Surviving the witching hour: Top tips for new mums
Struggling with the witching hour? Discover 9 easy expert tips to help calm your baby and reduce stress during the fussy evenings between 4 pm and 10 pm.
The Witching Hour: Navigating Your Baby’s Fussy Evenings
The witching hour — those tough evenings when your baby seems fussy, often from around 4 pm to 10 pm. This phase is common in the early months of your baby’s life but can be incredibly challenging, leaving many new mums feeling frustrated and helpless.
As your baby adjusts to life outside the womb, this time can be especially overwhelming. But don't worry, you're not alone — and there are simple strategies to help calm your baby, reduce your stress, and get through this period with ease.
Here are my top tips for surviving the witching hour:
1. Feeding to calm down – Your superpower!
Breastfeeding or bottle-feeding can be a great way to calm your baby during the witching hour. Remember, feeding is not only about nutrition — it’s also a form of comfort. Don’t worry about creating “bad habits”; this is your baby’s way of finding reassurance, and it’s completely normal.
2. Prepare for bed early
Try to get yourself ready for bed before the witching hour begins. This means having a shower, getting into your pyjamas, and preparing for the night. When your baby finally falls asleep, you can rest immediately, making the whole experience easier on both of you. An added bonus is showering or bathing with your baby, which provides closeness and comfort.
4. Humming for calm
Humming is a great way to activate your vagus nerve, a key player in relaxation. The vibrations from your humming will not only help you relax but also soothe your baby. Give it a try during fussy moments!
5. Minimise stimulants
Reducing bright lights, loud noises, and active play in the room during the witching hour can help avoid overstimulation — for both you and your baby. A calm, quiet environment will ease the stress and help your baby settle faster.
6. Watch your diet
What you eat can affect your baby, especially if you're breastfeeding. Avoid spicy foods, caffeine, and other potential irritants that could make your baby more fussy. A balanced, soothing diet can help both you and your baby feel more relaxed.
7. Lower your expectations & don’t focus on the clock
It’s easy to get frustrated when things don’t go according to plan. During the witching hour, lower your expectations. Don’t expect a long nap or immediate calm. Instead, focus on the moment, and avoid looking at the clock. The less you focus on how long it’s taking, the less overwhelming the situation will feel.
8. Stay hydrated and snack up!
As a new mum, it’s important to make sure you're eating and drinking enough throughout the day. Keep snacks and drinks close by — and make sure to choose easy-to-eat options that can be enjoyed with one hand while holding your baby. Staying nourished will help you manage those stressful moments
9. Ask for help when you need it
Don’t hesitate to reach out for support! Whether it’s having loved ones visit in the evening, or asking for help from a postpartum doula, asking for help is key. You may also consider holistic support from professionals like reflexologists, osteopaths, or homeopaths to address both physical and emotional concerns.
BabyCare Gold Coast offers Holistic Postpartum Support designed to help new mums navigate the early days of motherhood with ease and confidence.
Our services include Postpartum Doula support, Baby Reflexology, and Pregnancy and Postpartum Counselling, providing holistic, natural postnatal care.
With a focus on postpartum healing and mental health for new mums, we support new mums with birth trauma recovery, emotional well-being, postpartum anxiety, “baby blues”, emotional healing after birth, and holistic baby care.
Postpartum Doula postnatal in-home support is available in the Southern Gold Coast, including areas from Coolangatta, Tweed Heads, Kirra, Palm Beach, Burleigh Heads, Miami, Mermaid Beach, and Broadbeach.
Baby Reflexology is a natural way to address common early life challenges like colic, reflux, sleep difficulties, breastfeeding struggles, stomach issues, teething, stiffness, restlessness, and fussiness to bring relief and comfort to both baby and mum.
Pregnancy and Postnatal Counselling is available both in-person and online, via Zoom. Themes to explore in Perinatal Counselling can include planning your postpartum, integrating your pregnancy and birth journey, navigating relationship changes and new family dynamics, processing changes in body, mind, and identity, coping with sadness or nostalgia for life before motherhood, finding your place in motherhood, and addressing intrusive thoughts or other unspoken struggles.
Our treatment room is located at 58 Railway Street, 4213 Mudgeeraba Gold Coast.
Our pricing is planned to provide affordable support options, making it accessible and suitable for all mums, no matter where you are in your postpartum journey.
Every Mum deserves to experience a joyful and peaceful postpartum. From struggle and survival to joy and ease.