National Rainbow Baby Day

First coined by grieving parents on blogs and chat rooms, the term ‘rainbow baby’ has saturated social media. A rainbow baby is a baby born after a miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death (the passing of a baby shortly after birth), or other infant death. Rainbow babies are the rainbows after the storms – bringing hope, promise, healing, and remembrance. Expectant parents often have mixed emotions during this pregnancy and after birth, as they navigate commemorating the child they lost while also celebrating a new life.

How to support a family expecting a rainbow baby

Send a rainbow. Share a gift that is rainbow-themed to let the family know that you’re remembering their lost child while also celebrating the new baby on the way.

Say the name. It is music to the bereaved parent’s ear to hear their baby’s name spoken. Remember the child gone too soon just as much as the one that is soon to come. Death doesn’t change their birth order either.

Emotions are real. Ask the parents how they are feeling and what you can do to help support them. Listening can go a long way just as much as avoiding saying anything that dismisses their pain, grief, or worries.