Understanding the Period of PURPLE Crying
Almost every new parent runs into it: the "witching hour" — a stretch of intense, inconsolable crying, usually in the late afternoon or evening, when nothing you do seems to help. It's frightening, exhausting, and it can leave you convinced you're doing something wrong. You're not. There's a more accurate and far more reassuring way to understand this than the old label "colic": the Period of PURPLE Crying.
The term was developed by the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome, drawing on the work of Dr. Ronald Barr, specifically to help parents understand that this crying is a normal, temporary phase of infant development — not a sign of illness, and not something you caused.
What Does PURPLE Stand For?
PURPLE is an acronym describing the features of this normal phase. The word "period" is deliberate — it's a stage with a beginning and an end.
- P — Peak of crying. Crying tends to increase week by week, peaks around 2 months of age, and then gradually decreases.
- U — Unexpected. It can start and stop for no clear reason.
- R — Resists soothing. Your baby may keep crying no matter what you try.
- P — Pain-like face. Your baby can look like they're in pain even when they're not.
- L — Long lasting. Crying can go on for hours at a stretch.
- E — Evening. It clusters in the late afternoon and evening.
This period typically starts around 2 weeks of age and eases by 3–5 months. It happens to all babies to some degree — some barely, some intensely — which is exactly why it helps to know it's developmental rather than a defect in your baby or your parenting.
Why the "PURPLE" Framing Matters
While the symptoms overlap heavily with what people call colic, the PURPLE language is preferred for two important reasons:
- It emphasizes that this is a temporary period every healthy baby passes through, with a predictable arc.
- It removes the implication — baked into the word "colic" — that something is medically wrong, which fuels parental guilt and anxiety. (Still wondering whether it could be something more, like reflux? See our guide to colic vs. reflux.)
There's a deeper reason this education exists, too. The peak of crying at around 2 months lines up with the peak age for abusive head trauma (shaken baby syndrome). Understanding in advance that this frustrating, resist-all-soothing crying is normal and will pass is one of the most protective things a caregiver can know — because it makes the crucial "put the baby down and step away" strategy feel permissible instead of like failure.
Coping Strategies
Knowing it's a normal phase is genuinely the first tool. When the crying starts:
- Run the basics checklist. Are they hungry? Wet? Too hot or cold? Uncomfortable clothing? Rule out the fixable first.
- Try the 5 S's. Swaddling, Side/stomach position (only while you hold them), Shushing, Swinging, and Sucking can trigger a baby's calming reflex. Motion — a walk, a stroller, a car ride — often helps too.
- Rule out overtiredness. Evening crying overlaps heavily with an overtired baby, and that's a fixable cause with a completely different solution. Double-check wake windows with our free nap calculator, and learn the subtle signs of an overtired baby.
- Take a break — safely. If you feel yourself getting overwhelmed, frustrated, or on edge, it is okay to put your baby down in a safe place (like their crib), close the door, and walk away for a few minutes to breathe and reset. A crying baby in a safe crib is completely fine for a short while. Never, ever shake a baby — it can cause catastrophic, permanent harm.
- Get support. Ask your partner, a friend, or a family member to take over for a stretch. Even a 20-minute break can change everything. Trading off is a strategy, not a weakness.
You are not alone, and it will pass. Logging fussy periods with a free MyBabyTracker account can help you spot patterns — like a consistent evening peak — so the crying feels less random and more like a wave you can see coming. MyBabyTracker's built-in cry analyzer can also offer a best-guess interpretation of what your baby's cry might mean, to help point you toward what to try next.
Caring for Yourself Through It
Hours of inconsolable crying is one of the hardest things about early parenthood, and it takes a real toll — especially layered on top of exhaustion. Sleep when you can, tag in help, and be gentle with yourself. Our guide to surviving sleep deprivation has practical strategies for protecting your own reserves so you can keep showing up calm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PURPLE crying the same as colic? They describe the same intense-crying phase, but PURPLE crying frames it as a normal developmental period rather than a medical problem. Many experts prefer it for exactly that reason.
Am I causing this by doing something wrong? No. PURPLE crying happens to healthy, well-cared-for babies regardless of what you do. Its whole purpose as a concept is to relieve you of that guilt.
Does soothing that doesn't work mean I'm failing? Not at all — "resists soothing" is literally part of the definition. Sometimes nothing works, and holding your baby (or safely setting them down) while they cry is still good parenting.
When will it end? For most babies, the worst is over by 3–4 months, with a clear peak around 2 months. It fades gradually rather than stopping all at once.
When to Talk to Your Pediatrician
Trust your instincts — PURPLE crying is normal, but not every cry is. Call your pediatrician if the crying comes with fever, vomiting, poor feeding, fewer wet diapers, blood in the stool, a weak or unusual-sounding cry, or if your baby seems limp or unusually sleepy — or simply if something feels wrong to you. And if the crying is pushing you past your limit, tell your doctor that too; support is available for you as well, and reaching for it protects both of you.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.