Period of PURPLE Crying - Seattle Children's (2024)

Child Development and Parenting

Seattle Children’s Protection, Advocacy and Outreach Programleads the Abusive Head Trauma Prevention Coalition of Washington. The mission of this coalition is to prevent abusive head trauma by educating parents and caregivers in Washington state about normal infant crying and ways to cope with stress via an education program called thePeriod of PURPLE Crying (PURPLE).

PURPLE Education Keeps Infants Safe from Abuse

Watch this video to learn more about the statewide effort to share the Period of PURPLE Crying program – a video-based parent education program that helps new parents learn how to safely care for their baby during periods of extended crying and other highly stressful times.

About Period of PURPLE Crying

Period of PURPLE Crying is a research-based education program developed by theNational Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome. Program materials include a booklet with app or DVD (available in mulitple languages), a 10-minute video on crying and a 17-minute video on soothing.

The letters in PURPLE stand for…

  • Peak of crying. Your baby may cry more each week, the most in month 2, then less in months 3–5.
  • Unexpected. Crying can come and go and you don't know why.
  • Resists soothing. Your baby may not stop crying no matter what you try.
  • Pain-like face. A crying baby may look like they are in pain, even when they are not.
  • Long-lasting. Crying can last as much as 5 hours a day, or more.
  • Evening. Your baby may cry more in the late afternoon and evening.

The word “period” means that the crying has a beginning and an end.

If you are worried something is wrong with your baby, check with your doctor.

Information for Parents

  • Did you know your baby would cry like this?

    Healthy babies cry a lot in their first five months of life. Crying usually begins at 2 weeks of age and increases in the first few months. Most babies reach their peak of crying at 2 months. Some babies cry for 1–2 hours a day and others can cry up to 6 hours a day.

  • How can I soothe my baby?

    • Hold your baby close to you with skin-to-skin contact.
    • Walk and sing to your baby.
    • Give your baby a warm bath.
    • Take your baby outside for a walk.
    • Check to see if your baby is hungry or tired, or needs changing.
  • Does soothing always work?

    No. Soothing won’t always stop your baby’s crying. If you are feeling frustrated:

    • Put your baby down in a safe place and walk away. Take a few minutes to calm down and then go back and check on your baby.
    • Reach out to a trusted family member or friend for support.
    • No matter how frustrated you get, never shake your baby.
  • Is it normal to feel frustrated?

    Feeling angry or upset is OK. It’s what you do with your anger that is important. Take a break from the crying and take care of yourself too.

    Crying is frustrating to you because:

    • Your baby cries more than you expected.
    • This is harder than you thought.
    • You feel like you are a bad parent or that you are doing something wrong.
    • You are tired and feel guilty that you can’t take care of your baby.
    • You feel like a failure.

    No matter how frustrated you get, never shake your baby.

  • Why is shaking a baby so dangerous?

    1. Adults are much bigger and stronger than babies.
    2. Babies have weak neck muscles and their brains are still developing.
    3. If shaken, a baby’s brain bounces around inside the skull causing severe bleeding and swelling.

    Shaking can cause blindness, brain damage and death

    Signs a baby may have been shaken:

    • Trouble sucking or swallowing
    • Decreased appetite
    • Trouble sleeping
    • Increased fussing or irritability
    • Difficult to wake
    • Vomiting
  • Where can I find help?

    • Check with your doctor if you are worried there is something wrong that is causing your baby to cry.
    • Talk with your nurse about thePeriod of PURPLE Cryingprogram – a free booklet and DVD or app that includes a 10-minute film on crying and a 17-minute video on soothing to help you understand why your baby cries and how to comfort them.
    • Go toPURPLECrying.infofor more information about infant crying.

Information for Hospitals, Providers and Other Organizations

  • PURPLE in Washington state

    Approximately 80% of all families of newborns receive thePeriod of PURPLE Crying(PURPLE) materials in the hospital after the birth of their baby. PURPLE materials are also distributed by Washington state’s Children’s Administration to families they serve.

    A wide variety of other organizations and providers distribute PURPLE materials to families and caregivers around the state, such as child care facilities, fire stations, schools, parenting classes and babysitting classes.

  • Are you interested in providing PURPLE materials to your patients and families?

    We are always looking for partners to help spread the important messages of PURPLE – not only to families and caregivers but also to the general public – to increase awareness about normal infant crying, promote a positive and supportive community for families and, ultimately, keep all children safe from abuse.

    Call us at 206-987-3400 orsend us an email.

