The Period of PURPLE Crying: Understanding and Coping
The short answer
The Period of PURPLE Crying is a research-based framework developed by Dr. Ronald Barr at the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome to help parents understand the normal pattern of increased crying in the first months of life. PURPLE is an acronym: Peak of crying (peaks around 2 months), Unexpected (comes and goes without reason), Resists soothing (may not stop no matter what you do), Pain-like face (looks like pain even when not in pain), Long-lasting (can cry 5+ hours per day), and Evening (clustering in late afternoon/evening). Studies show that all healthy babies go through this phase, which typically begins around 2 weeks, peaks at 6-8 weeks, and resolves by 3-5 months. During the peak, a normal baby may cry up to 2-3 hours per day, with some crying up to 5 hours. Understanding that this is normal development, not something you are causing or failing to fix, is protective against parental frustration and the risk of shaken baby syndrome.
Parents everywhere have the same worry. You are doing the right thing by looking into it.
By Age
What to expect by age
0-2 weeks
Crying begins to increase from birth. Newborns cry an average of 1-2 hours per day in the first two weeks. This is the beginning of the PURPLE crying curve. During this period, most crying is related to identifiable needs (hunger, wet diaper, need for closeness). Crying that is soothed by meeting a need is reassuring. The unpredictable, unsoothable crying typically begins around 2-3 weeks.
2-8 weeks
This is the peak of PURPLE crying. Average crying reaches 2-3 hours per day, and some healthy babies cry significantly more. The hallmark is that the crying may be completely unsoothable. You have fed, changed, rocked, and done everything right, and the baby is still crying. This is not a reflection of your parenting. Coping strategies: take turns with a partner, put the baby down safely in the crib and step away for 5-10 minutes if you feel overwhelmed, use noise-canceling headphones while holding baby, and remind yourself this is temporary.
2-3 months
Crying begins to decrease from the 2-month peak. Many parents notice a gradual reduction in evening fussiness. Some babies transition out of this phase quickly while others taper over several weeks. If your baby's crying has not decreased at all by 3 months, or has increased, discuss it with your pediatrician, as prolonged inconsolable crying beyond this period may warrant evaluation for conditions like reflux, milk protein allergy, or, rarely, other medical causes.
3-5 months
By 3-5 months, most babies have moved through the PURPLE crying period. Total daily crying typically decreases to under 1 hour. Your baby is more socially responsive, better at self-soothing, and their nervous system has matured. If you are still experiencing intense crying periods, bring this up at your next well-child visit. For parents who went through a severe PURPLE crying period, it is normal to feel residual anxiety or even PTSD-like symptoms. Reaching out to a therapist or support group is appropriate.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Your baby crying for 2-3 hours per day during the first 2-3 months, especially in the evening
- Nothing you do seems to stop the crying, which is the "R" in PURPLE (resists soothing)
- Crying that starts and stops for no apparent reason
- Your baby looking like they are in pain but your pediatrician has found no medical cause
- Feeling frustrated, helpless, or even angry during prolonged crying (these are normal human responses)
- Crying that continues beyond 3-4 months without improvement
- Your baby cries more during or after feedings specifically (may indicate reflux or allergy)
- You are feeling unable to cope with the crying and worry about your emotional state
- Your baby has other symptoms alongside the crying: fever, vomiting, bloody stools, or poor weight gain
- You feel you might harm your baby or shake them: put the baby down safely in the crib and call the Childhelp National Hotline (1-800-422-4453) or 988 immediately
- Your baby's cry sounds markedly different than usual (high-pitched, weak, or absent), which may indicate illness
- Your baby is inconsolable AND has a fever over 100.4°F (38°C) under 3 months, a bulging fontanelle, or is not feeding
Sources
Related Resources
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician.
Worrying about your baby means you care. That is a good thing.
Related Behavior Concerns
Baby Colic and Excessive Crying
Colic is defined by the Wessel criteria or "rule of 3s" - crying for more than 3 hours per day, more than 3 days per week, for more than 3 weeks in an otherwise healthy, well-fed infant. It affects about 1 in 5 babies, typically begins around 2-3 weeks of age, peaks at 6-8 weeks, and almost always resolves by 3-4 months. It is not caused by anything you are doing wrong.
Baby Crying Excessively for No Apparent Reason
All babies cry, and some babies cry a lot more than others. The PURPLE crying period (Peak of Unreasonable Crying) describes normal crying that peaks around 2 months, can last for hours, occurs in the late afternoon/evening, and resists soothing. Excessive crying (more than 3 hours per day, more than 3 days per week, for more than 3 weeks) was historically called "colic." While most excessive crying is a normal developmental phase that resolves by 3-4 months, it is important to rule out medical causes and to protect yourself from caregiver burnout.
Evening Fussiness (The Witching Hour)
Many babies have a predictable period of increased fussiness in the late afternoon or evening, often called the "witching hour." This is very common, typically peaks around 6 weeks, and usually resolves by 3-4 months. It is not caused by anything you are doing wrong and does not mean something is wrong with your baby.
Bonding and Attachment Timeline for Adopted Babies
Bonding with an adopted baby is a real and achievable process, but it may follow a different timeline than biological bonding. Many adoptive parents feel a strong connection quickly, while for others it develops gradually over weeks or months. Consistent, responsive caregiving is the single most important factor in building secure attachment, regardless of how your family was formed.
Aggressive Play vs Normal Play
Rough-and-tumble play — wrestling, chasing, play-fighting, and superhero battles — is a normal and important part of child development, particularly for toddlers and preschoolers. It helps children develop physical coordination, social skills, self-regulation, and an understanding of boundaries. The key distinction between normal rough play and concerning aggression is whether both children are having fun, there is turn-taking in roles, and no one is intentionally trying to hurt the other.
My Toddler Is Aggressive Toward Pets
Toddlers being rough with pets is extremely common and almost never reflects true aggression or cruelty. Young children lack the motor control to be consistently gentle and do not yet understand that animals feel pain the way they do. With patient, consistent teaching about gentle touch and close supervision, most toddlers learn to interact safely with pets by age 3-4.