Why Babies Cry the Most at 6-8 Weeks: What New Parents Should Expect

A healthy infant's crying can peak at two hours per day around six to eight weeks of age. This peak often happens right when you feel like you should be getting the hang of things. In our last episode, we talked about how newborn sleep is all about brain arousals, and today we’re talking about what happens when they’re awake... and not happy. As a parent, the sound of your baby crying is designed to get your attention. It's a signal that can trigger a powerful, immediate need to fix whatever is wrong. And as a pediatrician, I tell parents that this instinct is good. Your first step should always be to run through the checklist.

Are they hungry? Do they need a diaper change? Are they too hot or too cold? Is a piece of clothing pinching them? These are the simple, fixable problems. But sometimes, you run through that entire checklist, and the crying doesn't stop. In fact, it might get more intense. This is where so many parents start to feel lost, or like they're failing. You're not failing. You may have just entered what we call the Period of PURPLE Crying. It’s a concept developed by Dr. Ronald Barr, and it's a game-changer for understanding this phase. PURPLE is an acronym that describes what this crying looks like. The 'P' stands for Peak of Crying.

Your baby might cry more each week, peaking around two months, then less in months three to five. 'U' is for Unexpected. The crying can come and go, and you have no idea why. 'R' means it Resists Soothing. This is the tough one. You might try everything, and nothing seems to work. 'P' is for a Pain-like Face. They may look like they're in pain, even when they're not. 'L' stands for Long Lasting. Crying can go on for as much as five hours a day, or more. And finally, 'E' is for Evening. The crying often gets worse in the late afternoon and evening. This isn't a disorder. It's not your fault. It is a normal developmental phase that some infants go through.

And it ends. The most important thing to understand about this period is that the goal isn't always to find the magic 'off' switch. Sometimes, there isn't one. The goal is to cope. It’s to offer comfort and stay calm yourself, even if the crying continues. Your baby isn't crying to manipulate you. Their brain is just incredibly disorganized right now. They are overwhelmed, and they don't have a better way to tell you. Knowing this can shift your goal from "stopping the crying" to "supporting my baby through it." So what does support actually look like? Here are three things that often work, based on the work of Dr.

Harvey Karp. First, swaddling. A snug swaddle recreates the feeling of the womb and can prevent their own startle reflex from waking them or escalating their cries. Make sure it's snug around the arms, but loose around the hips so they can move their legs freely. Second, try a different position. Holding your baby on their side or on their stomach, across your forearm—often called the "football hold"—can be very calming. This position helps their vestibular system, which controls balance, feel more regulated. Just remember, this is only for soothing while you are awake and holding them. The rule is always back to sleep.

Third, use sound and motion. A strong "shushing" sound, made close to your baby's ear, mimics the constant whoosh of blood flow they heard in the womb. It needs to be louder than their cry to catch their attention. Pair this with gentle, rhythmic swinging or jiggling. Not vigorous shaking—just small, soothing motions. And the most important strategy of all? It’s for you. If you've checked everything, and you've tried to soothe them, and you feel yourself getting frustrated or overwhelmed… it is one hundred percent okay to put your baby down safely in their crib, walk into another room, and take five minutes to breathe.

A baby crying alone in a safe place is okay. A baby in the arms of a parent who has lost their patience is not. This phase feels like it will last forever, but it is a short, specific season in your child's life. Your job isn't to be a perfect parent who has a silent baby. Your job is to be a present parent who gets through it, one day at a time.