Often our postpartum doula team is called in to support new parents through a phenomenon known as “The Witching Hours”.
What are these mysterious, sometimes terrifying, hours?
The Witching Hours are a period of time each day, frequently in the early evenings around 5-7 p.m., where your lovable, adorable, cooing newborn (temporarily) turns into a creature you may not recognize. Suddenly, all your best tricks for infant soothing stop working and the “crying for no reason” kicks up a notch. Often this crying rises to an intense, haunted house wailing, level.
Your baby may ask to eat, and then Rage Nurse (scream directly into your breast in between gulps of milk!) or sip for a few moments, only to resume crying again. They may seem unsettled, gassy, irritated, or just uncomfortable. They may just not be content, despite your attempts to master all of the Happiest Baby on the Block’s 5 S’s, and even when you’re typically a certified Swaddling Master™.
What’s really going on here?
Thankfully, your baby isn’t haunted. The Witching Hours are very normal, and a totally expected part of newborn life. Often we, as adults, forget that newborns are people, too. We all (even babies) are entitled to moments of The Grumps. At the end of a day, sometimes we just feel touched out and want to be left alone.
Newborns are no different.
Your sweet baby is likely asking to eat every 15 minutes because they’re trying to do you a (very rude) favor, and pack in some extra calories before bedtime. Plus, if you’re a nursing parent, it’s normal for your milk supple to be a little less abundant in the early evenings because you’re tired, so your little one may be asking to nurse frequently to help boost that supply for you (again, a rude favor!).
So, what is a new parent to do when they’re in the midst of the Witching Hours?
Fear not, New Parents! All hope isn’t lost. The EmDo Postpartum Doulas are sharing their best tips for surviving those intense moments:
Pull out that birth ball and pump. it. up.
Babies love (like, really love) bouncing and movement. Dust off your birth ball and use it in postpartum to provide a little rhythmic, soothing motion (and save your quads from 2,000+ squats).
Get comfy with babywearing.
If you haven’t already, consider investing in a carrier that both fits your baby well, and which you enjoy wearing! Being a carrier keeps your little one close to you, their most prized comfort tool, and they’re able to hear your heartbeat, smell your scent, and get a little movement all at the same time.
Get outside.
Really. Even if it’s dark. Even if it’s a little chilly. Go outside. Sometimes, just the step outside of your home and into fresh air can help settle a crying baby. Other times, you may need to bundle up your baby, or put them into a carrier, and take yourselves for a short walk around the block. Either way, you can help you pass the time with a change of scenery, which does wonders for you both.
Try a bath.
Keeping your baby warm by wrapping them in a hand towel, or with a second washcloth over their body, while submerged in the water, can help the experience be a little more enjoyable. Warm their towel in the dryer while you bath them, to make the transition out of bath a little easier. No need to use soap every time, but the warm water can be soothing for your little one, and when done often, can be come part of a nighttime routine your family might use later on, when you’re setting up routines for sleep.
Create some mood lighting.
Early evenings should be a chance for your family to wind down, if possible. Create a calming, relaxing environment for your baby with dim lighting (we doulas do love our Twinkle Lights!), lamps, or night lights. Try to keep loud voices to a minimal and turn off the screens occasionally.
Tag in your partner, and take a break.
This is the most important one, if we’re being honest here. If all else fails, employ a little team work. Check in with one another and when you’re feeling overwhelmed, tag in the other parent or care giver. Notice if your partner is feeling flustered and offer to step-in for a spell.