Fussy newborns at night: understanding nighttime fussiness in newborns

Why nighttime fussiness in newborns is normal

Many newborns show a pattern of increased crying and restlessness in the late afternoon and evening, often called the “witching hour”. This pattern typically peaks around 6 to 8 weeks and starts to improve by 3 to 4 months.¹

Common signs of a fussy infant at night include²:

• Intense, constant crying
• Frequent wake-ups
• Restlessness
• Difficulty soothing

Remember, dealing with a newborn that fusses all night is usually temporary. With time, most newborns settle into more predictable sleep and feeding routines, and nighttime fussiness naturally diminishes.

Common reasons newborns get fussy at night

Here are some of the most common explanations for nighttime fussiness in newborns¹³:

• Overtiredness: You may have a cranky newborn at night if they are overly tired. Babies at this age are still learning to self-soothe themselves to sleep and become easily frustrated when they struggle to wind down. Overtired babies often appear wired, tense or unsettled rather than sleepy.
• Overstimulation: The world surrounding your baby is so big, unfamiliar, and often overwhelming. Throughout the day, your little one is constantly absorbing new sights, sounds, and experiences, which demands a lot of energy and attention. By evening, this constant stimulation can leave your baby feeling overstimulated and exhausted.
• Cluster feeding and hunger regulation: Evening cluster feeding is biologically normal. Babies feed repeatedly to increase milk intake and stimulate supply. During growth spurts, a newborn may be unsettled at night and want more frequent feeds.
• Colic: Colic is a frequent issue among newborns who cry for long periods several times per week. These episodes of crying often occur at roughly the same time every day, which may help explain why your newborn is very fussy at night.

During these bouts of crying, colicky babies tend to swallow a significant amount of air, resulting in increased gassiness and further contributing to nighttime fussiness.

What bottle flow rate means and why it matters

Bottle flow rate refers to how quickly milk flows through the bottle teat when a baby sucks.⁴ Choosing the right flow rate is essential to ensure your newborn can feed comfortably and efficiently, as each baby’s needs differ. A mismatched flow could contribute to a newborn being very fussy at night. Here are some common signs that your baby may need a different flow rate:

Flow may be too fast if your baby⁴⁵:

• Coughs or splutters during feeds
• Dribbles milk out of their mouth
• Spits up after feeds
• Becomes fussy
• Rejects the bottle

Flow may be too slow if your baby⁴⁵:

• Sucks in air between swallows
• Falls asleep before being full, leading to more wake-ups
• Becomes fussy or disinterested
• Chews on the teat
• Seems hungry soon after

A mismatched flow could result in discomfort, fatigue, hunger, or fussiness, leading to a cranky newborn at night.

For babies unsettled by traditional bottle flows, a Natural Response teat can help ease feeding-related fussiness by supporting your baby’s natural feeding rhythm. The Philips Avent Natural Response Nighttime baby bottle is designed to release milk only when your baby actively sucks, closely mimicking breastfeeding. It’s also designed to keep your baby from swallowing air during feeds, helping reduce colic, discomfort, and nighttime fussiness in newborns.

You can learn all about baby bottles and teat sizes in our dedicated guide.

Strategies to soothe fussy newborns at night

If your newborn is unsettled at night, here are some helpful tips and tricks to deal with your baby’s witching hour¹:

• Reduce evening stimulation: Help your baby wind down before bedtime by:
  • Dimming lights after sunset to create a calm atmosphere and signal that it’s time for rest
  • Lowering noise and activity to help your baby relax
  • Avoiding overstimulating play before bedtime, so your baby isn’t too alert when it’s time to sleep

• Use calming sensory input: When putting your baby to sleep, you can soothe them to sleep with:
  • Skin-to-skin contact: Holding your baby close against your skin can provide warmth and reassurance, helping calm and regulate their emotions.
  • Gentle rocking or swaying: Soft, rhythmic movements in your arms, a rocking chair, or a baby swing can mimic the soothing sensations babies felt in the womb.
  • White noise: A consistent, gentle background sound can block out startling noises and help your baby feel secure.
  • Music: Playing soft music or singing a lullaby can offer comfort and signal that bedtime is approaching.
  • Swaddling: Wrapping your baby snugly in a light blanket can provide a sense of security and help prevent sudden movements that might disturb their sleep.
  • Massage: A gentle massage using slow strokes on your baby’s back, arms, or legs can help them relax and wind down.
  • Dummy: Offering a dummy can satisfy your baby's instinct to suck, which is naturally calming and can help them settle more easily.

• Optimise feeding comfort:
  • Burp during and after feeds to help release trapped air and minimise gassiness
  • Keep your baby upright after feeding, which can aid digestion and reduce the likelihood of reflux or discomfort
  • Check bottle flow rate and adjust it if needed, ensuring it matches your baby’s feeding rhythm; too fast or slow a flow can cause fussiness
  • Try paced bottle feeding. This allows your baby to control the milk flow and take breaks, which can better mimic breastfeeding and reduce swallowing air

When does nighttime fussiness improve?

Nighttime fussiness in newborns can be exhausting, but fortunately, it is an early and temporary stage in a newborn's life. It typically¹:

• Peaks around 6 to 8 weeks
• Improves by 10 to 12 weeks
• Significantly reduces by 3 to 4 months, although it can last up to 6 months in some cases

Most newborns that are extremely fussy at night in early weeks become calmer with age. However, remember that every baby is different and newborn nighttime fussiness may last longer for some babies. If you have any concerns, it may be ideal to speak to your midwife or GP.

FAQs: common questions about fussy newborns at night

Is it normal for a newborn to be extremely fussy at night?

Yes. Increased evening crying is a common developmental phase in the first 6 to 8 weeks of a baby’s life.¹ It typically reflects overtiredness, cluster feeding and sensory overload rather than a medical problem.

Why do I have a fussy newborn after feeding?

Fussiness after feeding can be triggered by issues such as gassiness, reflux or overtiredness.⁴ If your baby seems uncomfortable, it might be helpful to review their milk flow rate and change their bottle teats, as a flow that’s too fast or too slow can contribute to discomfort.

Why is my newborn fussy at night but not during the day?

Throughout the day, babies are exposed to lots of new stimuli and can gradually become fatigued. By evening, their nervous system is more easily overwhelmed, leading to fussiness, even if they appeared calm during the day.¹

When should I worry about nighttime fussiness?

Consult a professional if crying is persistent, worsening, associated with feeding problems, poor growth or illness signs.

If your newborn is fussy at night, it does not mean you’re doing anything wrong. Nighttime fussiness in newborns is a normal phase of a baby’s early development. With patience, maturation and responsive soothing, most babies learn to settle easily.