Colic and the evening witching hour

What colic and the "witching hour" are

Many babies have a fussy stretch in the late afternoon or evening — often called the "witching hour," though it can last longer. Colic describes frequent, intense crying in an otherwise healthy, well-fed baby, often following the "rule of threes": crying for more than three hours a day, more than three days a week, for more than three weeks.

Normal crying peaks and eases

Crying tends to increase from a couple of weeks of age, peak around 6 weeks, and ease by around 3 to 4 months. This normal pattern is sometimes called the period of PURPLE crying — a reminder that intense, hard-to-soothe crying can be a normal phase that passes.

Soothing approaches to try

• Holding skin-to-skin, gentle motion, or a carrier walk
• Swaddling, white noise, or soft shushing
• A calm, dim environment to reduce stimulation
• Offering a feed or a clean finger or pacifier to suck

Caring for yourself

Relentless crying is exhausting and can feel overwhelming. If you need to, place your baby safely on their back in a crib and step away for a few minutes to calm down. Never shake a baby. Share the load with a partner or trusted person whenever you can.

When to seek help

Contact your pediatrician if the crying is new and sudden, sounds unusual, or comes with fever, poor feeding, vomiting, or unusual sleepiness — these can point to a cause that needs checking. Reach out for support if the crying is affecting your wellbeing.