RAINBOW baby has been a term used by members of the baby loss community for many years.
The symbol of a rainbow brings great meaning to many families.
What is a rainbow baby?
A rainbow baby is a baby born after a miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, termination for medical reasons, stillbirth or neonatal death.
The term is given to the precious gift of a newborn after a tragic loss.
A rainbow typically follows a storm, referring to the traumatic events preceding the new arrival.
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For some parents, the symbol of a rainbow over-simplifies their experience because the arrival of a rainbow baby doesn’t take away the grief they feel about their loss.
For others, rainbows symbolise hope and light after a dark time.
For many, the arrival of a rainbow baby is an emotional time and can bring up many conflicting feelings of happiness, grief and even guilt.
Experts advise talking to someone you trust, whether a family member, friend or health visitor, or keeping a journal to help express what you’re feeling.
Why is a child born after loss called a rainbow baby?
For parents who have experienced the loss of a baby, the birth of a rainbow baby is a time of immense joy, reflection, healing, and mixed emotions.
Rainbow babies are often described as "miracle" babies due to the powerful impact they can have on helping parents heal after a loss.
Just like a rainbow after a storm, rainbow babies bring the same feeling of happiness to families.
The term has also gained popularity in recent years on social media, as a symbol of healing and hope.
Many also put the rainbow as a theme to their baby showers and gender reveals as a way to show that they're having a rainbow baby.
The wife of the former Prime Minister, Boris Johnson- Carrie Johnson, gave birth to a rainbow baby in December 2021, after suffering a miscarriage in early 2021.
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What is the difference between a rainbow baby vs an angel baby?
An angel baby is another important term when dealing with loss.
The term refers to an infant who passes away during pregnancy or soon after birth.
This term gives grieving parents a simple and yet respectful way to reference their loss.
Along with rainbow babies, angel babies hold special significance for their parents.
Although baby loss is a difficult experience for everyone, angel babies can include a particular set of challenges.
With any loss, it is completely normal to experience feelings of sadness, guilt and even isolation.
With this in mind, it's important for parents of angel babies to have a space to share their emotions.
Many specialists recommend parents hold a memorial service, which can be very healing.
Visiting support groups can also put parents of angel babies in touch with others who are in a similar situation.
What is the difference between a rainbow baby vs a sunshine baby?
Most people are more familiar with the term "rainbow baby" than "sunshine baby," but in a way, they are opposites.
While a rainbow baby is a baby born after a miscarriage, a sunshine baby is a living child before pregnancy loss.
Sunshine itself is a symbol of optimism and vitality, and can also express the calm before the storm.