Purple crying is a period in a baby’s life when they cry more than usual. It lasts from when they’re 2 weeks of age and ends when they are 3 months old. What you need to understand is that babies always cry because that is the only way they can communicate.
That is the only way they can tell you that something is off. But you, as a parent will know how to see the difference between crying when something is not okay or crying just because they’re sleepy.
Also, many people think that purple crying has to do something with the pain-like face and color babies have while they’re crying.
But that is not true, of course. Let me explain the true meaning of this word.
Letters in the word purple stand for:
- Peak of crying – a baby will cry more each week. Crying peaks when they are 2 months old, but they will stop when they are 3 months old.
- Unexpected – babies start crying for no reason, and they stop crying just like that.
- Resists soothing – there is nothing you can actually do to calm down your baby while they start crying.
- Pain-like face – a baby can look like they are in pain, but everything is absolutely fine with them.
- Long-lasting – your baby can cry a few hours in a row during the day.
- Evening – your baby will cry more in the late afternoon and evening hours than in the morning.
If your baby is showing inconsolable crying and you can’t calm them down, you can always ask a pediatrician’s help.
He will check your baby and see if everything is okay with them.
I know that babies cry when they want to tell us something, but if your baby is healthy and happy, there is no need for you to worry that something is wrong.
For example, if something is not right, your baby would have symptoms that would tell you that you need to take her to the doctor.
Babies who have shaken baby syndrome have abusive head trauma that needs to be treated at the hospital.
This happens when someone takes a baby or a toddler and shakes them aggressively.
It is considered child abuse, and the person who did this should be reported to the police.
A baby’s brain can be severely damaged because they are so fragile in the first months after birth.
A normal infant will never cry like the one who has a severe injury.
That’s why it’s always better to check with your pediatrician if everything is fine.
If you weren’t with your baby the whole time, maybe an older sibling wanted to play with them, and they shook them, causing the shaken baby syndrome.
Also, you should be careful about who you hire to take care of your baby when you’re not there.
Some nannies are aggressive even if they have a good CV. Never trust anyone, and choose what is best for your baby.
If you know that everything is fine with your little one and that they’re just going through a phase in their lives, you can calm down.
This period of purple crying doesn’t mean you’re dealing with a whiny baby, and it’s something that will pass.
But there are some things that you can do to calm them down, though.
1. Skin to skin contact
A great thing you can do when your little one cries is to take off their clothes and put them onto your chest.
Let their skin touch yours, and let them hear the beat of your heart. That is the same rhythm that they used to hear for 9 months, and it can definitely calm them down a bit.
Make sure you and your baby are alone in the room.
You can dim the lights a bit, and carry your baby across the room. You can whisper a lullaby to them as well because they like to listen to their mom’s voice.
That way, they will feel they are in a safe place. Maybe your baby won’t stop crying but skin contact will calm them down a bit.
Also, you’ll know that you as a mom did your best to help your little one. And that is what is most important, right?
2. Use white noise
White noise is a device that many parents use to calm down their babies. It helps when you have 2 or more children in the same place.
If your older ones play and they make some noise and your baby wants to sleep, just put this device into the baby’s room.
It will reduce all the noise from the outside and help them sleep better.
Your infant will be able to get some rest and have a normal sleeping schedule no matter how many people are around them.
White noise will easily mask all the distracting sounds and help your little one get the rest they need so much.
3. A warm bath might help
A warm bath can help babies calm down when they are going through a phase of purple crying.
Babies really like to be undressed, so once you start taking off clothes from your baby they might stop crying.
If you prepare a warm bath for them and apply some essential oil for babies, it can help them calm down and sleep better.
Babies love to take baths, and there is no doubt that your baby won’t have a nice time while being in the water.
When you finish, you should dry your baby’s skin, and let them spend some time without any clothes.
Of course, the room has to be warm because you don’t want your baby to get sick.
Leave them be undressed a bit because every baby enjoys it, and when you see that they have calmed down, put some clothes on them.
This is a good tactic when your baby is going through a fussy period and when you don’t know how to help them.
4. Massage your baby
Massage can be very helpful for your baby if they are crying. Babies like it when their clothes are off, so you can undress your little one and give them a massage.
That will definitely help them feel better, and they even might stop crying.
To pamper them completely, you can use some essential oil for babies, like lavender oil for example.
