Crying, colic, and the witching hour

Crying peaks around six to eight weeks and often clusters in the evening. Colic is a lot of crying in a healthy baby. It passes, and you need breaks.

What it is

All babies cry, and the amount rises through the first weeks. The evening stretch of fussing many mothers call the witching hour starts around two weeks. Colic is the old word for the far end of this: crying more than three hours a day, more than three days a week, for more than three weeks, in a healthy baby. About 1 in 5 babies meets that rule.

Nobody knows exactly what colic is. Gut immaturity, an overloaded nervous system, and a normal crying curve all get blamed. It is not caused by anything you did, and it does not mean the baby is in danger.

Pediatricians now often use the phrase Period of PURPLE Crying. Each letter stands for a trait: it Peaks around two months, is Unexpected, Resists soothing, looks like Pain, is Long-lasting, and happens in the Evening.

What's typical

Crying rises from about two weeks, peaks at six to eight weeks at around two to three hours a day, and drops by three to four months. Evening is the worst time, often 5 p.m. to midnight. A baby in a crying bout may pull up his legs, clench fists, go red, and pass gas. He still feeds, gains weight, and has calm times.

For most babies, colic is over by 12 to 16 weeks. The hardest part is usually weeks four through ten.

What's known

The AAP and the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome say the single most important fact is this: it is safe to put a crying baby in the crib on his back and walk away for ten minutes. Shaking a baby, even once, can cause brain injury, and crying is the number one trigger. Studies of probiotics, gripe water, and formula changes show mixed or weak results. Ask your pediatrician what they think.

What helps

Soothing moves: swaddle, shush loud and low, sway, offer a pacifier or clean finger, go outside. Rotate through them.
If nothing works and you feel your anger rising, put the baby down in a safe place, shut the door, and breathe for ten minutes. This is good parenting.
Line up an evening handoff. Partner, friend, neighbor, or doula takes 6 to 8 p.m.
Eat dinner before 5 p.m. and keep a one-handed snack by the chair.
Text one person tonight who will not say 'have you tried.'

When to call someone

Nowcrying with a rectal temperature of 100.4°F or higher under three months, green or bloody vomit, a swollen or hard belly, a bulging soft spot, a limp or gray baby, or a high-pitched cry that does not sound like your baby.
Now, for you: if you have the urge to shake or hurt the baby, put the baby down and call someone, 988, or the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-852-6262.
Todaycrying for more than three hours with nothing working, a baby who stops feeding, fewer wet diapers, or a swollen lump in the groin. Check fingers, toes, and penis for a wrapped hair.
At your next visitcrying that fits the colic pattern, crying with a lot of spit-up or arching, or crying that is wearing you down.

Who helps

PediatricianPostpartum doula Perinatal therapist Family and community resources

Tools: Postpartum Prep Checklist · Birthworker Directory · My Birth Team

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Sources

American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org — Colic relief tips for parents
National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome — The Period of PURPLE Crying
NHS — Colic

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