Why Should Parents Know About Purple Crying
Why Should Parents Know About Purple Crying
All new parents want to provide the best care for their babies. However, a baby’s frequent crying can cause frustration and stress for parents who don’t understand the normal pattern of crying. Purple crying is a term used by experts to describe excess crying in otherwise healthy infants in the first few months of life. Knowing what to expect during this phase can help parents cope better and avoid blame or doubts about their parenting. This article provides an in-depth look at purple crying – what it is, why it happens, and how parents can manage it while keeping baby safe.
What Is Purple Crying?
The term “purple crying” refers to intense crying bouts that begin suddenly in the early months of a baby’s life, peak around 2 months, and subside around 3-4 months. Health experts use “purple” to describe this phase because of the various characteristics involved:
- Peak pattern – crying peaks around 2 months, then improves
- Unpredictable – crying bouts can start and stop suddenly, for no clear reason
- Resistant to soothing – baby may keep crying despite all soothing efforts
- Pain-like face – a distressed facial expression, even without actual pain
- Long crying bouts – crying can last 30 minutes to hours at a time
- Evening crying – crying tends to be worse in late afternoon/evening
This pattern is now considered a normal phase of development rather than a sign of trauma or parenting problems. However, it can be extremely stressful and concerning for new parents. Knowing it is temporary can prevent feelings of helplessness, resentment, or shame.
Why Do Babies Go Through This Phase?
There are several theories about the biological factors behind this surge of persistent, inconsolable crying in early infancy:
- The immature nervous system – An infant’s developing nervous system can get overwhelmed, almost like a sensory processing disorder. Crying may be their reaction.
- GI discomfort – Digestive issues like gas or reflux may contribute. The gut brain connection is very strong.
- Overstimulation – Babies emerge from the perfect environment of the womb into a world that assaults their senses. It’s an adjustment.
- Inability to self-soothe – Newborns don’t yet have control of emotions or self-calming skills, so they rely on external soothing.
- Communication frustrations – Crying is their only way to communicate needs before speech develops. It’s frustrating when needs remain unmet.
In most babies, this is a temporary developmental stage. Their nervous systems mature, digestion improves, and they gain skills to self-soothe, communicate, and cope with overstimulation. The inconsolable crying lessens as they develop. Understanding this helps parents stay patient and responsive.
Signs of Purple Crying
How can you identify purple crying versus other possible causes of distress? Here are the hallmark signs:
It Starts Suddenly
Purple crying episodes can begin instantly, sometimes within seconds or minutes after the baby seemed peaceful or happy. There is no consistent trigger. Babies may even seem inconsolable almost as soon as they wake up.
Persistent High-Pitched Cry
The cry of purple crying is usually high-pitched and intense. It lacks the rhythm, ups and downs, whimpers, and pauses of hunger/discomfort cries. The intensity remains steady.
Resists Soothing
During purple crying, a baby often remains inconsolable despite all soothing attempts like nursing, rocking, carrying, swaddling, pacifiers, white noise, etc. Nothing seems to console them fully. They may seem frustrated.
Can Last a Long Time
Crying bouts may continue for long periods, often 30 minutes up to a few hours. The baby may occasionally pause but then resume again. New parents can feel extremely drained and discouraged.
Pain-Free Face
Importantly, look for a pain-free face without grimaces or furrowed eyebrows. Purple crying is communication, not pain. Check for signs of illness if you notice a fever, vomiting, rash, joint swelling, or other red flags.
How Long Will it Last?
For most babies, purple crying peaks around 6-8 weeks then improves. By 16 weeks, as their nervous system develops and their digestion and communication skills improve, purple crying typically ends. Premature babies may experience it longer – their age from the due date matters more than birth date. Understanding the temporary nature prevents losing hope. If crying remains at high levels beyond 4 months or physical symptoms develop, consult the pediatrician to check for reflux, allergies, or other medical issues.
Dangers of Shaken Baby Syndrome
It’s understandable to feel overwhelmed, fatigued, annoyed, or even resentful from the intensity of purple crying. However, reacting in anger is extremely dangerous. Shaking a baby can cause severe, permanent brain damage or death. When highly frustrated, it’s essential to hand over baby to another caregiver. If alone, set baby safely in the crib, leave the room, and focus on calming yourself before resuming care. Never, ever shake or harm a baby.
Soothing Techniques for Purple Crying
While purple crying may resist full soothing, certain tools can provide a little relief or distraction during peak intensity:
- Motion – Rocking, carrying in a sling/carrier, going for walks or drives
- Sound – white noise, rain/nature sounds, soft music
- Swaddling – Snugly wrapped, maymimic womb security
- Pacifiers – Sucking need gets met
- Warm baths or skin-to-skin holding – Calming sensations
It also helps to pay attention and meet needs right before intensity peaks. Hunger, a wet diaper, overstimulation, or tiredness can stack up to worsen crying. Meeting needs proactively minimizes “total load.”
When all else fails, earplugs allow you to stay calmer as baby cries it out. It isn’t ideal and should be temporary, but protects your mental health. Sleep when baby sleeps. Trade off caregiving shifts if possible. Remind yourself this will pass.
When to Seek Help for Crying Issues
See your pediatrician promptly if:
- Fever over 100.4F
- Difficulty breathing
- Unusual sleepiness/lethargy
- Persistent vomiting
- Blood in stool
- Little interest in feeding
- Signs of dehydration – dry lips/mouth, sunken soft spot, lack of tears, less than 6 wet diapers daily
- No improvement by 16 weeks
- Crying exceeds 5 hours a day
- You have difficulty coping due to fatigue or frustration
Benefits of Understanding Purple Crying
Preparing parents that inconsolable crying is developmentally normal in early infancy offers many benefits:
Prevents self-blame – Helps parents avoid feelings of failure, anger at baby, or doubts about skills. You aren’t doing anything wrong.
Empowers problem-solving – Instead of reacting with helplessness, parents can proactively try different soothing techniques while tracking baby’s needs.
Promotes self-care – Parents understand the need to trade off, take breaks, use earplugs, and prioritize their own rest. You cannot pour from an empty cup.
Increases awareness – Knowing purple crying is temporary motivates parents to get the support and coping tools needed to get through this phase.
Reduces abuse – Familiarity with crying patterns and risks helps parents remain gentle. All babies deserve to feel safe, secure, and nurtured.
Create a Family Plan and Support System
Make a proactive family plan:
- Discuss normal crying patterns with relatives/babysitters so all caregivers know what to expect
- Schedule breaks to walk away when needed, tag team shifts
- Ask friends/neighbors to assist with meals or errands
- Use noise-blocking headphones, get outdoors for fresh air/movement
- Model self-care instead of frustration for older kids
- Stock up on baby care supplies when available so you don’t run out
- Identify and use professional supports like pediatricians, lactation consultants, social workers, counselors, or support groups before hitting crisis mode
- Keep emergency numbers handy – crisis hotline, emergency services
Have Hope – This Will Pass!
As difficult as it is in the moment, purple crying does not last forever. The intensity peaks then fades. In just a few short months, you’ll notice longer periods of calmness and greater ability to console your little one. Each child develops on their own timeline, but the pattern of improvement provides hope. Ensure your baby’s basic needs are met, employ every soothing strategy possible, lower stimulation when reasonable, and take care of yourself. With preparation, support, and self-care, you can handle this! The infant stage passes quickly, and the rewards of parenting outweigh the temporary challenges.