I’m sure your baby will enjoy every second of their royal massage and that they will stop crying. All babies like this, so you won’t make a mistake if you try it.
5. Take a walk
Another great tip for instances of your infant crying is taking a walk with your little one.
That is a good way for both of you to spend some time alone and to leave your place. You can go to a park or just take a stroll around your house.
Your baby won’t mind staying close to the house. They just want to go out and explore the world more.
Maybe they don’t walk and talk, but they can see and feel. And that is what catches their attention and helps them calm down.
Also, you will feel better because you’re not in the house the whole time.
Maybe you can see some of the parents in your neighborhood who also have kids and ask them about some good tips on how to calm down your baby.
You never know where you can find the answers to your questions.
6. Period of purple crying will pass
Parents who are experiencing purple crying with their babies probably think that it will never pass. But, this—just like every other phase—is something that will finish after some time.
You just need to have a lot of faith and patience that things will work in the best way for both of you.
I know it’s hard and exhausting, especially if you don’t have the help of a family member.
But when you think that you can’t go on any longer, that is the moment when you need to bite your lip and overcome it.
Remember, you’re a mom. If you could bring that perfect new life into this world, you can do whatever the hell is needed.
Come on, mom, I know you can do it.
7. Swaddle your baby
Babies like be undressed, but they also like when you swaddle them because it soothes them, and they feel like they’re in the belly again.
That makes them feel safe, and they calm down instantly.
New parents might not know some of these tips, but they can always ask someone or google it.
A crying baby can have colic, maybe they’re sleepy or hungry or they might have a fever. But if they are only experiencing purple crying, just know it will pass.
A period of purple crying is maybe one of the worst periods for babies and parents, but that is all a part of the development process.
That just means your baby is healthy and that they are going through their leaps in growing up.
RELATED:
- Baby Growth Spurts: What They Are And Tips To Deal With Them
- The 10 Baby Leaps: The Wonder Weeks Of Child Development
8. Sing a song to your baby
When you have an infant crying, you don’t know how to help them in most cases. You’d do anything to calm them down and to help them feel better, right?
Well, most moms told me that their babies would stop crying if they started singing a song. It can be a song that you often sing to your little one or a new one.
Try everything and see what your baby likes the most. Babies like to hear their mom’s voice, so you don’t have anything to lose if you try this method.
A normal infant who doesn’t have any health problems will probably stop crying after you start singing.
They will feel that mommy is there and that they are in a safe place. Baby needs to feel that you’re always there, since that is essential for normal child development.
That’s why you should spend as much time as you can with your baby because other than food and good care, every baby needs a parent’s love, especially that of a mother.
9. Have a normal sleeping schedule
A normal sleeping schedule is extremely important for every baby. If your baby doesn’t get enough sleep, they will be fussy and cranky.
Don’t overload your little one with too many people around them or too many activities.
Remember that you can’t do all the work you have been doing before now that you have your baby.
It’s okay if you go out with your little one for an hour, but you can’t spend the whole day outside and let your baby sleep in the car or in a noisy place.
Babies need rest because they are exploring the world, and sometimes they can have too much information in a day.
So, make sure that your baby has a normal sleeping schedule in a place where they feel cozy and warm.
That will help them sleep better and they will maybe avoid purple crying in the late afternoon.
With that being said, you’ll overcome the whole phase much more easily.
10. Have a normal feeding schedule
Many new parents think that when a baby cries you should give them something to eat. But that is not true in all cases.
If your baby is nervous and is crying, you need to calm them down first, then feed them, and after that put them in the bassinet or bed.
Also, don’t forget to pick your baby up, so they can burp to avoid cramps.
When your baby has a normal feeding and sleeping schedule, they will be more satisfied.
I’m not saying that you will solve all your problems, but it will help you know what is not the problem.
Children have to go through different development phases, and that is normal. Some of those phases will be hard to overcome, and some will be easy.
It varies from child to child.
You just need to be patient enough and be there for your baby as much as you can.
On the other hand, you also need some rest so don’t hesitate to ask for the help of a family member.
Remember, you can’t be good for your baby if you’re not good for yourself.
In the end, I just want to say to all new parents: going through all these phases is a hard thing to do but you’re strong enough to overcome it.
You already made the most beautiful thing in the world – you brought a new life to this world.
If you could do that, you can do everything else.
Don’t give up mom, because I know that you can do it! I’m proud of you!
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