What is the Period of PURPLE Crying program?
The Period of PURPLE Crying program is an evidence-based shaken baby syndrome/abusive head trauma (SBS/AHT) prevention program available since 2007. The program has two aims:
1. To support parents and caregivers in their understanding of early increased infant crying
2. To reduce the incidence of SBS/AHT
The program approaches SBS/AHT and infant abuse prevention by helping parents and caregivers understand the frustrating features of crying in normal, healthy infants that can lead to shaking or abuse. The program provides the opportunity for parents to learn about the crying characteristics from over 50 years of research on normal infant crying conducted by Dr. Ronald G. Barr, and other scientists worldwide.
Program Materials
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The Period of PURPLE Crying is designed and approved by pediatricians, public health nurses, child development experts and parents. The program materials are:
- Educational, attractive and relevant to all parents of newborns
- Relevant for all parents while emphasizing the dangers of shaking a baby
- Clear, memorable, and meaningful with a positive message
- Presented at a grade 3 language level
- Representative of multicultural and ethnic backgrounds
- Acceptable to public health nurses; no bottles or blankets
Below are a few samples from the Period of PURPLE Crying video, booklet and reminder card and some clips from the Crying, Soothing and Coping: Doing What Comes Naturally video.
Preview of the Parent education program describing normal infant crying and the dangers of shaking a baby. Click to view.
The Period of PURPLE Crying video describes some action steps to take when your baby is crying inconsolably. Click to View
Introduction to the Crying, Soothing and Coping video where a mother tearfully describes her thoughts dealing with the frustrations of her baby daughter's inconsolable crying. Click to View
The Crying, Soothing and Coping video explains that some ways a parent or caregiver uses to soothe their crying baby may work some of the time, but nothing will work ALL of the time. Click to View
Removable card reminding caregivers what to do when they have an inconsolable crier. Click to View
A 10-page booklet describing the key program messages from the PURPLE video in written format. Click to View
A 10-page booklet describing the key program messages from the PURPLE video in written format. Click to View
The program materials include:
Booklet + Web and Mobile App
- Available in English, Spanish and French
- Full color 10-page booklet
- Parent Reminder Card
- Web and mobile app including:
- 10-minute PURPLE Crying video
- 17-minute Crying, Soothing, Coping: Doing What Comes Naturally video
- 10-page e-booklet
The mobile app is a useful and informative tool for parents to not only learn about normal infant crying and the dangers of shaking a baby, but it also addresses other extremely important health and safety topics. The app also features a baby tracker and news section that is continually updated. Please watch the video below to learn about all the unique features of the Period of PURPLE Crying mobile app.
Research
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Over the last several years, the body of scientific research with the Period of PURPLE Crying has grown significantly. The NCSBS and our partners are committed to continuing to improve and strengthen the PURPLE program through on-going evaluation. Continued research with the program is what drives many of the changes and enhancements that are made to the program content and to the model. Our overall aim is build a program that is highly effective in improving parents and caregivers understanding of normal infant crying and ultimately reduce the incidence of SBS/AHT.
The following is a list of published research with the Period of PURPLE Crying. This list continues to grow, so check back often for new published research.
Implementation Resources
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Complimentary online training for organizations that are preparing to deliver and reinforce the PURPLE program to families. Inquiring organizations may register for a preview of the program materials and training course. Social work and Nursing CEU’s are available upon completion.
Fidelity Agreement
All partnering organizations participating in Dose One Delivery should sign and return this shared agreement. Return of this signed agreement confirms you have read and agree with the program’s Implementation Protocol.
All partnering organizations participating in Dose One Delivery should sign and return this shared agreement. Return of this signed agreement confirms you have read and agree with the program’s Implementation Protocol.
Guidebook
The 2018 Period of PURPLE Crying Guidebook is a complete manual to everything PURPLE. The guidebook contains in-depth information and resources related to implementation, evaluation, three-dose model, funding and much more.
The 2018 Period of PURPLE Crying Guidebook is a complete manual to everything PURPLE. The guidebook contains in-depth information and resources related to implementation, evaluation, three-dose model, funding and much more.
Program Overview
A summary of the program and a guide to help organizations through the steps of implementation.
A summary of the program and a guide to help organizations through the steps of implementation.
Implementation Protocol
Describes the requirements for implementing the program according to the evidence-based model.
Describes the requirements for implementing the program according to the evidence-based model.
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