PURPLE Crying: What It Is, Why It Happens, and How to Get Through It

If your baby cries the moment you put them down, cries even after you feed them, cries in a way that makes you wonder, “Am I missing something?”, take a breath. You’re not failing. You’re not alone. And you’re not doing anything wrong.

Most new parents expect some crying. What often comes as a shock is how intense, long, and unpredictable newborn crying can be, especially in the early weeks. It tends to peak right when sleep deprivation hits hardest, emotions are raw, and you’re still learning your baby’s cues. That combination can feel overwhelming.

Here’s the reassuring thing: many parents don’t hear this early enough. There is a normal, well-studied developmental phase that explains this kind of crying. It’s called the Period of PURPLE Crying. Understanding it won’t magically stop the tears, but it will help you worry less, respond more calmly, and protect both you and your baby during some very hard moments.

Let’s walk through it together.

What is PURPLE crying, exactly?

PURPLE Crying is a term developed by the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome to describe a predictable phase of increased crying in early infancy. It’s not a diagnosis, and it doesn’t mean something is wrong with your baby.

PURPLE is an acronym that explains what this crying often looks like:

• P – Peak of crying: Crying gradually increases after birth, peaks around 6–8 weeks, and then slowly improves
• U – Unexpected: Crying can start and stop without a clear reason
• R – Resists soothing: Even your go-to calming techniques may not work
• P – Pain-like face: Babies may look uncomfortable even when they aren’t in pain
• L – Long-lasting: Crying can last for long stretches
• E – Evening: Crying is often worse later in the day

This phase usually begins around 2–3 weeks, peaks near 2 months, and eases by 3–4 months of age. Knowing there’s a timeline can be incredibly grounding when you’re in the thick of it. This peak often overlaps with immature sleep cycles.

Newborns wake frequently, struggle to self-soothe, and can become overtired, fueling even more crying. Supportive sleep rhythms and consistent routines can help over time, but they don’t eliminate PURPLE Crying entirely. And that’s okay.

Is PURPLE Crying the Same as Colic?

They’re related, but not identical.

Colic is typically defined as crying for more than 3 hours a day, at least 3 days a week, for 3 weeks or more, in an otherwise healthy baby. PURPLE Crying is broader. It explains why this kind of crying happens and reassures parents that it’s a normal developmental phase, not a parenting mistake.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), prolonged crying in early infancy is common and does not mean a baby is spoiled, damaged, or emotionally harmed by loving care. In other words, when crying feels hard on you, it’s often because things are hard for your baby as well.

Why does this happen?

This is often the hardest part for parents to accept: there isn’t always a fix.

Researchers believe intense early crying may be linked to:

• An immature nervous system
• Rapid brain development
• Difficulty regulating stimulation, emotions, and sleep

Studies show that this crying happens even when babies are healthy, well-fed, and well cared for. So if you’ve fed, burped, changed, rocked, bounced, swaddled, walked, shushed, and the crying continues, you didn’t miss something obvious. You’re not doing it wrong. Your baby is still learning how to exist in a brand-new world.

Why learning about PURPLE crying protects babies

This part matters. Prolonged, intense crying is the number one trigger for abusive head trauma (also known as shaken baby syndrome). Education around PURPLE Crying exists because research published in Comprehensive Child and Adolescent Nursing shows that when parents understand what’s normal and know that crying will eventually end, they’re better able to pause, step away, and ask for help during moments of overwhelm.

Programs that teach PURPLE Crying have been shown to reduce the risk of shaking by helping caregivers anticipate how emotionally intense this phase can feel. It is good to remind ourselves that feeling frustrated or overwhelmed does not make someone a bad parent. Knowing when to stop, breathe, and reset is a protective skill.

What can you do when nothing seems to work?

Sometimes soothing works beautifully. Sometimes, it doesn’t. Both are normal.

According to the AAP, calming strategies that may help include:

• Holding your baby skin-to-skin
• Gentle rocking or swaying
• White noise or a steady, rhythmic sound
• A stroller walk or car ride
• Offering a pacifier

And here’s a gentle truth: during the PURPLE Crying phase, babies may continue crying even when you’re doing everything “right.” Being held, rocked, and comforted still matters, even if it doesn’t stop the tears. You’re not failing. You’re showing up.

It’s okay to put your baby down and take a breath

This deserves to be said clearly: If you feel overwhelmed, angry, or on edge, it is okay to place your baby in a safe crib and step away for a few minutes.

The National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome explicitly encourages caregivers to take breaks when emotions escalate. Walking away to calm yourself is far safer than trying to push through frustration. Call someone. Step outside. Take ten slow breaths. You matter, too.

When Should You Call the Pediatrician?

According to the National Library of Medicine (NIH), while PURPLE Crying is normal, parents should always trust their instincts and reach out when something feels off. Reach out if:

• Your baby’s cry sounds weak, shrill, or very different
• Feeding drops off, or weight gain is a concern
• There’s fever, vomiting, blood in the stool, or unusual sleepiness
• You’re worried, even if you can’t quite explain why

Reassurance is part of pediatric care. And remember the thumb rule, that you never need to “wait it out” alone.

Conclusion

If you’re deep in this phase right now, remember:

• PURPLE Crying has a beginning, a peak, and an end
• It does not harm your baby
• It does not reflect your parenting
• It is one of the hardest parts of early parenthood

You are learning your baby. Your baby is learning the world. And even on the loudest evenings, when nothing works, you are still doing a good job.

You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to keep going. And we’re here with you.

You may also like

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• I need help with my toddler sleep regression. What can I do?

Sources:

1. Guidebook for understanding infant crying & shaken baby prevention. Period of PURPLE Crying Guidebook. 2018. “Period of PURPLE Crying Program Guidebook” 
2. Overview of infantile colic — clinical features, causes & management. StatPearls / NCBI Bookshelf. 2025. “Infantile Colic” 
3. Practical tips for soothing a fussy or colicky baby. HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics). Last updated 2025. “How to Calm a Fussy Baby: Tips for Parents & Caregivers” 
4. Medical overview of excessive crying in infants (colic description & causes). MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. 2025. “Excessive crying in infants” 
5. Clinical guidance on colic diagnosis and features. Pediatric Care Online (American Academy of Pediatrics). 2024. “Colic | Pediatric Care Quick Reference” 
6. Epidemiology and clinical summary of infantile colic. StatPearls Publishing / PubMed (StatPearls). 2025. “Infantile Colic” 
7. Mechanisms & management of infant colic. PMC (Free PMC Article). 2018. “Infantile Colic: New Insights into an Old Problem” 
8. Evaluation of a shaken baby syndrome/abusive head trauma prevention program. PubMed. 2021. “Period of Purple Crying Program for the Prevention of Abusive Head Trauma/Shaken Baby Syndrome” 
9. Education improves maternal knowledge about infant crying and shaken baby risks. PubMed. 2025. “Shaken Baby Syndrome Education for Mothers Awaiting Appointments in Rural OB/GYN Office”