From 9th to 15th October, we observe Baby Loss Awareness Week, a time to honour the lives of babies lost during pregnancy or after birth, while raising awareness for families who have experienced this profound heartbreak. It is also an opportunity to reflect on the strength of those navigating their grief and to celebrate both the rainbow babies born after loss, as well as the ongoing support available for families enduring such pain.
At iCandy, we are proud to work with many parents, including those who have sadly experienced the unimaginable loss of a baby. We are committed to raising awareness about the vital support available for anyone going through this difficult journey. Baby Loss Awareness Week allows us to highlight the incredible work of clinics, research centres, and charities around the world that support families and help bring rainbow babies into their lives.
The Role of Charities and Support Organisations
One such charity, The Lullaby Trust, offers incredible support not only to families who have lost a baby to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) but also to those grieving after any sudden and unexpected death of a baby or young child. The Lullaby Trust provides bereavement support through a dedicated helpline, befriending service, their Care of Next Infant (CONI) programme and a community for those navigating life after loss. Their work extends beyond grief support, helping families with practical advice for safer sleep and wellbeing. To access their services or find out more, visit their website.
Another invaluable resource is Tommy’s, the UK’s largest charity dedicated to researching pregnancy loss and premature birth. Tommy’s provides vital support, specialist care, and information for those affected by baby loss, helping thousands of families welcome their rainbow babies after loss. For more information or to join their baby loss support group on Facebook, visit their website.
In addition, The Miscarriage Association offers support through a UK-wide network of volunteers who provide care and understanding based on their own experience with baby loss. To learn more about their services, visit their website.
Honouring Lives and Sharing Stories
It’s important to remember that no one has to go through this journey alone. During Baby Loss Awareness Week, some of our brave iCandy families have shared their personal stories and advice in the hope that it might help others.
"As I write this, I can feel the tears welling up because Baby Loss Awareness Week holds so much meaning for us. Our daughter Winnie is our double rainbow baby. After losing two babies before her, there were times I thought we’d never be where we are today. It’s been a rollercoaster of emotions, from hitting rock bottom to slowly finding hope again, but we made it.
Losing a baby never leaves you. A little bit of your heart leaves too, but when your rainbow arrives, they come with bandages and plasters to help the wounds heal. It still hurts and I still think about our losses a lot, but I like to imagine that Winnie has literally wrapped my heart up and helped to ease the pain. She’s our little miracle and I know that her siblings live on through her.
To anyone who’s still waiting for their rainbow, we see you. My only tip is to never give up hope. Hope is the only thing that kept me going on the darkest days. Hope was the one thing that got me up in the morning and the one thing that helped me sleep at night.
You will never “get over” your losses but I promise in time things will get easier. I find a lot of comfort in visiting our babies' memorials and we use their anniversaries as days we are allowed to feel sad and use them to honour their little lives however small they may have been, they left a huge hole in our lives.”
“Both of my beautiful children are rainbow babies. I gave birth to Leo after a termination for medical reasons in 2020 and after a miscarriage we welcomed our first-born living child, Ellis into our family. After a further miscarriage we welcomed Aubrey. Five pregnancies and two children feel weird to read on my medical notes and is bittersweet. It’s a lovely way to remember my babies that I grew and loved even if for a moment, but it is also a constant reminder of the loss within our family.
Although so many women go through it, losing a baby can be one of the loneliest feelings.
For me, I found it so hard to feel connected to anyone around me, almost like no one knew the right thing to say or do. If someone you know has lost a baby: -
- Make sure they know you are there to support in any way. Anything, no matter how small, will be appreciated. Whether that’s a text to let them know they’re on your mind, taking over a hot meal or sending them flowers.
- Pregnancy news may hurt a lot right now. Being given someone’s pregnancy news in a big group or as a post on Instagram can hurt a lot. Go to them directly and make sure you give them time and space to process this.
- Talk about the baby they’ve lost if they’re ready. I am very open and always like being reminded of the babies I’ve lost as they are and always will be a part of our family.
- A little gift with their babies name(s) on can validate their grief and gives them a beautiful reminder of their baby. One of my friends bought me a candle with Leo’s name and date of birth on it and this is one of my favourite gifts I’ve ever received.
Ultimately, everyone grieves in different ways but knowing a friend is there to support you when you need them is something that you never forget.”