Witching Hour vs Colic

Originally published on May 22, 2014; Revised March 28, 2025

Author: Robin Kaplan, M.Ed, IBCLC, FNC

Welcoming a new baby into your life is an incredible experience, but it can also come with challenges—especially when it comes to fussiness and crying. One of the most confusing and exhausting parts of early parenthood is dealing with periods of intense crying, sometimes called “colic” or the “witching hours.” While both involve periods of crying and discomfort, colic tends to be more prolonged and difficult to soothe compared to the witching hours. While it can be overwhelming, understanding these behaviors can make it easier to navigate and find ways to soothe your little one. 

ABOUT SDBFC

The San Diego Breastfeeding Center was established in 2009 by Robin Kaplan, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, Functional Nutritionist, and parent.  Her vision was to create a judgment-free, inclusive support system for families navigating infant feeding challenges.  SDBFC offers a wide range of one-on-one breastfeeding, infant feeding, and nutrition consultations - as well as classes, support groups, online articles, and social media - making it your one-stop-shop for all things infant feeding!

What Are the Witching Hours?

The witching hours are a period of increased fussiness that almost all babies experience, usually occurring in the late afternoon and evening. It often begins around 2 to 3 weeks of age, peaks around 6 weeks, and typically fades by 3 months. During this time, your baby may want to cluster feed—feeding frequently for short periods and seeming fussier than usual. It might feel like your baby doesn’t know what they want: they may latch on to nurse for a few minutes, fall asleep, and then wake up shortly after, wanting to feed again. It’s also common for babies to give hunger cues but then pull off the breast and cry. 

Why Do the Witching Hours Happen?

While we can’t know for sure why babies have these fussy periods, there are a few theories that may explain it:

• Lower Milk Supply: Many parents notice that their milk supply naturally decreases a bit as the day goes on. This is completely normal and doesn’t mean you aren’t producing enough milk. However, a slower milk flow can make babies feel frustrated and want to nurse more frequently.

• Overstimulation: After a long day full of new sights, sounds, and experiences, your baby may feel overwhelmed and unable to settle. This can be especially true if your household gets busier in the evening, with partners coming home, older siblings returning from school, and dinner being prepared.

• Normal Developmental Phases: Babies are constantly growing and changing, and some developmental leaps may make them a bit fussier as they adjust.

What Can You Do to Help Your Baby During the Witching Hours?

While you may not be able to eliminate fussiness completely, there are plenty of strategies to make this period easier for both you and your baby:

• Feed Frequently: Offer the chest/breast often, even if it feels like they just ate. Cluster feeding is normal and sucking helps to calm your baby’s nervous system. 

• Babywearing: Learning to nurse in a carrier can be a game changer. Wearing your baby keeps them close and soothed while giving you the freedom to move around and get things done (ie feed yourself!)

• Prepare Ahead of Time: Consider making dinner earlier in the day or having easy meals ready to go, so you’re not stressed about cooking during your baby’s fussy period.

• Fresh Air and Movement: Taking a walk with your baby in a carrier or stroller can help both of you reset. The fresh air and gentle motion can be incredibly calming.

• Ask for Help: Don’t hesitate to let your partner or support person step in. Sometimes you need a break to recharge, and that’s okay!

What Is Colic?

Colic is different from the witching hours and is typically defined as crying that lasts off and on for more than three hours a day, at least three days a week, for three weeks or longer. Colicky crying is often more intense and harder to soothe, and babies may show signs of physical discomfort like arching their back, tensing their legs, or appearing gassy. Colic usually starts in the first few weeks and resolves once the root cause(s) has been identified.

What Causes Colic?

There’s no definitive answer to what causes colic, but some possible factors include:

• Oversupply or Forceful Letdown: An abundant milk supply or fast flow can cause a baby to gulp air, leading to gas and discomfort.

• Foremilk-Hindmilk Imbalance: Too much lower-calorie foremilk and not enough higher-calorie hindmilk can upset a baby’s stomach, causing gassiness.

• Oral Ties: Tongue-tie or lip-tie can make it difficult for a baby to latch well, leading to swallowing air during feedings and difficulties getting enough at each feeding session.

• Dietary Sensitivities: Sometimes, something in the parent’s diet (like dairy, soy, gluten, or egg) might affect the baby’s digestion.  

• Antibiotic Use and Gut Inflammation: If the baby or lactating parent has recently taken antibiotics, it may disrupt the baby’s gut microbiome, leading to digestive discomfort and increased fussiness.

How Can You Help a Colicky Baby?

• Adjust Chest/Breastfeeding Positions: Try laid-back chest/breastfeeding to slow down your milk flow and help your baby pace themselves more effectively while feeding.

• Keep a Food Journal: Track your diet and your baby’s symptoms to see if any specific foods seem to trigger fussiness. We can help identify trigger foods or root causes of gut inflammation and discomfort during a functional nutrition appointment. (Click here to find out more information about these functional nutrition appointments)

• Seek Support: An International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) can help identify potential issues like oversupply, oral ties, or feeding challenges. (Click here for more details on the types of lactation appointments we offer!)

Most importantly, remember that this phase will pass. The witching hour typically resolves by 3 months as babies become less sensitive to their environments. Colic can often be remedied as soon as the root cause(s) is identified and addressed. It’s completely normal to feel stressed and overwhelmed, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Reach out for support from your partner, family, friends, and professionals who can help you navigate this challenging time.

If you’re feeling unsure about your baby’s feeding patterns, fussiness, or gut discomfort, know that you’re not alone—we’re here to help! Our team of experienced lactation consultants and functional nutrition experts is ready to support you. Whether you need guidance on soothing techniques, feeding adjustments, or identifying root causes of discomfort, we’re here to provide personalized care. Schedule a one-on-one appointment with one of our lactation consultants or functional nutrition counselors for expert advice tailored to your baby’s unique needs.

SDBFC is committed to providing high-quality lactation and functional nutrition consultations to parents in San Diego and beyond. Explore our postpartum, prenatal, and functional nutrition consultations, take a breastfeeding class or attend a workshop.

About the Author

Robin Kaplan has been an IBCLC since 2009, the same year that she opened up the San Diego Breastfeeding Center.  Robin was the founding host of the Boob Group podcast and published her first book, Latch: a Handbook for Breastfeeding with Confidence at Every Stage in 2018.  Melding her passions for supporting lactating parents and holistic health, Robin finished her Functional Nutrition Certification in 2023. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with her two teenage boys, hiking, traveling, weaving, cooking, and searching for the best chai latte.

I’ve Had My Baby - Now What? Breastfeeding During Weeks 3-6

Welcome back to our new series, I’ve Had My Baby - Now What?  This is a guide with basic information to help you navigate the first days, weeks, and months of breastfeeding your new baby.  

Today we’d like to talk about weeks 3 through 6 of your baby’s life, and what breastfeeding looks like.  What can you expect for normal behavior from your new baby, and when do you know there’s a problem that you should seek professional help for?

What does normal breastfeeding look like in weeks 3-6?  How often should my baby be eating, and how long should feedings take?

It’s extremely common for babies at this age to still want to feed frequently, every 2-3 hours.  Some *may* become more efficient and take in more at feedings and start to space them out a bit more, but don’t fear if your baby hasn’t done this yet!  Feedings may start to speed up as mom’s milk volume is higher and baby has had good practice breastfeeding, but again, don’t worry if your baby still feeds at the breast for as long as he/she did in the early weeks.  It can take some time for mom and baby to really get their groove and you may still be working out some kinks during weeks 3 through 6.

How much weight should my baby be gaining at this age?  How will I know if he/she is getting enough when I’m not seeing my pediatrician as frequently for weight checks?

Up to 4 months of age, we expect babies to gain .5-1 oz/day, or 4-7 ounces a week.  There are many ways other than weight to be sure that your baby is getting enough milk.  If your baby is having plenty of wet and soiled diapers each day, and generally seems content after feedings for two hours or more (outside of growth spurts and cluster feeding periods), you can feel good that he/she is probably getting enough.  If you want a little more concrete evidence, a great way to track your baby’s weight is by attending a free weekly breastfeeding support group.  There will often be a scale there to weigh your baby, you can do test weights to see how much baby is taking during that feeding, get help from a lactation consultant or educator, and, the BEST part, meet and connect with other moms.

Can I give my baby a bottle now?  If so, who should give it and how often should they do so?

 Once breastfeeding has been established, weeks 3-5 are the perfect time to introduce a bottle to your baby if you’d like them to take one.  It’s normally best that someone other than mom gives the baby the bottle, as babies often associate mom with breastfeeding and may refuse a bottle from her.  Plus, often times, partners and grandparents have been waiting for their moment to participate in the feeding of the baby.  We recommend that mom start pumping after week 3, once a day or so, to start to save up milk for that first bottle.  2-3oz is an appropriate amount to start with.  Be sure that the bottle is fed to the baby in a breastfeeding friendly manner.  If mom is going back to work, we recommend that baby receives a bottle on a somewhat regular basis, a few times a week, so that he/she remains familiar with it.  Plus, mom should pump every time baby receives a bottle to maintain her milk supply.

My baby is inconsolable for a few hours in the evenings.  Why is this happening and what can I do?

Many babies have a “witching hour”, or as I like to call it, “an unhappy hour”.  The term is a bit misleading as the behavior normally lasts for more than an hour!  It occurs most frequently in the late afternoon/evening hours.  Babies are often fussier than normal during this time, and want to eat often.  And while they want to feed often, they may pull off more frequently as well.  There are a number of theories as to what causes this fussiness at this time.  They may be feeding often to “tank up” on calories before taking a long sleep (sounds wonderful!).  They may be overstimulated from their day and having a hard time winding themselves down.  This is often a busy time for the entire household, as partners are home from work and older siblings may be home from school.  Best thing that you can do during this time is to offer the breast often.  Learning to nurse in a baby carrier can be a lifesaver as it will allow you to be hands-free while the baby is snuggled, fed, and comforted.

