Help with Witching hour.....usually around 5pm ish! Am I on my own?

[AnnieDelores]

My 12 week old DS has developed a new habit of grizzling and whining in a "shouty" voice from about 4 or 5pm until is bath at 6.30pm. Its usually worse if he hasn't had a good sleep at lunchtime, but happens every evening. He was colicy from weeks 2 to 6 but seemed to grow out of that until now. I try everything to distract him.....toys, mobiles, jigging, change of scene, even a nap....but he will only nap on my lap and yells if I put him n his cot (although he sleeps beautifully n his cot at night). The ONLY thing that seems to work is putting him in the baby bjorn and taking him out for a walk. I don't mind doing this apart from the fact I'm most tired at this time of day and its often raining and dark! Could he be teething? Or is this just normal for a 12 week old? He is a spirited baby...very nosy, and needs lots of stimulation and reassurance.

Would be good to hear some suggestions or at least similar experiences!

I completely understand.
My DD turned into a monster everyday at precisely 5:00. You could set your watch by her!!!
She too started this as a small baby.
I'm afraid to say it went on throughout her babyhood, though the form of the witching hour changed as she grew.
She is now 5 and she grew out of it quite some time ago. (I actually can't remember exactly when.)
I'm very sorry. I never really found a good way to cope with it except distraction.
When she was a baby I often made supper with her in a sling on my back.
When she got bigger I tried to make sure her supper was on the table promptly.
At other times I could distract her with TV etc while I cooked.
It's hard, but it won't last forever.

Thanks RuthChan. I now know I'm not doing something wrong or on my own! I think I might just schedule exercise time for 5pm, get a good umbrella, put on the wellies and make the most of the great outdoors! At least I might lose the belly that won't seem to budge! Sodding fireworks should make bedtime tonight interesting!

I had the same with DD1. I just used to put her in one of those battery operated swings as she loved it.

BUt then a friend recommended to me to try stripping her off, putting the fire on (as was chilly, actually must have been this time of year my DD1 was 12 weeks old too - she's August born) and laying her on a towel with something waterproof underneath and just let her have a nice kick and a play with her toys. She loved it and it was much nicer for me that taking her out for a walk.

I think it might be a Gina Ford thing actually doing that, but didnt; know it at the time.

Will give that a go letitwork but I'm not optimistic as he seems to hate being on his back when he's grouchy! But I will try ANYTHING!

Yes put him on his front. Fine to be on his tummy when awake - he's supposed to do tummy time anyway.

In fact, he's a boy, most DEFINITELY put him on his front, you don't want him to projectile wee all over your lounge