Purple Crying Period: What It Is and How to Cope

If you have a newborn who cries inconsolably for hours on end — particularly in the evenings — and nothing you do seems to help, you may be experiencing what researchers call the Purple Crying Period. Understanding the Purple Crying Period and how to cope is genuinely life-changing for exhausted, frightened parents who fear something is terribly wrong with their baby. The Period of PURPLE Crying is actually a normal, universal phase of newborn development described by paediatric researcher Dr. Ronald Barr, and while it is extraordinarily challenging, it is not a sign of illness or bad parenting. In this article, we explain the PURPLE acronym, the evidence behind the concept, practical coping strategies, and — critically — the warning signs that distinguish normal developmental crying from a medical emergency.

What Does PURPLE Stand For?

PURPLE is an acronym developed by Dr. Ronald Barr at the University of British Columbia to describe the specific characteristics of this normal but distressing phase of newborn crying. Understanding each element helps normalise what can feel terrifying.

• P — Peak of crying: The crying increases through the second week of life, peaks at around four to six weeks, and then gradually decreases. Most babies have reduced significantly by three to five months. This is predictable and time-limited.
• U — Unexpected: The crying bouts start and stop without any obvious reason. You might feed your baby, wind them, change them, and check for any source of discomfort — and they will still cry. This unpredictability is profoundly unsettling but is part of the developmental pattern.
• R — Resists soothing: Despite your best efforts — rocking, feeding, walking, shushing, singing — the baby may continue to cry. This is not a reflection of your parenting ability or your baby’s attachment to you. Some bouts simply have to run their course.
• P — Pain-like face: During these bouts, babies often look as though they are in significant pain — scrunched features, red face, rigid posture. This appearance is deeply alarming to parents but does not necessarily mean the baby is in pain. It reflects the intensity of the crying state, not necessarily its cause.
• L — Long-lasting: Bouts can last for 30 minutes to several hours. This is within the range of normal, though it feels anything but. Research by Dr. Barr found that total daily crying in a healthy baby can reach five or more hours during the peak period.
• E — Evening: The crying clusters heavily in the late afternoon and evening, roughly between 5pm and midnight. This is consistent across cultures, countries, and infant care practices, suggesting a neurological rather than environmental cause.

The PURPLE Crying framework has been formally adopted in NHS Scotland’s parenting education programme and is used in maternity units across the UK and internationally to educate new parents before discharge.

Is This the Same as Colic?

The term “colic” has traditionally been used for excessive infant crying, defined by the Wessel criteria as crying for more than three hours per day, more than three days per week, for more than three weeks. Dr. Barr’s research argues that what we call “colic” is actually the upper end of the normal distribution of infant crying during this developmental phase — not a separate condition requiring treatment.

This reframing matters enormously, because it shifts the focus from finding something wrong and fixing it to understanding a developmental phase and surviving it. Many expensive remedies marketed for “colic” — including gripe water, herbal preparations, and certain probiotics — lack robust evidence of benefit in otherwise healthy babies. The NHS does not routinely recommend these products.

Coping Strategies for Parents

When you are in the thick of a two-hour crying bout at 10pm on a Tuesday, abstract reassurance is not enough. Here are practical strategies that research and clinical experience support:

• Take turns: If you have a co-parent or support person, take 20-30 minute turns holding and soothing the baby. This prevents any one person from reaching a breaking point.
• Put the baby down safely and take a break: If you have exhausted your soothing strategies and feel yourself becoming overwhelmed, it is safe to put your baby down in their cot — flat on their back — and leave the room for five to ten minutes to regulate yourself. A crying baby in a safe place is safer than a distressed caregiver holding them.
• White noise and motion: The rhythmic sounds and movements that mimic the womb environment — white noise apps, a car ride, a walk in a carrier — are among the most effective soothing strategies. Many parents find baby wearing during the PURPLE period significantly reduces distress for both baby and parent.
• Get outside: A walk in fresh air resets both the baby’s environment and the caregiver’s nervous system. Many parents report that even the act of getting out of the house helps.
• Talk to someone: Contact your health visitor, GP, or a parent support line if you are struggling. In the UK, the NSPCC helpline (0808 800 5000) and Cry-Sis (08451 228 669) provide specialist support for parents struggling with a crying baby.

NEVER SHAKE A BABY

This section must be stated clearly and unambiguously: shaking a baby — even briefly, even gently by adult standards — can cause Shaken Baby Syndrome (abusive head trauma), resulting in catastrophic and permanent brain injury, blindness, or death. The force required is far less than most people imagine.

The PURPLE Crying programme was in part developed specifically to prevent shaking incidents, because research found that abusive head trauma rates peak at the same age as the PURPLE crying period. If you feel the urge to shake your baby, put them down in a safe place and remove yourself immediately. Call a support line, a friend, or emergency services if needed.

The NHS and NSPCC’s Don’t Shake campaign emphasises that even the most loving, capable parent can be driven to the edge by relentless crying. Reaching out for help is not weakness — it is the safest thing you can do.

Warning Signs That Mean You Should Seek Medical Help

The following signs suggest the crying may have a medical cause and warrant prompt contact with your GP, NHS 111, or A&E:

• Fever above 38°C in a baby under three months
• Crying accompanied by vomiting, especially projectile vomiting
• A high-pitched, unusual cry that sounds different from their normal cry
• A bulging fontanelle (the soft spot on the top of the head)
• Visible distress that is clearly different from their normal crying pattern
• A rash, particularly a non-blanching rash (doesn’t fade when pressed)
• Crying after a fall or impact

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the Purple Crying Period last?

The most intense phase typically peaks at four to six weeks and gradually reduces by three to five months. Most parents find it substantially improved by three months of age.

Does the PURPLE Crying Period affect all babies?

Dr. Barr’s research, conducted across multiple countries and cultures, found this pattern to be universal — present in all healthy human infants to varying degrees. Some babies simply cry more than others, but the developmental pattern is consistent.

What is the best way to soothe a baby during the PURPLE period?

No single strategy works every time. Evidence supports motion (rocking, car rides, baby wearing), white noise, sucking (breast, bottle, or dummy), skin-to-skin contact, and outdoor walks. Rotating through these strategies — and accepting that some bouts won’t be soothed — is the most realistic approach.

Should I take my baby to the doctor during the PURPLE period?

If the crying follows the PURPLE pattern — clustered in the evening, without other symptoms, with a well baby who feeds, sleeps, and has wet nappies normally — routine doctor visits are not always necessary. However, if you have any concern about your baby’s health, or if the crying pattern changes suddenly, always contact your GP or NHS 111.

Conclusion

The Period of PURPLE Crying is one of the most challenging experiences of early parenthood, but it is time-limited and developmentally normal. Armed with the PURPLE acronym, coping strategies, and a clear understanding of when to seek help, you are better equipped to navigate it. Your next step: download the free PURPLE Crying resources at purplecrying.info, share the information with your partner and anyone else helping with nighttime care, and save the Cry-Sis helpline number (08451 228 669) in your phone before you need it.