Swaddle
The Period of PURPLE Crying is a name created by the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome to help parents understand a normal, but very hard, phase: the weeks in early infancy when many healthy babies cry more than at any other time. Knowing that it is normal, and that it ends, helps a lot.
What PURPLE stands for
| Letter | Means | What it looks like |
|---|---|---|
| P | Peak of crying | Crying increases from about 2 weeks, peaks around 2 months, then eases. |
| U | Unexpected | Crying comes and goes for no clear reason. |
| R | Resists soothing | Nothing you try seems to work every time. |
| P | Pain-like face | Your baby may look like they are in pain, even when they are not. |
| L | Long lasting | Crying can go on for hours a day. |
| E | Evening | Many babies cry more in the late afternoon and evening. |
The word “period” matters: it has a beginning and an end, usually by 3 to 5 months.
Why it happens
Researchers have found the same crying curve in babies around the world and across feeding methods. It seems to be a normal stage of development, not a sign that something is wrong, or that you are doing something wrong. It is still important to have your baby checked if you are worried, because sometimes crying has a medical cause.
How to cope
- Comfort, carry, walk and talk. Holding, gentle motion and soothing sounds help many babies, even if not every time. See the witching hour for more ideas.
- It is not your fault if your baby keeps crying after you have tried everything.
- If you feel frustrated, walk away. Put your baby down safely on their back in their crib, close the door, and take a few minutes to calm down. Check on them every 5 to 10 minutes.
- Never shake a baby. Shaking can cause serious brain injury or death. Tell everyone who cares for your baby about this.
- Ask for help. Share the load with a partner, family or friends.
When crying is not normal
Call your pediatrician if your baby has a fever, a weak or unusually high-pitched cry, is vomiting, has blood in their poop, is feeding poorly, is unusually sleepy or floppy, or if the crying is very different from their usual cry. Trust your instincts.