Period of PURPLE Crying - Seattle Children's (2024)

FAQs

Period of PURPLE Crying - Seattle Children's? ›

Period of PURPLE Crying is a research-based education

education
Education is the transmission of knowledge, skills, and character traits and manifests in various forms. Formal education occurs within a structured institutional framework, such as public schools, following a curriculum.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Education
program developed by the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome. Program materials include a booklet with app or DVD (available in mulitple languages), a 10-minute video on crying and a 17-minute video on soothing.

What is the time period for purple crying? ›

The Period of PURPLE Crying begins at about 2 weeks of age, peaks in the second month, and becomes less in the third to fifth month. There are other common characteristics of this period, which are better described by the acronym PURPLE.

When is the period of purple crying BC? ›

Developmentally, it is normal for babies to cry more and for longer periods of time starting at about 2 weeks of age and continuing until about 3 to 4 months. This period of crying is referred to as the Period of PURPLE Crying®. Some babies are more resistant to soothing and can cry for hours but are still healthy.

What is purple crying at 11 weeks? ›

The Period of PURPLE crying typically peaks when babies are about 2 months old and tapers off between 3 months and 4 months old. Talk to your pediatrician if your baby still seems to be going through PURPLE crying beyond the age of 4 or 5 months old or if you just want reassurance or advice about the phase.

What is purple crying at 14 weeks? ›

Long stretches of crying can start when your little one is around two weeks old and continue until they reach three to four months. Inconsolable crying that can last up to five hours a day is a perfectly normal stage of development called the period of PURPLE crying.

How can a parent tell if the crying falls into the purple? ›

Purple crying describes a developmental phase in which your baby cries uncontrollably for long periods of time. No matter what you do, nothing seems to soothe them. Persistent, high-pitched screaming can take its toll on parents. And the inability to console them can feel especially frustrating.

How to soothe purple crying? ›

Information for Parents
  1. Hold your baby close to you with skin-to-skin contact.
  2. Walk and sing to your baby.
  3. Give your baby a warm bath.
  4. Take your baby outside for a walk.
  5. Check to see if your baby is hungry or tired, or needs changing.

What is the purple crying growth spurt? ›

What is the Period of PURPLE crying? This type of crying usually begins at about 2 weeks of age, peaks around 2 months of age, and then decreases over the next several months. There is no predictable start or stop to the crying episodes. Baby is difficult to soothe or console.

What is the difference between colic and purple crying? ›

Yes, PURPLE crying and colic are the same. Many people think of "colic" as a diagnosis of a condition – in other words, something being wrong. The term "PURPLE crying" attempts to convey that this crying is a normal, expected stage of development for many babies.

What is the connection between purple crying and shaken baby syndrome? ›

The Period of PURPLE Crying program is the name given to the Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) prevention program developed by National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome. The program educates parents and caretakers on normal infant crying, the most common trigger for shaking an infant.

Is witching hour the same as purple crying? ›

The witching hour is also often called the period of purple crying.

Why is my baby so fussy all of a sudden 11 weeks? ›

The fussy phase of leap 3

In the beginning of leap 3, around 11 weeks, your baby will show the typical 3 C's (Crying, Clinginess and Crankiness). In this fussy phase of the leap, your baby may be shyer, clingier, lose appetite and may suck their thumb more often than before.

Is there a mental leap at 11 weeks? ›

Leap 3 – from 11 weeks: The World of Smooth Transitions

This means that fixed “patterns” are followed by “smooth transitions”. You will notice that your baby's movement are less wooden, less jerky. This change resonates in the way your baby plays with their voice.

When is the peak of purple crying? ›

Babies reach the peak of purple crying at around two months old. After this, the bouts of crying should start to become fewer and farther between. At around four months, your baby should be out of the period of PURPLE crying and will then cry to communicate their needs to you.

Why does my 14 week old cry so much? ›

Babies cry for many different reasons. Most often they cry because they are hungry, tired or need comfort, particularly in the early weeks. It's normal for newborns to cry a lot, most often in the evening when you're probably tired and hungry too.

Is 15 weeks too early for cry it out? ›

Newborns and young babies less than 12 pounds aren't ready for sleep training and haven't yet learned to self-soothe. That's why letting a baby cry it out at 1 month doesn't work, whereas they might be ready by 3 months, or 12 weeks. Though, experts recommend starting sleep training at 4 months, or 16 weeks.

What is the time period of the color purple? ›

Plot summary and characters. Spanning from 1909 to 1947, The Color Purple documents the traumas and gradual triumph of Celie, introduced at the novel's start as an African American teenager raised in rural isolation in Georgia, as she comes to resist the paralyzing self-concept forced on her by others.

What is the 2 week storm baby? ›

You may notice between 6-8 weeks your baby is very fussy. This is known as the 2-week storm. An early bedtime will help to avoid your baby from getting overtired, making fussiness even worse. Singletons must be 4 months old from their due date.

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