Peak fussiness is typical in newborns. Statistics show that 50-70% of babies affect around 6-8 weeks. During this time, babies often cry more in the mornings, evenings, and sometimes at midnight. This period is also known as the “witching hour.” At this phase, babies adjust to new sensations, growth, and changes in their developing systems.
The “witching hour” is usually between “6 PM and midnight”, when babies tend to cry more. This can make parents feel tired and stressed. Learning why babies go through this fussy time can help parents feel ready to handle it.
I am a pediatric nurse with seven years of experience. I’ll share some tips and stories from my work in this article. This article helps parents understand why babies get fussy, gives ways to calm them, and explains when to seek extra help. Knowing what to expect and how to comfort a baby can make the early weeks easier and help parents feel more confident.
Understanding Normal Baby Fussiness: What’s Typical?
Baby fussiness happens when a baby feels upset, cries often, or is difficult to calm. Babies get fussy for many reasons, including hunger, tiredness, too much activity, or an upset stomach. Babies are often more fussy in the late afternoon or evening. Fussiness usually peaks around 6-8 weeks and improves by 3-4 months as babies adjust to their surroundings and calm down independently.
Newborns are fussiest between 6–8 weeks, especially in the evening.
Starts: Around 2–3 weeks
Lasts Daily: 2–4 hours, decreases by 3–4 months
Causes: Overtired or overstimulated
To Calm: Swaddle, use a pacifier, hold skin-to-skin, rock gently, and dim lights.
What Is Normal Baby Fussiness?
Most newborns cry for 1-3 hours daily to communicate that they’re hungry, tired, uncomfortable, or need a diaper change. Babies follow a standard “crying curve,” where fussiness peaks around 6 weeks and gradually decreases by 3-4 months. During this period, they may cry for 2-4 hours daily as they adjust to the outside world. This is normal for newborns, but if you’re worried, it’s a good idea to talk to a doctor.
My story
I’m a mom of two, and I noticed my second baby was fussy when he was about 3 weeks old. That week, he cried a lot. I tried feeding him and rocking him to sleep, but nothing worked. Feeling unsure, I took him to the doctor. The doctor checked him and said it was typical newborn fussiness.
What Causes Babies to Be Fussy?
Several factors can lead to fussiness in newborns, including:
Hunger: Newborns eat often because their tiny stomachs cannot hold much, and hunger is the main reason they get fussy. When babies feel hungry, they may cry or become restless and need frequent feedings to stay comfortable.
Overstimulation: Too much noise, bright lights, or activity makes babies fussy because their senses are sensitive. This can make them cry or feel uncomfortable. A quiet, calm space helps babies feel safe and relax more easily.
Digestive Discomfort: Gas, colic, or reflux make newborns uncomfortable, especially in the evening when digestion is more active. Wet diapers, changes in temperature, or tight clothes also make babies fussy.
Sleep Needs: Babies get cranky when they miss naps or don’t sleep enough.
Tiredness: When babies are too tired, they get fussy and have trouble sleeping. Too much activity or not enough rest also upsets them.
Boredom: Babies need stimulation and interaction to stay engaged.
Growth Spurts: Babies can become fussier during growth spurts and want to eat more often. These periods of growth can last for several days.
Colic: Some babies have long, intense crying spells called colic. These often peak around 6 weeks and improve by 3-4 months.
Illness: A baby may be fussy and have other symptoms if a baby is sick.
My Opinion
Fussiness is typical, but call a doctor if your baby’s crying is intense, lasts long, is hard to calm, or comes with symptoms like fever or low weight gain. “Peak fussiness” around 6 weeks is a normal part of baby growth.
My Baby Is Fussy! Is Something Wrong?
Newborns are commonly fussy during their first three months. Their cry peaks around 2-4 weeks and can be up to 6 weeks. Common reasons for fussiness are hunger, tiredness, overstimulation from sounds or lights, and digestive issues like gas. If your baby settles down after feeding, swaddling, or rocking, it’s usually nothing to worry about.
However, inconsolable crying for over three hours (often called colic) or other symptoms like fever, poor feeding, or weight loss might indicate a health issue, and a pediatrician should evaluate these cases.
When to Relax vs. When to Worry:
| Normal Fussiness | When to worry |
| Babies often cry the most, around 6-8 weeks, sometimes for 2-3 hours daily. | Fever over 100.4°F. |
| Babies are usually the fussiest between 6 PM and midnight, often called the “witching hour.” | Continuous crying without relief. |
| Babies often feed more frequently in clusters. | Baby refuses to feed. |
| Babies stay alert and responsive, showing no signs of illness. | Baby shows unusual tiredness or sleeps too much. |
| Feeding, holding, or gentle, soothing calms babies down. | Vomiting or diarrhea |
Why Is My Baby Fussy at Night?
Babies often get fussy at night because of the day’s stimulation and their active digestion in the evening. They may cry more as they try to relax and find it hard to calm down independently. A quiet bedtime routine with low noise and dim lighting helps them settle.
Contemporary Data: The CDC statistics show that about 1 in 5 babies experience colic, which typically resolves by 3-4 months. Apps like Baby Tracker or Huckleberry can help parents identify patterns, making it easier to manage fussy periods.
Takeaway: Many babies are fussy at night, but it’s a good idea to talk to a doctor if the crying seems too much or hard to handle.
Babies are often fussy at night from hunger, gas, or exhaustion. If your baby cries a lot, won’t calm down, or has other symptoms, contact a doctor to check for different issues.
Comfort Measures for Fussy Babies
There are many ways to comfort a fussy baby, and each can help with different causes. Some standard methods include:
Swaddling: Wrapping your baby snugly helps them feel secure and calmer.
