Baby Loss Awareness Week 2025

As Baby Loss Awareness week begins, we are joining families everywhere in remembering the babies who have died and will always be a big part of their families.

We are thinking especially of the children who have lost a brother or sister, whether through miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death or any other kind of baby loss. Their grief and love matter too.

Here are a few ways to remember a baby/ babies and support a child who is grieving their sibling:

Remembering babies

• Use baby’s name when you can, it will help to keep their memory part of the family story

• Light a candle, plant a flower or make a memory box together.

• Let the child take part – drawing a picture, writing a note or choosing something special to remember their sibling can help them feel included and connected

Supporting siblings:

• Be open and honest. Children need clear words and explanations at their developmental age level, this can help them understand what has happened.

• Listen and validate. Encourage them to share feelings, or stay quiet if they need to. Every child grieves differently.

• Acknowledge their feelings.  The difficult feelings are part of the natural responses to loss, like anger, confusion or guilt.

• Keep checking in. Grief does not end after few weeks or months. Small moments of connection over time make a difference.

• Remember together. Talk about the baby that died, on the anniversaries, birthdays, special events or whenever they come to mind. Their place in the family remains.

This week shines a light on something many families carry in their hearts everyday;  the babies who have died and the children learning to live with their grief.