Power of PURPLE Baby Photo & Essay Contest Winners

The contest was co-sponsored by the Period of PURPLE Crying: Keeping Babies Safe in North Carolina and Carolina Parent Magazine

First prize winner:
Jessica Simmons
Graham, NC
Prize: Tamara Lackey photo shoot and one 8x10 photo
Roman Simmons:

Jessica Simmons: “The biggest factor that I feel empowered me to be a better parent during the Period of PURPLE Crying was becoming knowledgeable to expect it, and knowledgeable that not only did it mean that I was not an incompetent mother, but also that it would not last forever. Because we had been educated on the concept, when our baby had periods of inconsolability, we were able to brush it off and even joke about it. We called the fussy evening period "the witching hours", and we traded off baby duty to avoid becoming frustrated.”

Second prize winner:
Dana Jefferson
Wake Forest, NC
Prize: Salubrious Massage and Dixie Belle Smokehouse gift certificate
Ava Jefferson:

Dana Jefferson: “What helped empower me to be a better parent during the Period of PURPLE Crying was that I knew that I had a plethora of support from my partner. We watched the video in the hospital and loved the “PURPLE” acronym which made it easy for us to remember and apply the tactics. Armed with the knowledge we received in childbirth preparation classes and in the hospital; I felt confident that we knew what approach to take to soothe our baby.”

Third prize winner:
Lalita Guenther
Fayetteville, NC
Prize: Gift basket from the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome
Kyle Guenther:

Lalita Guenther: “I feel I have become a more understanding mother during the Period of PURPLE Crying by just knowing that what is happening is normal and he is OK. My mother and I have established a name for my son whenever he is being PURPLE. He is now more commonly known as Mr. Grumpy Pants.” 

Honorable mention - photo
Raquel Robinson
Knightdale
Prize: Dixie Belle Smokehouse gift certificate
Karri Robinson: