PURPLE crying can feel overwhelming, but in addition to knowing that it’s normal, there are a few things you can try when your baby is crying. Posted 5/6/2025, 4:37:19 PM Crying baby (Adobe Stock) ...

The cry it out method isn't just one set of instructions for getting your baby to sleep through the night but rather a variety of strategies. We'll explain those strategies.

This piece is part of Scientific American’s column The Science of Parenting. For more, go here. It was 3 A.M., and my seven-month-old would not stay asleep.

N – Never shake or hurt a baby. Research shows that some frustrated parents and carers may shake their baby to stop them crying, which can have devastating and lifelong consequences.