Baby Loss Awareness Week unites bereaved families across the UK

Community of support focuses on self-care and wellbeing 

People affected by pregnancy and baby loss will be joining together in communities across the UK, in person and online, to take part in a range of activities to remember and talk about their babies this Baby Loss Awareness Week (9-15 October), helping to break the silence around pregnancy and baby loss that sadly still exists for many.

Half of UK adults have said that they, or someone they know, had experienced at least one form of pregnancy or baby loss.¹ So it’s vital that everyone knows that they are not alone and that there is a community that understands and is here for them, whatever they need – be it guidance, shared stories or simply a listening ear to help and offer comfort.

Throughout the week people will be hosting ribbon displays, knitting post box toppers, painting pebbles with their babies’ names, lighting up their homes, businesses and high streets, painting their nails, dyeing their hair, or dressing up in Pink and Blue – the colours of Baby Loss Awareness Week. All the activities are designed to open up conversations about pregnancy and baby loss in local neighbourhoods, workplaces and community spaces.

The week will draw to a close at 7pm on 15 October when candles for all our babies gone too soon are left burning for one hour during the global Wave of Light, with many joining together online, creating a trending moment of connection and collective remembrance across the UK.

The theme for Baby Loss Awareness Week (BLAW) 2024 is ‘Together, we care’ and acknowledges that finding ways to nurture your mental and physical wellbeing is a vital part of anyone’s bereavement journey.

Chief Executive of Sands, and Chair of the Baby Loss Awareness Alliance, Clea Harmer said: “Baby Loss Awareness Week helps to unite the pregnancy and baby loss community; we come together and speak out across the week to increase understanding of the impact of loss, and remember all babies.

“Few experiences can compare to the trauma and pain of pregnancy and baby loss. During this Baby Loss Awareness Week, we will acknowledge that finding ways to nurture your mental and physical wellbeing is a vital part of anyone’s bereavement journey.

“Together, we care for ourselves and each other as part of a community of people affected by all forms of pregnancy and baby loss. Self-care is essential, so you can sustain yourself and be able to raise awareness in a way that’s right for you.”

An initiative started by a group of parents 22 years ago, Baby Loss Awareness Week has now evolved into an Alliance of over 130 dedicated pregnancy and baby loss organisations led by Sands, Tommy’s, Bliss, The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust, The Lullaby Trust, and The Miscarriage Association. It also plays a crucial role in raising awareness of the importance of ongoing bereavement support and the essential work required to improve pregnancy outcomes and save babies’ lives.

This Baby Loss Awareness Week, the Alliance will be encouraging people to ask their local MPs to give their support to the All Party Parliamentary Group on Baby Loss, which brings together MPs and Peers from across parties. Its aims are to develop policy that supports families dealing with the grief of baby loss, and to prevent it happening in the first place. It aims to raise awareness of what more can be done by the government, Parliament or other agencies to help those affected, and reduce the risk of baby loss.

Clea Harmer said: “The growth of Baby Loss Awareness Week is incredible. Every year we see more friends, family, colleagues and businesses join in with activities in allyship with those directly impacted by pregnancy loss or the death of a baby. We want everyone to ‘share with care’ and this year we’re encouraging those brilliant businesses, organisations, landmarks and buildings that light up, or turn pink and blue, during Baby Loss Awareness Week, to join us in explaining why they are doing so and signpost help and advice. On behalf of the Alliance, I say a huge thank you to everyone helping us to have those important conversations about loss in compassionate ways.”

Advice on looking after yourself or others after pregnancy or baby loss

Whether you’re someone who has experienced loss, a family member, friend or healthcare professional, we want you to know this Alliance stands together with you. Here are our tops tips for managing the week:

• Pick and choose how you want to support. Don’t feel you have to do everything
• Plan some activities that are special to you that week
• Make space for self-care during the week. We will be talking a lot about this during the week
• Turn off notifications and online check social media when you feel up for it
• Reach out for support if you need it. We are here.
• Let friends and family know your boundaries, so they understand it’s okay if you don’t engage
• Engage with content that brings you comfort or joy. Remember, choosing not to participate does not take away from your experience. Your healing and well-being come first.

The Miscarriage Association has also published a blog post about ‘Taking care of yourself this Baby Loss Awareness Week’.

Stories of pregnancy and baby loss

There are many stories of pregnancy and baby loss on the Baby Loss Awareness Week website and anyone who wishes to can share theirs by completing an online form.

Maria was 18-years-old when she had to give birth to her first daughter Laura in 1988, despite knowing that her daughter had died in the womb. Now, she helps other bereaved parents and families cope with their losses as a Sands volunteer Befriender. Maria has also been creating a ribbon display in Clacton on Sea since 2019 to mark Baby Loss Awareness Week. Maria said: “It’s a lovely way to remember. It gets people talking and once you see it you can’t just walk past it. Some people add balloons and all sorts of things, and teddies that local companies have sponsored. It gives them a sense of closeness to their baby by adding a ribbon to the display. Families have somewhere to go, and just to visit it and see it is beautiful.”

Rachel had little understanding of an ectopic pregnancy until she found herself being given the devasting news.³ Rachel said: “I had heard the words ectopic pregnancy a few times but never truly understood the meaning until I was having ‘the chat’ with the nurse about what they suspected I was going through. I was handed leaflets from The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust and sat reading stories of other people, trying to make sense of the situation. I’m grateful that I had a place to turn but I think it’s still so sad how much of a taboo subject pregnancy loss is.”

Many of the charities that support Baby Loss Awareness Week will be sharing stories of people who have experienced bereavement and found ways to cope with their loss and build a life around their grief. Follow #BLAW to find these stories on social media.

Baby Loss Awareness Week activities across the UK

Throughout the Week, landmarks and buildings across the UK will be lit up pink and blue – the colours of Baby Loss Awareness Week – and people will be holding remembrance events and creating ribbon displays in their hometowns to help raise awareness of the impact of pregnancy and baby loss, remember much-loved babies and open up conversations around this issue.

Major buildings and landmarks lighting up Pink and Blue include:

• Heathrow Airport (Terminal 2 building),
• Joseph Chamberlain Memorial Clock Tower, Birmingham,
• Lerwick Town Hall, Shetland Islands,
• St Magnus Cathedral, Orkney Islands,
• St Michaels Mount, Marazion,
• Smeaton’s Tower, Plymouth,
• Derg Castle, Castlederg Northern Ireland,
• Spinnaker Tower, Portsmouth.

The Baby Loss Awareness Week website lists a wide range of organisations that provide support booklets and resources, signposting to different types of support, as well as resources for health professionals working with and supporting bereaved families.

Baby Loss Awareness Week will culminate in a global Wave of Light at 7pm on 15 October. This is a special time when everyone is invited, wherever they are in the world, to light a candle at 7pm local time as a special mark of support and remembrance for all babies that have died, and pregnancies lost. Anyone can join a digital Wave of Light from 7pm on 15 October by posting a photo of their candle to Instagram, Facebook or Twitter with the hashtag #WaveOfLight.

For more information visit: babyloss-awareness.org and follow #BLAW on social media.