Every infant has one thing in common, crying. As a matter of fact, some crying babies get you really uncomfortable and to some extent angry, especially if you are a first-time parent.
However, the concept of purple crying has enabled most parents to understand their babies, even in the midst of endless crying.
Purple crying is a normal part in the development of every infant. Sometimes, when the baby crying is at its peak, people around you tend to convince you that your baby has colic.
In reality, the infant is just going through a normal stage in its life. Yeah! I know you are smiling as you see this; we have all been there.
Whenever you find your baby crying profusely for no reason, it is a normal developmental stage known as a Purple crying period.
Oh! By the way, the purple crying period doesn’t make your child purple, rather it is an acronym that best describes what parents and infants go through during this period.
Generally, the purple crying period begins when an infant is 2 weeks, and it lingers till about 3 to 4 months of age.
The purple crying period in the life of every infant is stressful for parents especially those that don’t really know much about it.
As a matter of fact, the most infant in their purple crying period cry helplessly and nothing seems to soothe them.
Frustratingly, the more you try to soothe them, the more they cry. Oops! I am sure you understand that feeling, especially when you don’t know anything about a purple crying period.
To have a better understanding of the concept of purple crying, we have described the acronym in details below;
The Meaning of the Acronym PURPLE
P – Peak of crying, U – Unexpected, R – Resists Soothing, P – Pain Like the face, L – Long Lasting, E – Evening
1. Peak Of Crying: The purple period is the peak of crying for every infant. The cry usually starts once the baby clocks 2 weeks and lingers till 3 to 4 months.
2. Unexpected: The crying is so intense and unexpected. In fact, the baby can start crying immediately and sleep off after resisting all soothing methods you remember.
3. Resist Soothing: The most frustrating aspect of the purple crying period is the fact that the baby will not stop crying no matter how you try to soothe them.
4. Pain like Face: Whenever your baby is passing through this phase, they crying as though they are in serious pain. However, in reality, they aren’t going through any pain, it is just a normal developmental process.
5. Long Lasting: Your baby can cry for a very long time during this period. Sometimes, the cry may last as long as 5 hours and even more.
6. Evening: Infant in their purple crying period cry mostly in the late afternoon or at night. This will even make you start thinking that your baby is seeing a walking dead.
How to Soothe a Crying Baby
Below are some of the ways to soothe a crying baby;
1. Swaddle the Baby
One of the ways to soothe a crying baby is to swaddle the baby. It is very easy, just use a big blanket to wrap up your infant securely.
2. Aid Digestion
Sometimes, indigestion could make your infant cry. All you have to do to ease this is make your baby lie on its left side and gently rub the back. This could soothe the infant in the midst of profuse crying.
3. Use noise
Sometimes, noise can soothe a crying baby. Noises like the whir of a fan or white noise machine can do the magic. It doesn’t work all the time though, but most times it will definitely soothe your crying baby.
4. Rock or Sway
You can rock or sway your baby around to soothe them.
Why Do Babies Cry So Much during the Purple Crying Period?
As of today, no doctor can ascertain why infants cry during the purple period. However, the purple crying period is not peculiar to human alone, but infants of other lower animals that still breastfeed.
Furthermore, continuous and increased crying is normal during this period. But it is advisable that when the cry is excessive and is becoming too much, you can see a doctor for examination immediately. This is the best thing to do to be on a safe side.
Was this article helpful? Kindly share with your friends on social media.
Photo: Pixabay.com