Rocking and Swaying: Gently rocking your baby, swaying, or using a baby swing can help calm them by copying the movements they felt in the womb.
White Noise or Soft Music: White noise or soft music can calm overstimulated babies by blocking out background sounds.
Feeding and Pacifying: If a baby is fussy because they’re hungry or thirsty, feeding them can help. For babies who aren’t hungry, a pacifier can help comfort them by letting them suck on it.
Warm Bath: A warm bath relaxes and soothes babies, especially when they seem uncomfortable or colicky.
Tummy Time: Putting the baby on their tummy while you watch them can help with gas and make them feel less fussy.
Data and Statistics on Fussy Babies
Fussiness Frequency: Around 20-25% of babies experience colic, which means they cry for more than three hours a day, at least three days each week, for a period of three weeks or more.
Duration: Fussiness usually reaches its highest point between 6 to 8 weeks and then starts improving. Most babies show clear improvement when they are 3 to 4 months old.
Evening Crying: Babies often cry the most in the late afternoon and evening. Some may cry for up to 2 to 3 hours every day.
Takeaway: Fussy times are expected but don’t last forever. Parents can try different ways to comfort their baby and use apps like Glow Baby or Baby Tracker to see patterns and understand what helps the most.
Each baby is different, so what works for one might not work for another. Trust yourself, and ask a professional for help if needed.
What to Know About Infant Fussiness and Colic
Babies often get fussy, and it can be different for each one. But if a baby is picky and doesn’t stop, it might be colic. Here are the main differences and what you should know.
Infant Fussiness vs. Colic
Infant Fussiness: Typical fussiness is short and often happens when a baby is hungry, tired, or overstimulated. You can usually calm them by rocking or swaddling within minutes to an hour.
Colic: Colic is intense, with crying that lasts over three hours a day, at least three days a week, for three weeks or more. Colicky babies are usually inconsolable, often crying most in the evening.
Symptoms of Colic
– Prolonged crying spells, often in the evening
– Signs of discomfort, like clenching fists, arching the back or pulling knees to the chest
– Crying that occurs without an apparent cause and is difficult to soothe
– Tension in the abdomen or visible discomfort from gas
Management of Colic
Feed Regularly: Feed your baby simultaneously each day. This can help with colic.
Burp Often: Burp your baby during and after feeding. This can help release air and reduce gas.
Try Probiotics: Probiotics may help your baby’s digestion and reduce colic. Ask a doctor first.
Use Comfort Techniques: Swaddle, carry or rock your baby. Soft sounds can also help calm them.
Change Diet if Breastfeeding: Some foods, like dairy or caffeine, may cause colic. You should talk to a doctor Before changing your diet.
Get Support: Colic is hard for parents too. Support groups and doctors can help.
These steps may help reduce colic and make your baby more comfortable.
Story of Colic patient
Last week, I was working in the hospital nursery when a mother brought in her baby with colic. She told me that she had bought formula milk from the store and fed it to her baby without asking the doctor first. The next day, her baby was crying a lot, wouldn’t eat, and couldn’t sleep. Worried, she took her baby to the doctor. The doctor admitted the baby to the hospital and found out that colic was causing the problems.
Data and Statistics on Infant Fussiness and Colic
How Common It Is: Colic affects about 10-30% of babies. It usually starts when they are 2-3 weeks old and often goes away by the time they are 3-4 months old.
How Long It Lasts: Colic is usually the worst around 6 weeks old. Babies with colic often cry a lot, especially in the late afternoon or evening.
When It Ends: Colic can be challenging for families, but most babies outgrow it by 3-4 months old.
Navigating Baby Fussiness: Gas, Crying, and Evening Care
Babies often feel uncomfortable from gas as their stomachs grow. Here are ways to help:
Burp Often: Burp during and after feeding to release the trapped air. Burp every 2-3 ounces with a bottle or when switching sides in breastfeeding.
Massage the Tummy: Gently rub the tummy in a circle to move gas. Move the legs in a “bicycle” motion to help the stomach.
Tummy Time: Short tummy time presses on the belly and releases gas.
Hold Upright After Feeding: Keep the baby sitting up after eating so gravity stops gas from building up.
Try Gripe Water or Gas Drops: Some parents find these help with gas. Ask a doctor before using them.
I’m Worried About Spoiling My Baby
Many parents worry that carrying their baby might spoil them, but you can’t spoil a newborn. Babies cry to show needs like hunger or discomfort. Quick responses help babies feel safe and build trust. Comforting your baby supports healthy growth.
FAQs
What Is Peak Fussiness?
Peak fussiness happens around 6-8 weeks when babies cry more and seem irritable. This phase is normal and usually ends in 3-4 months.
How Long Does It Last?
Peak fussiness starts around 2-3 weeks and lasts until about 3-4 months. Many babies have a “witching hour” in the evening when they are extra fussy.
Why Do Babies Get Fussy?
Babies feel fussy as they adjust to new surroundings, deal with overstimulation, and develop their nervous systems. Digestive issues or growth spurts can also add to fussiness.
When Are Babies Most Fussy?
Most babies are fussiest in the late afternoon or evening. This “witching hour” is when they release energy from the day.
How Much Crying Is Normal?
During peak fussiness, babies may cry 2-3 hours a day, often at the same time each day. This crying lessens by 3-4 months.
Is Peak Fussiness the Same as Colic?
Colic and peak fussiness are different. Colic means intense, frequent crying that lasts more than three hours a day, three days a week, for over three weeks. Peak fussiness is usually milder and is a normal stage that improves over time.
