The Period of Purple Crying

The Period of PURPLE Crying® program is the name given to a shaken baby prevention program developed by the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome. The program includes a full color 11-page booklet and a 10-minute DVD which are given to parents of new infants.

The Period of Purple Crying Parents face many challenges when a new baby comes into their lives, including what to do with a baby that won't stop crying. A new DVD, called "The Period of Purple Crying" teaches parents that their baby's crying is normal.

“As you know, all babies cry and they cry for various reasons.” Cathy Coates, a registered nurse at University Hospital, teaches new mothers about this “period of purple crying” before sending them home with a brand new baby. “I think they think the name "purple crying" is different. It may be a term that they haven't heard before but they are grateful to learn about it.” 

This “period of purple crying” is the most dangerous time for an infant, if parents don't find healthy ways to cope with the stress.

“We found that crying is the most common trigger for shaken baby syndrome,” says Danielle Vazquez, a marketing specialist from the National Center for Shaken Baby Syndrome. “And so we feel that if we educate parents and caregivers about crying patterns that their infants may go through then they will be less likely to shake their infants because they will know what's coming.”

Danielle says parents appreciate the message the video shares because it educates them about their baby’s behavior. She also says parents need to share the DVD and booklet with anyone who will be taking care of their new baby. “Mothers get the information, but they are not always the perpetrators, so it's important to share the information with anyone who takes care of your baby - the father, the grandparents, the neighbor girl down the street.”

Danielle and Cathy both say it's important for parents to know that it's normal to become frustrated, that it's OK to put the baby down and let the baby cry, and that it's OK to be bold and say, "my baby's important; please do not shake my baby under any circumstance."

Learn more about The Period of Purple Crying program and order your DVD at www.dontshake.org.