If you’ve spent the last three hours pacing your living room with a screaming newborn who won’t be consoled by milk, a diaper change, or even the most rhythmic bouncing, welcome to the club. It’s exhausting, it’s loud, and it makes you question every parenting decision you’ve ever made. Usually, the first thing we do is turn to Google to figure out the difference between purple crying vs colic. Are they the same thing? Is your baby okay? And most importantly—when does it stop?
Let’s break down what’s actually happening in your house right now without the medical jargon.
Purple Crying vs Colic: What Is the Difference?
While they look very similar from the outside (lots of crying, red faces, and frustrated parents), they are actually two different ways of looking at the same developmental stage.
Understanding the “Colic” Label
For decades, doctors have used the “Rule of Three” to define colic: crying for more than three hours a day, three days a week, for at least three weeks. If your baby hits those numbers, they are often labeled as colicky. It’s a term used to describe a baby who cries excessively for no apparent reason.
What is the PURPLE Crying Period?
On the other hand, the term purple crying vs colic is often preferred by experts today because “PURPLE” is actually an acronym. It’s meant to remind parents that this is a normal, albeit miserable, developmental phase that all babies go through to some degree. It’s not a medical condition; it’s just a stage.
Peak of crying (Usually month 2).
Unexpected crying.
Resists soothing.
Pain-like face.
Long-lasting.
Evening crying (The dreaded “witching hour”).
Colic vs Purple Crying: How to Survive the Witching Hour
Whether you want to call it colic vs purple crying, the reality is the same: you need to get through the night. Here are a few things we’ve learned during our own “ordinary parent” midnight marathons:
The Change of Scenery: Sometimes just walking outside or stepping into a dark bathroom with a fan running can reset a baby’s sensory system.
Safety First: If you feel your frustration rising, it is 100% okay to put your baby in their crib, walk out of the room, and take five minutes to breathe. A crying baby in a safe crib is safer than a baby in the arms of a parent at their breaking point.
Check for Physical Comfort: While purple crying vs colic is usually developmental, always double-check for a “hair tourniquet” on toes or signs of a fever just to be sure.
When Will It Finally End?
The best part about the purple crying vs colic debate is that both have the same finish line. Most parents see a dramatic improvement by the time the baby is 3 to 4 months old. It feels like an eternity when you’re in the middle of it, but this stage is temporary.
If you are looking for more tips on staying sane while raising a tiny human, don’t forget to check our guide on things to do in Phoenix with kids for when they are finally old enough to enjoy the park!