The Period of PURPLE Crying is an evidence-based curriculum that helps caregivers understand the normal time in every infant’s development, ranging from about 2 weeks to 3-4 months, when babies seem to resist soothing. The program takes a normal child development approach by helping parents and caregivers understand the frustrating features of crying in normal infants that can lead to shaking or abuse.

The Period of PURPLE Crying is a registered trademark of the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome (NCSBS), and Dr. Ronald G. Barr, a developmental pediatrician and world expert on infant crying. The NCSBS works internationally to implement the PURPLE program in hospitals and public health organizations to prevent the shaking and abuse of infants—and PCAND coordinates with hospitals, clinics, human service zones, public health units and more throughout North Dakota to train staff on the program and distribute the booklet+app to caregivers of newborns.

For Agencies

Thanks to the support of the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, PCAND is able to provide training and materials for the program at low or no cost. 

Materials Available

Available training materials are educational, attractive, and relevant to parents of newborns from various multicultural and ethnic backgrounds. They emphasize the dangers of shaking with a clear, positive message and comply with safe sleep and public health safety recommendations. 

They include:

• Full color 10-page booklet

• Web and mobile application

• Parent reminder card

• “DAD” Card for Primary Male Caregivers

• 10-minute PURPLE crying video

• 17-minute Crying, Soothing, Coping: Doing What Comes Naturally video