How will I know if my baby is colicky?  Is this the same as the ‘witching hour?’

Many parents confuse normal fussy behavior for colic.  Colic is defined as 3 hours or more of crying, 3 or more times a week, for 3 or more weeks in a row.  It normally resolves itself around month 4.  If your baby’s crying looks like this, he/she may have colic.  There are no definitive cause for colic, but it could be related to gut issues due to food sensitivities.  The “witching hour” is the period of time of day when your baby may seem unusually fussy, normally lasting for a couple of hours. This behavior peaks around 6 weeks and then often starts to fade.

If I am still having a challenging time building up my milk supply at this time, have I missed the window for increasing my milk supply?

Not at all!  Depending on the reason for mom’s low supply, there are plenty of things that can help boost  supply at this stage.  The most important thing is to learn why mom is struggling with her milk supply.  As always, lots of good breast stimulation is best - either from a baby or a hospital grade pump. There are also herbs and medications that are available that can help boost supply as well.

There may be times when things aren’t going the way they should.  If you find this, please contact an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant to help you.  Some signs that you might need some additional help:

• Sore, cracked, bruised, or bleeding nipples.

• Baby is gaining less than 4oz per week.

• You suspect your baby may be tongue-tied.

• Painful, recurrent engorgement.

• Oversupply.

• Baby is having problems stooling.

• Overly gassy, fussy, or colicky baby.

• Breast infection - mastitis, abscess, or thrush.

For  more information about what normal breastfeeding looks like in the first few weeks, check out our article,What Every Mom Should Know About Breastfeeding During the Early Weeks, which highlights our brand new brochure!  Also, check out Ashley as she discusses more tips and tricks for breastfeeding during weeks 3-6 on the Boob Group episode, New Mom Breastfeeding Manual: Weeks 3-6.

Help a Mama Out: Surviving Your Baby’s Witching Hours

‘Help a Mama Out’ Topic of the Week: What are Your Best Tips for Surviving Your Baby’s Witching Hours?

Ashley: Wearing the baby during the evening hours.  Prepping dinner earlier in the day so that I didn’t have to do it during my baby’s fussy time.  Setting aside special activities for my then 3-year old that she could do on her own or with little help from me, just in case I needed to be sitting on the couch, constantly nursing the baby.  Reminding myself that this was temporary and would pass!

Karen: Feeding a little at a time, more frequently.  I read when #4 had HORRIBLE colic that there are some cultures where babies never experience colic.  In all of these communities, babies are worn and are on and off the boob all day, so they eat small meals very frequently.  

Kat: Support from my husband was really crucial during this time. I would nurse my son and concentrate on him while my husband got dinner ready.  Holding and wearing baby helped the most.  Also, fresh air worked wonders!

Lori: Babywearing…. I would also batch cook on the weekend when Daddy was home so that come dinner time, all I had to do was heat it up.

Catie: Remain calm…. Baby seemed to sense the angst and it only made things worse.  Often baby and I both needed a breather.  My husband was deployed when my son went through the worst of it so handing him off wasn’t an option.  I would set him down in a swing or bouncy chair with a toy, walk to another room and take 30 seconds minimum to breathe, drink some water, etc.  If baby was happy, I took a break away from him since we were obviously over-stimulating each other.  Then, back to nursing, rocking, wearing, walking, etc…. until we could both get a good nap!

Janina: Babywearing, smaller feedings, burp a lot, white noise, gripe water at the first sign of crying, rocking, and time. 

Christina: Wearing and then walking – close to mom, plus amazing fresh air and rhythmic movements.  Sometimes getting into a warm bath with my daughter helped, too.

Shelly: Lowering my expectations.  Fussy babies meant nothing was getting done except baby care.  Going for a walk helped clear my head and the change of scenery almost always calmed them down.

Kathryn: Bouncing on the exercise ball and the vacuum was a lifesaver.

Grace: Adjusting my diet (cutting out gluten and dairy because those were his colic culprits).  Make the day less chaotic by staying home or no visitors, low lights, soothing music.  Skin to skin.  Take a warm bath with baby on my chest.  Baby massage with some coconut oil and lavender oil.  Colic Calm if it lasts more than an hour.

Turath: Our baby’s witching hour turned out to be a dairy sensitivity, so after I cut out dairy we haven’t had any problems.  Definitely babywearing!  This article has lots of great tips…. It’s sleep related, but I think many of the tips will work for calming a fussy baby.  http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/parenting/fussy-baby/31-ways-get-your-baby-sleep-and-stay-asleep

Rhianna: Try putting them to bed earlier.  Once we instituted a 6pm bedtime, it was MUCH easier!

Kenyatta: Wear them!  Familiarity (routine, music, lighting, smells) and calm.

Here are a few of my favorite articles:

A Checklist of 36 Time-Tested Baby Calmers 

The Phenomenon of Late Afternoon/Early Evening Infant Crying: Part 1

The Phenomenon of Late Afternoon/Early Evening Infant Crying: Part 2