What does "rainbow baby" mean?

The term "rainbow babe" describes a child who is born later a previous child was lost to miscarriage, stillbirth, or expiry during infancy. The term has been popularized on social media through rainbow pregnancy announcements, altogether posts, rainbow emojis, and hashtags.

The rainbow is a symbol of the radiant beauty that can come after a devastating tempest. The endearing metaphor is meant to both celebrate the new kid and respectfully honor the loss that came before.

For some parents, expecting a rainbow babe is joyful. But for others, information technology can surface difficult emotions and grief for the "angel babe" who was lost.

What is a double rainbow infant?

The moniker "double rainbow baby" characterizes a child born after two miscarriages, stillbirths, or deaths.

What is National Rainbow Baby Twenty-four hour period?

National Rainbow Baby Day falls on August 22. It's a time when families tin rejoice in the blessings of a healthy child while reflecting on the previous loss. Many families participate simply by posting about their feel on social media (run across "How can I celebrate my rainbow baby and accolade our loss?" below).

National Rainbow Baby Day is too an opportunity to build community and awareness around pregnancy and infant loss. An estimated 10 to 20 percent of all known pregnancies end in miscarriage, and 1 per centum of pregnancies end in stillbirth. Withal many parents grieving the loss of an infant feel discouraged and alone. Sharing messages of support, healing, and hope tin be cathartic.

What is it like to be pregnant with a rainbow baby?

The notion that becoming pregnant again tin can ease the pain of a previous loss is a common one. But it's rarely that simple. In fact, studies evidence that women who have had a miscarriage or stillbirth accept higher rates of anxiety and depression during a subsequent pregnancy, peculiarly if they've experienced multiple losses.

Conflicting feelings can be hard to manage during a rainbow pregnancy. Here's what moms in the BabyCenter Community's Rainbow Babies group accept to say:

"I simply found out I'g pregnant once again. We're over the moon excited, simply I'yard scared to death at the same time."

"After losing a babe – especially at nativity! – no one tells you how hard it is to be meaning again. No one tells y'all how anxious y'all'll be or how it'due south hard to differentiate the electric current pregnancy from the last one."

"I'm excited mixed with guilt mixed with complete joy!"

"I'm trying so hard to be positive, but I'm a nervous wreck. All I'thou doing is comparing this pregnancy to my miscarriage."

"Nosotros had our commencement ultrasound yesterday, and we felt zero connection to this baby. When I was 6 weeks with our commencement I was crying because I already loved him and so much. I experience no emotional connection to this baby. No joy or excitement. Zippo."

"I didn't tell anyone I was pregnant because I was letting fear strip my joy. My midwife continued me with a therapist who specializes in fetal loss. It's been helpful. With every small-scale milestone I feel a lilliputian bit better and it gets a picayune bit easier."

If you lot're having a difficult time emotionally, talk to your intendance provider and consider finding a good therapist who can support you through pregnancy and beyond.

How can I gloat my rainbow baby and honor our loss?

In that location'southward no "right" way to gloat a rainbow baby or honor an angel baby. Individuals, societies, cultures, and religions have differing norms and traditions about mourning death and welcoming life. Do what feels best for you lot and your family, whether that's sharing your loss with the world or just close family and friends. Here are some ideas to inspire you:

  • Tell your story. Sharing your experience with others can help you feel less isolated, help you procedure your grief, and make room for hope.
  • Constitute an "angelversary." Gear up aside time annually to remember and accolade your lost baby or babies.
  • Plant a tree or flowering bush. Constitute one tree for each child, or employ special plaques to commemorate each life.
  • Personalize jewelry. Initials, interlocked hearts, or entwined rings tin exist vesture symbols of your enduring love for all your children.
  • Get a tattoo. Artistic designs that leave space for future babies tin can be cute lifelong reminders of all your children.

Run into more ways to award your loss.

Rainbow baby proclamation ideas

There are many fun and artistic ways to share the news of your rainbow baby:

  • Balloon boutonniere: Gather a airship in each color of the rainbow and pose your belly or your baby with it.
  • Lovely letterboard: Spell out a special message or verse form and include the month your rainbow baby will be born. Wording ideas: "Without the rain in that location would never exist rainbows," or "Our rainbow after the storm."

pregnant woman holding a customised rainbow ornament

Getty Images

  • Colorful clothing: Shop for a rainbow shirt for yourself, or a rainbow onesie for your babe, and wearable it with pride.
  • Festive ornamentation: Personalize a rainbow decoration with your baby'south name, birth date, or a quote.

Learn more:

  • Honoring a baby who dies in pregnancy or infancy
  • Staying positive when yous're pregnant again after a loss
  • Getting support after a miscarriage