Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your pediatrician if you are worried about your baby’s crying or health.
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As a pharmacist and a dad, I remember pacing the living room floor at 3 AM with my own screaming newborn, thinking, “I must be doing something wrong.” You feed them, change them, rock them — and nothing works. I’ve been there. You are not failing. This is incredibly common, and it even has a name: newborn colic, or what experts now call the Period of PURPLE Crying.
Here is everything you need to know — and most importantly — how to soothe your baby faster and keep your sanity in the process.
What Exactly Is Newborn Colic? (The 3-by-3 Rule)
Not all crying is colic. Doctors follow a simple guideline known as the “Rule of Threes” to diagnose colic:
- Crying for more than 3 hours a day
- More than 3 days a week
- For at least 3 weeks in a row
This happens in an otherwise healthy, well-fed baby. It usually starts around 2–3 weeks of age, peaks at about 6 weeks, and — here’s the good news — most babies naturally outgrow it by 3–4 months.
What’s interesting is that the most current medical thinking now classifies colic as a disorder of gut–brain interaction, rather than just a tummy problem. In plain English, your baby’s still-developing nervous system and digestive system are struggling to talk to each other.
What Is the Period of PURPLE Crying? (It’s Evidence-Based)
The “PURPLE” crying phase is a normal developmental stage, not a medical condition or something you caused. It’s an acronym that helps parents understand what’s happening:
- Peak of crying (usually peaks around 2 months and fades by 3–5 months)
- Unexpected (crying comes and goes for no obvious reason)
- Resists soothing (you try everything and nothing helps)
- Pain-like face (your baby may look like they’re in pain, even though they’re not)
- Long-lasting (crying can go on for up to 5 hours a day)
- Evening occurrence (it almost always happens in the late afternoon or evening)
This crying is intense, high-pitched, and absolutely draining for parents. But here’s what many parents don’t realize: the PURPLE program has been shown to reduce physical abuse hospitalization rates in infants by as much as 30–35% simply by educating parents that this phase is normal and will pass. That statistic alone should reassure you that you’re not alone — and that this is genuinely hard for everyone.
Listen to the Cry: The 5 Types of Baby Crying
Before you reach for another soothing technique, stop and listen for a few seconds. Your baby is actually trying to tell you something specific. I highly recommend checking out this detailed guide on what are the 5 types of baby crying for the full breakdown, but here’s the quick version:
- “Neh” = Hunger (it’s the sound of the tongue hitting the roof of the mouth, triggering the sucking reflex)
- “Owh” = Tired (like a human yawn, this means it’s time for a nap)
- “Eh” = Needs burping (a short, jerky sound from trapped gas in the chest)
- “Eairh” = Lower gas or bloating (more urgent and strained — often with legs pulled up)
- “Heh” = General discomfort (wet diaper, too hot, too cold)
The “Eairh” cry is frequently linked to colic. If you hear that strained, urgent wail and your baby is clenching their fists and pulling their legs tight, you’re likely dealing with trapped lower gas or colic discomfort.
New Research: What Actually Works for Colic (2025–2026 Updates)
A lot has changed recently in how we understand and treat colic. Let me share the most useful takeaways from the latest studies.
Probiotics: Specific Strains Make a Huge Difference
Probiotics are not all created equal. The latest large-scale meta-analyses show that specific strains can significantly reduce crying time, especially in breastfed infants:
- Limosilactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 is one of the most well-studied strains. In breastfed babies, it’s twice as likely to produce a 50% reduction in crying within 14–21 days.
- Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB‑12 has also shown consistent benefits, becoming more effective after 3–4 weeks of use.
- A 2025 Italian pilot study found that a combination of tyndallized Bacillus coagulans and simethicone achieved at least a 50% reduction in crying time in 89% of colicky infants after 28 days.
- Importantly, probiotics are thought to work partly through anti-inflammatory effects in the gut.
Always ask your pediatrician before starting any supplement in a newborn.
Manual Therapies and Massage
A 2025 scoping review found that low-force manual therapies like abdominal massage, infant massage, and gentle osteopathic touch can reduce daily crying by 0.6 to 6.6 hours compared to usual care. A separate randomized controlled trial specifically concluded that anti-colic massage is more effective than kangaroo care for managing colic symptoms, though both help.
Cow’s Milk Allergy: Not the Usual Suspect
Here’s something that surprised me. A major 2025 review concluded that cow’s milk allergy is unlikely to be the cause of colic in an otherwise healthy infant unless there are other allergic symptoms like blood in the stool, vomiting, eczema, or poor weight gain.
That means you should not automatically cut dairy from your diet or switch to a hypoallergenic formula without clear guidance from your doctor. For most families, that’s unnecessary work and expense.
