Understanding PURPLE Crying: A Complete Guide for New Parents

If you’ve ever held your little one through hours of tears and wondered, “Is this normal? “Am I doing something wrong?” You are not alone. What you’re witnessing may be a very real and common developmental phase known as 'PURPLE Crying'. 

Here’s a complete guide to understanding this phase, why it happens, how it differs from the witching hour, and how you can cope with it safely and confidently. 

What is PURPLE Crying? 

The first few months with a newborn are filled with wonder, soft breaths, tiny fingers, and cooing smiles. But alongside these beautiful moments comes a reality many first-time parents are unprepared for: the crying. Not just the usual fussing, but long, intense, unpredictable crying spells that seem to have no identifiable cause and no quick fix.

Purple crying refers to a completely normal and temporary developmental stage in early infancy when babies cry far more than parents expect. Even perfectly healthy, well-fed babies can go through this phase. It typically starts around 2 weeks of age and reaches its more intense point around 6-8 weeks and gradually settles by 3 to 4 months of age. 

The concept of PURPLE crying was introduced by Dr Ronald G. Barr, a globally respected pediatrician and researcher. He studied the infant crying patterns and created the term to help parents understand that prolonged, intense crying is a normal part of early development.

Although the crying can feel overwhelming, PURPLE Crying is not a sign of something being wrong. It is not an illness, not discomfort, and definitely not poor parenting. It actually reflects your baby’s rapidly maturing nervous system, adjusting to life outside the womb.

 

*Cooing smiles: This is a developmental stage in babies, typically around 3-4 months of age, characterised by a combination of cooing and smiling, which represents social engagement and emotional connection. 

What does PURPLE crying mean? 

The word PURPLE is an acronym designed to help parents understand the characteristics of this crying phase. Each letter represents a predictable aspect of what you are experiencing: 

Techniques to Soothe a PURPLE Crying Baby

You cannot stop the PURPLE Crying stage, but you can create moments of calm, comfort, and connection along the way. Every baby responds differently, so think of these strategies as gentle invitations rather than guaranteed solutions. Here are some tried-and-true techniques that can help ease your baby through this phase: 

1. Swaddling

A snug swaddle recreates the warm, secure feeling of the womb. It prevents sudden jerky movements from the startle reflex and helps your baby feel held and contained. For many infants, swaddling immediately reduces fussiness, especially during the evening hours. 

2. Rhythmic Rocking or Movement 

Babies are deeply soothed by repetitive, gentle movements. Slow rocking in your arms, swaying side to side, pacing around the room, or even bouncing lightly on an exercise ball can help reduce overstimulation. 

These motions mimic the movements they experienced in the womb, offering a familiar rhythm that calms their nervous system. 

3. White Noise or Soothing Sound

Soft sounds like a fan, ocean waves, rainfall, or even your own steady “shhh” can recreate the comforting noise environment your baby heard before birth. White noise helps block out sudden, jarring sounds and provides a constant, predictable backdrop that many newborns find incredibly soothing. 

4. Skin-to-Skin Contact

Placing your baby directly on your chest, bare skin to skin, helps regulate their heartbeat, breathing, and body temperature. It also releases oxytocin* for both you and your baby, which can ease your tension and help your baby feel safe. For many parents, skin-to-skin becomes a grounding ritual during overwhelming crying spells.

*Oxytocin: A hormone and a natural chemical messenger in the brain and body, often called the love hormone or cuddle chemical, as it plays a key role in bonding, trust, and affection. 

5. Dim Lights & a Calm Environment

Newborns can become overstimulated very quickly. Bright lights, loud noises, and too much activity can intensify their fussiness. By reducing sensory input, lowering the lights, turning off screens, and creating a calm, quiet space, you help your baby’s nervous system settle more easily. 

6. Feeding or Pacifying 

Sometimes, crying is simply hunger, so offering a feed is always worth trying. If your baby is full but still seeking comfort, a pacifier can help satisfy their natural need to suck. This rhythmic sucking can be incredibly calming, helping them self-regulate during a crying episode. 

7. Babywearing 

Using a soft wrap or carrier keeps your baby close to your heartbeat while allowing you to move freely. Many babies find comfort in the warmth, gentle pressure, and motion of being worn. For parents, babywearing also frees your hands, which can make long crying phases feel more manageable. 

8. Fresh Air or a Change of Scenery 

Even a brief step outdoors onto the balcony, into the garden, or for a short walk can change the atmosphere instantly. The shift in temperature, light, and air flow often distracts and soothes babies while giving you a moment of clarity and calm. 

9. A Warm Bath 

A warm bath can help relax your baby’s tiny muscles and provide a sensory reset. The water’s gentle warmth often soothes tension and creates a peaceful environment that encourages relaxation and sleep. 

10.  A Safe Break for Parents 

The most important technique of all is perhaps knowing when to pause. If you’ve tried everything and your baby is still crying, it is absolutely okay to place them safely in their cradle and step away for a few minutes. Take deep breaths, drink water, call someone, or simply reset your mind. 

This is not failure, but actually responsible, loving caregiving. A calm parent is the best comfort a crying baby can have.  

PURPLE Crying vs The Witching Hour 

Think of PURPLE Crying as the entire mountain range, a broad developmental period filled with ups and downs. The witching hour is like the steepest slope you climb each day. Both are temporary and normal, and both will eventually pass as your baby’s nervous system matures. 

Shaken Baby Syndrome: Why This Conversation Matters? 

When babies enter the PURPLE Crying phase, their crying can feel relentless, overwhelming, and deeply stressful. This prolonged, inconsolable crying is the number one trigger for Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS). It is a severe and preventable form of abusive head trauma. Even a few seconds of shaking can cause catastrophic injury, as babies have delicate neck muscles and a rapidly developing brain. 

Shaking a baby can result in: 

• Brain swelling 

• Internal bleeding

• Seizures 

• Permanent neurological damage

• Death in extreme cases 

Talking about SBS is not about blaming parents but rather about protecting babies and supporting caregivers. When parents understand that the PURPLE Crying phase is temporary, normal, and not a reflection of their ability to soothe, they are less likely to respond out of panic, frustration, or exhaustion.  If you ever feel like you’re reaching your emotional limit, it’s okay. Place your baby safely in their crib, step away, breathe, and return when you feel calmer. 

You are not meant to do this alone. Parenting a newborn, especially during this phase, is easier when you lean on someone. Instead of pushing through sheer exhaustion, allow yourself to ask for help. 

You might: 

• Ask a trusted friend to watch the baby for even 20-30 minutes. 

• Let a family member hold, rock, or walk with the baby while you rest. 

• Share about how you’re feeling emotionally and mentally. 

• Join a parenting circle or support group, online or in person.

• Divide responsibilities with your partner to avoid burnout. 

Having someone listen, lend a hand, or simply sit with you can turn an overwhelming evening into something manageable. 

Conclusion

The PURPLE Crying phase can test even the calmest and most prepared parents, but it is important to remember one thing above all else. This phase is temporary. Your baby is not crying because of something you did or didn’t do. They’re growing, adjusting, and learning to navigate the world with a still-developing nervous system. 

These long crying spells do not define your baby, your bond, or your ability as a parent. With patience, safe soothing techniques, and the support of the people around you, you can navigate this phase with more confidence and compassion for yourself. And as the weeks pass, you will begin to see more calm moments, more smiles, and more connection.