Before reading this page, you could read more a general page about pēpi and crying.
What You Can Do When Your Baby Cries
PURPLE crying
There is something called 'the period of PURPLE crying' which refers to a time period when some pēpi begin crying more and may be hard to settle. This usually starts at about 2 weeks of age and peaks at 8 weeks. It usually ends by 12 weeks of age.
The letters in PURPLE stand for the common parts of non-stop crying in pēpi.
Peak pattern (crying peaks around 2 months of age, then decreases)
Unpredictable (crying can come and go for no reason)
Resistant to soothing (baby may keep crying no matter what you do to try to soothe them)
Pain-like look on baby's face
Long bouts of crying (crying can go on for hours)
Evening crying (baby cries more in the afternoon and evening)
Parents may feel guilty and angry if they can't soothe their baby. The period of PURPLE crying tells us that if a baby is not ill and parents have tried to soothe baby, it is alright if they cannot stop baby from crying. Some pēpi are going to cry no matter what. The good news is that the period of PURPLE crying will end!
PlunketLine is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, on 0800 933 922 for advice and support for you, your baby and your whānau. Calls are free from cell phones. You do not need to be registered with Plunket to use this service.
Acknowledgements
The image of a mother holding her crying baby has been purchased from http://www.dreamstime.com.