The 5 S’s – Proven Ways to Soothe Your Baby Fast
Dr. Harvey Karp’s 5 S’s method is one of the most effective, research-backed techniques for calming a colicky baby. These techniques mimic the snug, noisy, moving environment of the womb:
- Swaddle – Wrap your baby snugly in a lightweight swaddle blanket. A secure swaddle prevents the startle reflex that can wake them up.
- Side or Stomach Position – Hold your baby on their side or stomach while you are actively supervising. (Never put a baby to sleep in this position.)
- Shush – Make a loud, rhythmic “shhhh” sound right next to their ear — as loud as the crying itself.
- Swing – Use gentle, rhythmic, jiggly movements. Small, fast motions (about one back-and-forth per second) work better than large, slow sways.
- Suck – Offer a pacifier, your finger, or breastfeeding. The sucking reflex is deeply calming.
Pro tip: Combine all five S’s at once for the best results. This is sometimes called the “5 S’s Cuddle.”
How Our Baby Cry Decoder Tool Helps
Your baby’s cry gives you important clues, but when you’re exhausted and overwhelmed, it’s hard to think clearly. That’s exactly why we built our free Baby Cry Decoder Tool.
It helps you quickly figure out whether the cry is:
- EH = Discomfort (gas, colic, reflux)
- OWH = Tired / overwhelmed
- NEH = Hunger
Many parents tell us this tool helps them respond faster and with more confidence during the worst of the PURPLE crying phase.
When to Call the Doctor Right Away
Most colic is completely harmless. But you should call your pediatrician immediately if your baby has:
- Fever over 100.4°F (38°C) if they are under 3 months old
- Persistent vomiting, diarrhea, or blood in the stool
- Not gaining weight or has fewer wet diapers than usual (fewer than 4–6 per day)
- Crying that suddenly becomes much worse or changes in character
- A high-pitched, shrieking, or unusual cry you’ve never heard before
- Any signs of lethargy or difficulty waking up for feeds
Trust your gut. If something feels wrong, call your doctor.
Extra Soothing Tips That Actually Work
Beyond the 5 S’s, here are additional strategies supported by evidence and real parent experience:
- White noise machine – Set it loud enough to be heard over the crying. The consistent sound mimics the womb.
- Warm bath before bedtime – The temperature change can help reset your baby’s nervous system.
- Skin-to-skin contact – Dad’s chest works just as well as Mom’s. This lowers both your cortisol levels.
- Gentle tummy massage – Use clockwise circles with light pressure. Research shows this reduces abdominal tension and supports digestive function.
- “Bicycle legs” – Gently move your baby’s legs in a bicycling motion to help pass trapped gas.
- A change of scenery – Sometimes just walking outside or moving to a different room interrupts the crying cycle.
- For breastfeeding moms – You can try cutting caffeine or dairy for a few days to see if it helps, but remember the research suggests true food allergies are rarely the cause of isolated colic.
A Note on Parental Mental Health (Please Read This)
Here’s the part no one talks about enough. The PURPLE crying phase is a major trigger for postpartum depression, parental exhaustion, and early breastfeeding cessation. That’s not a weakness — that’s a physiological response to chronic sleep deprivation and an inconsolable baby.
If you find yourself feeling angry, hopeless, or like you might lose control, put the baby down in a safe place (like their crib) and walk away for 5–10 minutes. Close the door. Take some deep breaths. Call a friend or family member. The baby will be fine crying safely in the crib. You need to protect yourself to protect your baby.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does my baby’s colic mean they’re in pain?
A: Not necessarily. The current understanding is that colic is primarily a gut–brain communication issue, not necessarily a pain response. Your baby’s crying is their only way of communicating, even when they’re not in distress.
Q: How long will this last?
A: Colic typically peaks around 6–8 weeks and resolves by 3–4 months. A small percentage of babies continue until 5 months.
Q: Can I still breastfeed during this time?
A: Absolutely. In fact, continuing to breastfeed is strongly encouraged. If you’re concerned about your diet, talk to a lactation consultant before making major changes.
Q: Do probiotics work for formula-fed babies too?
A: The evidence is strongest for breastfed infants. For formula-fed babies, some studies suggest benefits, but the results are less consistent.
You’re Doing a Great Job
I want to be really direct with you for a moment. The PURPLE crying phase is temporary. It does not mean your baby is broken, in constant pain, or that you’re a bad parent. It means your baby is developing normally, and you’re in the hardest stretch.
Take breaks when you need them. Ask for help from family or your partner — and accept it when it’s offered. If you feel overwhelmed, anxious, or angry on a regular basis, talk to your doctor about postpartum mood changes. This is more common than you think, and there is help available.
Have you tried the 5 S’s yet? Drop your experience or questions in the comments below. You can also try our Baby Cry Decoder Tool right now — it’s free and takes just seconds.
You’ve got this, mama and papa. ❤️
— Your friendly neighborhood pharmacist dad