Birthday Gift
Rewards Points
Member Coupon
Some babies cry more than you expected and it can go on even after they’ve been fed, changed, and cuddled. It’s exhausting and confusing, especially when nothing seems to help. If you’re wondering whether it’s purple crying vs colic, you’re not alone.
This guide will help you tell the difference, understand why it happens, and learn how to respond with calm, caring strategies that support both you and your baby.
What Is Colic, and What Is Purple Crying?
Colic is a situation in which a normal baby cries for an extended period for no apparent reason. It tends to begin in the first few weeks of life and may persist until about five months of age. Colicky babies will tend to cry the most in the late afternoon or late evening. Your baby might fist, draw their legs up, arch their back, or turn red. They may remain cranky even after they have been fed or had their diaper changed.
Purple crying, on the other hand, is a normal development. It happens when a baby cries excessively, typically beginning between two weeks of age and generally peaking at six to eight weeks of age. Your baby is developing very quickly at this time, particularly their brain, and crying is a means for them to adapt to the world.
The term PURPLE is an acronym that explains the pattern:
- Peak of crying: Most intense at two months
- Unexpected: No obvious trigger
- Resists soothing: Traditional comfort might not work
- Pain-like face: Grimaces or frowns, even if they’re not in pain
- Long-lasting: Crying may continue for hours
- Evening: Typically occurs late in the day
It's confusing, especially for new parents. But once you know what’s normal, it becomes easier to respond gently.
What Is the Difference Between Colic and Purple Crying?
Purple crying and colic are both happening in the first few months and may include extended crying spells. But they also contrast in numerous ways.
Colic appears to be associated with physical distress. Babies will cry after feeding, appear tense during feeding, or exhibit gas or reflux. The crying can also be relieved by a change of position, burping, or dietary change.
Meanwhile, purple crying has no reason or warning signs. Your baby might seem completely fine one moment and then cry for the next hours. It is because their brain is growing up and learning to handle all the noise, light, and stimulation in this new environment. They cry not because they are hungry or injured but because they are adjusting to their life outside the womb.
Here's the big difference: colic will improve with soothing, but purple crying won't. Nothing about rocking, bouncing, feeding, or singing will make it quit, and that can be really frustrating. But it's not you. It's not what you did or didn't do. It's a phase. And all phases end.
Why Do Colic and Purple Crying Happen?
There is no specific explanation as to why colic or purple crying occurs, but research have shown that colic may be linked to digestive discomfort, sensitivity to stimulation, or difficulty adjusting to feeding.
Purple crying, however, is considered a natural part of newborn development. It’s how babies cope with the overwhelming experience of being in the outside world. Their senses are overloaded; new sights, sounds, feelings and crying are part of how they process all that change.
What's the Period of Purple Crying?
Purple crying usually begins at two weeks of age. It reaches its peak between six and eight weeks and gradually slows down by the time your baby is five months old.
At this stage, it is not uncommon for babies to cry for hours without there being anything wrong with their health. They may be healthy, gaining weight, and developing well, but they’ll just cry. These crying spells tend to occur more often at night, perhaps due to excessive noise, light, and activity during the day.
To better understand your baby’s emotional and physical responses during this time, the Momcozy Smart Baby Monitor can help. Through this device, you can observe your baby's facial expressions and any change in their sleeping patterns. It also comes with two-way audio and temperature monitoring, which allow you to react thoughtfully and calmly when changes occur.
What Cures Colic?
There isn't one. However, many parents find the relief they need in consistent routines and gentle measures. Here are some things to try:
- Hold the baby after feeding: Try holding them first for 20–30 minutes before putting them down. It can ease digestion and prevent reflux symptoms.
- Massage the baby's belly: Use gentle, circular motions across their tummy when they're relaxed. Some parents do this during a diaper change or after a bath.
- Swaddle safely: Use a light blanket to cover your baby. It may comfort them by making them feel secure and cozy, like when they're in the womb. It's sometimes best before naps or at night.
- Provide a pacifier: Some babies want to use their pacifiers even when they're full. It can assist them in calming down in car rides, lullabies, or when you're rocking them softly.
- Reduce noise and light in the room: A quiet and dark room can help in de-stimulating. It is effective in the evening if your baby appears more attuned to chaotic environments or non-stop movement.
- Play soft, calming sounds: Babies are big fans of lullabies; it may help them when nothing else does.
What Are 3 Action Steps a Parent Can Do for Purple Crying?
Purple crying may be hard, particularly if nothing appears to calm the baby. Though it is a natural process, these steps can possibly help make it easier:
1. Establish a peaceful and low-stimulation setting
There is less stimulation and less to see at night. Dimming the lights, switching off screens, and playing calming background noise can quiet the room. A remotely controlled sound machine is convenient because parents can change the settings without disturbing the sleeping baby.
2. Observe the baby's behavior and routines
Over time, there may be some positions, sounds, or routines that are slightly useful. Some babies, for example, like to be held up or rocked. To notice these small reactions and be aware of them can be useful to future calm measures and provide a sense of security.
3. Step back briefly as necessary
Purple crying takes hours and exhausts parents. Parents can rest for a while if they feel upset. They may place the baby safely in the crib or beside them and take a few minutes to calm down. That way, they can be prepared to assist again.
10 Tips to Settle Your Crying Baby
These suggestions won't stop them from crying, but they'll provide simple methods of easing your baby through tough times.
- Hold your baby - Your heartbeat and warmth are soothing. Being with them, you can soothe them and reassure them, particularly when they cry for an extended period.
- Rock or walk with your baby gently - A slow rhythm can be used to soothe an overstimulated baby. Sway gently in a quiet room or rock gently in a rocking chair.
- Swaddle with care - A snug, soft wrap can make some babies feel comfortable and less frightened by abrupt movement. It is extremely useful before naps or bedtime.
- Offer your baby a pacifier if they prefer it - Most babies find sucking reassuring, even when they are not hungry. It can be helpful when they are cranky, on a car ride, or attempting to sleep.
- Play calming sounds - Lullabies or calming music can mask distracting sounds and establish a daily routine. The Momcozy Smart Baby Sound Machine lets you adjust volume and keep tabs on tracks remotely without waking up.
- Dim the lights and reduce distractions - Babies cry more frequently when they are overstimulated. Turn off the light, switch off screens, and lower the voices to soothe them.
- Massage carefully - Practice gentle back pats, leg pats, or belly pats. It will help with the digestion of your baby. Do this at diaper changing or after bath time when your baby is relaxed.
- Give a warm bath - Try to use water to calm your baby if they are tense or overwhelmed. Ensure the room is warm and employ slow, gentle movements to create a pleasant experience.
- Switch places - Babies want to be held in different positions. Some like to be held upright, while others prefer to lie across your forearm or your chest. If your baby is cranky, switch how you're holding them and wait a minute or two and see if it helps.
- Take a momentary pause if you require one - In case the crying is excessive, it is not a bad thought to pause for a moment. Place your baby securely in his crib and take a deep breath. Getting back to normal makes you more patient and compassionate.
Conclusion
Long stretches of crying can be one of the hardest parts of caring for a newborn, especially when it feels like nothing helps. Whether it’s purple crying vs colic, knowing the difference can help you respond with more confidence and less worry. This phase is tough, but it won’t last forever.
Gentle routines, patience, and the right tools, like the Momcozy Smart Baby Monitor and Sound Machine, can give you extra support along the way.
Trust that you're doing your best, and in time, the crying will pass, bringing calmer days ahead.
