hour? The witching hour is sometimes conflated with a case of colic, since babies with colic often cry the same way for up to two or three hours a day. But many newborns are famously cranky during the evening witching hour, with tears often peaking between 6 and 8 weeks. Instead, this timeframe may be accompanied by fussing that can progress over time to full-throated wailing.Ĭrying is, of course, very common for babies as it’s the only method of communication that they have. to 11 p.m., just when the day is ending and you’d think your infant would be ready to relax and drift off to sleep. The "witching hour" usually begins during the second or third week of life and often occurs during the evening, typically from 5 p.m.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |