What is the little witch's hour?

If your child tends to be restless around the same time each night, you may be wondering what's going on. When your baby was born, he was sleeping almost constantly. A few weeks later, they could scream for hours. This hectic period is often referred to as the Witching Hour, although it can last up to 3 hours.

Crying is normal for all children. Most spend an average of about 2.2 hours a day. Some babies, however, cry a lot more. Children with colic may cry continuously for 2-3 hours for no apparent reason. Their bouts of crying usually occur around the same time each day, often in the evening.

The good news is that most babies get over this excessive crying by 3 months of age. For some babies, this may take a little longer.

What causes the hour of the little witch?

No one knows what causes these restless periods in babies. About 20% of babies develop colic, usually between 2 and 4 weeks of age. Your child may simply be sensitive to stimulation and not yet able to calm down. Although it is stressful for you, colic will not cause long-term harm or health problems to your baby.

How can I comfort my baby?

All children are different. Over time, you will learn what is best to soothe your child. Here are a few tricks you can try to calm your baby:

Swaddle the baby. Wrapping your baby in a thin blanket will help him feel safe. Your baby's nurse or doctor can teach you how to swaddle if you need help.

Enable white noise. You can try a white noise machine, a fan, or record your heartbeat. These sounds remind the baby that he is in the womb and can calm him down.

Hold your baby in your arms on their left side or stomach. This may help your child's digestion or improve their stomach health. Remember to put your baby on his back in the crib if he falls asleep.

Put your baby in a sling and walk or rock them. This reminds your baby that he is in the womb. This may comfort them.

Give your baby a pacifier or your finger to suck on. If it's not yet time to eat, let your baby suck on your clean finger or pacifier. Most babies are soothed by suckling.

Do not overfeed your baby. Try to wait at least 2-2.5 hours between the start of one feeding and the start of the next. If you overeat, your baby may be uncomfortable.

Check for food sensitivities. If you're breastfeeding, check with your pediatrician to see if cutting out milk or caffeine will change your diet. Some children have signs of a milk protein intolerance that a doctor can identify. If you are giving formula, you can also ask your pediatrician to change the formula for your child.

Keep a diary. Write down when your child's schedule is. This includes when they eat, sleep, wake up and cry. You can find a schedule that you can discuss with your child's primary care physician.

Limit daytime naps. Do not let your child sleep more than 3 hours during the day. Keep the lights dim and quiet in the room when breastfeeding and changing your baby at night.

Check your child's needs. Sometimes a child has no apparent reason to cry. Check if they are:

Hungry. Keep track of when your baby is eating and look for early signs of hunger such as fist sucking.
Cold or hot. Your baby should be wearing about the same number of diapers as you.
Dirty or wet. Check your baby's diaper to see if it needs to be changed.
Spitting up a lot. Some children have gastroesophageal reflux, which can be a cause for concern.
Overexcited. Try to reduce noise and light.
Sick. Take your child's temperature. Make sure they don't have other signs of illness. Call your pediatrician right away if your baby is less than 2 months old and has a temperature of 38 C.
Bored. Sing or hum for your child. Go for a walk to stimulate them.

Take care. Caring for a crying baby is very difficult. If you're feeling overwhelmed, call a friend or relative to babysit while you're on holiday. If there is no one to help you, put your baby in the crib, close the door and take a 10-minute break. Try to do something relaxing during those 10 minutes.

When should I contact a pediatrician?

Crying babies are not usually a medical problem. You should always rule out any medical reason for your baby's crying. Contact your pediatrician if your child has any of the following symptoms: