The Thoughtful Parent

A blog that makes child development approachable.

Understanding PURPLE Crying in Babies: What It Means & How to Cope

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I just heard about an interesting new cause/educational campaign for new parents that I thought was worth sharing. It’s called CLICK for Babies and it’s a campaign to raise awareness about the risks of Shaken Baby Syndrome, particularly in the often-tumultuous first 3-4 months of a baby’s life. The CLICK part of the campaign signifies the “clicking” of knitting needles as volunteers strive to knit hats for new babies across the country (and internationally). Although I’m not a knitter, it seems like a great way to get folks involved in the campaign. For you non-knitters like me, it’s also easy to donate online. One key aspect of this campaign is helping parents understand what the organizers call the period of PURPLE crying in newborns. No, purple does not stand for the color babies turn when crying but is an acronym to describe the periods of unexplained crying that young babies (and their parents) often experience. Many people may wonder: what does PURPLE crying stand for?

Quick Answer

The Period of PURPLE Crying is an acronym describing a normal phase of increased crying in healthy infants, typically occurring in the first 3-4 months of life, as part of an educational campaign to raise awareness about Shaken Baby Syndrome. PURPLE stands for Peak of crying, Unexpected, Resists soothing, Pain-like face, Long-lasting, and Evening, with the peak crying often occurring around 2 months of age and declining between 3-5 months.

purple crying

 
 

What Does PURPLE Crying Stand For?

P–Peak of crying. The worst crying tends of occur around 2 months of age and decline from 3-5 months
 
U–Unexpected. The crying often come on and stops for no apparent reason.
 
R–Resists soothing. The baby is often difficult to soothe.
 
P–Pain-like face. The baby may appear to be in pain even if they are not.
 
L–Long-lasting. The crying may go on for several hours a day.
 
E–Evening. The baby often cries more in the late afternoon or evening.
 
The goal is to help parents understand that this frequent crying of most often normal and does not necessarily mean anything is wrong with the baby. The hope is that educating parents on this issue may help prevent cases of Shaken Baby Syndrome, which is more common among babies who are especially fussy.
 
I am so glad that more information about this PURPLE crying phase is being distributed to the parenting community. Even with a background in child development, I was somewhat unprepared for the amount of crying my sons went through as young infants. It can be very stressful and emotionally draining, but I think it is a little easier if you know that it is just a phase and you will get beyond it. The great news is that more and more research is finding that these fussy babies are often very well adjusted later in life if they receive sensitive and attentive parenting. These babies seem to be especially sensitive to their environment, but that also means they are very receptive to good parenting and tend to thrive if properly supported by their parents.
 

Related reading: “Difficult” Temperament ≠ A Child Destined for Problems: Sensitive Parenting is Key

How Do Temperamental Factors Explain PURPLE Crying in Infants?

The period of PURPLE crying in infants can sometimes be explained (at least a bit) by temperamental factors, which refer to a child's innate behavioral style and emotional responses. These factors can influence how a baby experiences and expresses distress, potentially contributing to the intensity or duration of crying episodes. Curious about your child’s temperament and how it influences their development? Take our quick Child Temperament Quiz to gain insight into your child’s temperament.

Take our quick Child Temperament Quiz to gain insight into your child’s temperament.

child temperamentTake the quiz!

 

Read more about helping babies who cry a lot and learn more about temperament’s influence:

What a Baby’s Temperament Tells Us About Their Long-Term Development

The Best Baby Development Books to Help You Navigate Those Early Months

Seeing the Unique Gift of Your Child’s Temperament

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Frequently Asked Questions

1 What does PURPLE crying stand for?

The acronym PURPLE describes a normal period of increased crying in infants. It stands for Peak of crying, Unexpected, Resists soothing, Pain-like face, Long-lasting, and Evening. This phase typically occurs in the first few months of a baby's life.

2 How can understanding the PURPLE crying phase help new parents?

Understanding the PURPLE crying phase helps parents recognize that frequent crying is often normal and doesn't always indicate a problem. This knowledge can reduce parental stress and is part of a campaign to prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome, which is more common with fussy babies.

3 When does the period of PURPLE crying usually happen?

The period of PURPLE crying typically peaks around 2 months of age and then declines between 3-5 months. During this phase, crying can be long-lasting, sometimes for several hours a day, and often occurs more in the late afternoon or evening.