Baby Loss Awareness Week

We recognise the profound difficulty of the death of a baby. From 9-15 October, we will be signposting various support services and how to access them.

October 09, 2024

Baby loss brings many losses – all interwoven and complicated. There is the loss of what is and the loss of what was hoped for. Physical pain tangled in with emotional pain. Waves of hormonal changes as the physical body adjusts and adapts. Relationship tensions between partners, family and friends where everyone can feel out of time or out of sync with each other and their grief. People’s avoidance of it all – avoiding the people or avoiding the conversations – often unsure or fearful of what to say, scared of getting it wrong.  The longevity of grief through years of seeing others’ milestones – the social media feeds … the family gatherings … gender reveals … new baby celebrations … first day at school … graduation … wedding pictures – the happy ever after moments that never got to be a happy ever after for this pregnancy, for this baby. It is a painful tangle and one that can feel very lonely and isolating.

Help and support is available – if you, or someone you know, has experienced baby loss then allow this Baby Loss Awareness Week to be an opportunity to courageously connect with what support is best placed for just now. That support may be different things at different times in different places – from compassionate conversations with friends and family to professional support.

Join the global 'Wave of Light' by lighting a candle in memory of all babies' lives gone to soon. The global observance will take place on 7pm on Tuesday 15 October.

Words by Nicola Reed, Director of Client Services, Cruse Scotland.

Speak to a compassionate listener today by phoning our free bereavement helpline on 0808 802 6161. Phone lines are open 9am-8pm Monday-Friday and 10am-2pm Saturday and Sunday. Alternatively you can speak to a qualified counsellor via the GriefChat function here. 

If you or someone you know, has recently experienced baby loss, this leaflet from Social Security Scotland contains information about available financial support. Bereaved parents may be eligible for a Funeral Grant and a Best Start Grant of up to £754.65.

Baby Loss Awareness Week