If your baby cries hard for hours and nothing seems to help, you are not failing — and you are far from alone. Long bouts of crying, often worst in the evening, are one of the most common and exhausting parts of early baby life. This article explains what’s likely going on and gives you calm, practical ways to cope.
This is general information, not medical advice — check with your doctor, midwife, or health visitor if you’re worried.
What is colic, and what is the “witching hour”?
Colic is the name for long, intense crying in a baby who is otherwise healthy and well fed. A widely used rule of thumb is crying for more than three hours a day, more than three days a week, for at least a week. It’s a way to describe a pattern — not an illness or a sign of harm.
The “witching hour” is the everyday name for a daily stretch of fussiness, usually in the late afternoon and evening. Many babies who don’t have full-blown colic still have a cranky evening window. Both tend to peak around 6 weeks and ease by 3 to 4 months.
No one fully knows the cause. An immature gut, a developing nervous system, tiredness, and simple overstimulation at the end of a long day are all likely players. The important part: it is not caused by anything you did, and it does not mean your baby is unhappy with you.
How do I soothe a crying baby? The 5 S’s
A popular, gentle approach is the 5 S’s, which recreate the snug, rhythmic feeling of the womb:
- Swaddle — wrap your baby snugly in a light blanket (arms in, hips loose) to help them feel secure. Stop swaddling once your baby shows signs of rolling.
- Side or stomach hold — hold your baby on their side or tummy in your arms to calm them. Always put them on their back to sleep.
- Shush — make a steady “shhh” sound near their ear, or use white noise at a soft, safe volume.
- Swing — gentle, rhythmic motion: rocking, a slow walk, a baby carrier. Always support the head, and never shake your baby.
- Suck — offer the breast, a clean finger, or a pacifier; sucking is naturally calming.
Try one at a time, give each a minute or two, and combine the ones your baby responds to. Babies are individuals — what soothes one may do nothing for another.
What else can help calm the evening fussiness?
Beyond the 5 S’s, small changes can take the edge off a rough evening:
- Feed calmly and often. Whether breast or bottle, slow, unhurried feeds with regular winding (burping) can ease trapped air. Hold your baby a little upright for a while afterward.
- Lower the stimulation. Dim the lights, turn down noise, and keep the evening quiet — an overtired baby calms faster in a low-key space.
- Get outside or change the scene. A walk, a sling, or simply moving to another room often resets a fussy spell.
- Try skin-to-skin and gentle motion. Warm contact, a warm (not hot) bath, or a slow rock can all help.
- Watch the clock loosely. Many babies fuss when overtired, so an earlier wind-down can help more than soothing the meltdown itself.
There’s no single fix, and you may need to rotate through a few. That’s normal — you’re reading your baby, not following a formula.
How do I look after myself through this?
Relentless crying wears anyone down, and your wellbeing matters just as much as your baby’s.
- It’s okay to put your baby down. If you feel overwhelmed, lay your baby safely on their back in the cot, step away for a few minutes, breathe, and come back. A crying baby in a safe space is fine for a short while.
- Never shake a baby. Shaking causes serious harm. If frustration peaks, putting your baby down and taking a break is the safe, right thing to do.
- Share the load. Take turns with a partner, family, or a friend. Even one handover can reset your patience.
- Lower the bar everywhere else. Sleep when you can; let chores wait. Survival mode is allowed.
- Talk about it. Tell your doctor or health visitor how you’re feeling. Constant crying is linked with parental stress and low mood — asking for support is strength, not failure.
When should I see a doctor?
Most of the time, colic and the witching hour pass on their own. But crying can occasionally be a sign of something that needs care. Contact your doctor if your baby:
- Has a fever, is vomiting (especially forcefully), or has diarrhea or blood in the stool.
- Refuses feeds, isn’t having enough wet nappies, or isn’t gaining weight.
- Seems floppy, very drowsy, or hard to wake, or has trouble breathing.
- Has a cry that sounds different — unusually high-pitched, weak, or pained.
- Cries that are getting worse rather than better, or began suddenly after a calm period.
And trust yourself: if something just feels off, it’s always okay to get your baby checked. A quick visit is usually reassuring, and your doctor would far rather see you than have you worry alone.
While you ride this out, our calmer-days guides on how much newborns sleep and how often to feed a newborn can help you smooth out the rest of the day around these tougher evening hours.
This article is for general information only and isn’t medical advice. Crying patterns vary, and for any concern about your baby, your healthcare provider is the best person to ask.