Baby Loss Awareness Week – Let's break the silence around baby loss

Welcome to Baby Loss Awareness Week 2021

Baby Loss Awareness Week (9-15 Oct) is now in its 19th year.

 

Baby Loss Awareness Week is a wonderful opportunity to bring us together as a community and give anyone touched by pregnancy and baby loss a safe and supportive space to share their experiences and feel that they are not alone.

 

This year our theme is Wellbeing and we will be exploring what this means to people from all walks of life who have been affected by pregnancy and baby loss.

 

We recognise that health workers, who have been under immense pressure during the pandemic, can only look after bereaved families with empathy and kindness if they themselves are supported, and we are here for them too.

 

Each day during #BLAW2021 we’re sharing our thoughts on the daily topic, tips on looking after your wellbeing, and real life stories of pregnancy and baby loss. Keep up to date with our latest news.

 

Parents and families tell us how important it is that they each find a way to remember their baby in a way that suits them. Some join with others at special services organised by their local hospital or a local support organisation, some find solace in events organised by their faith community while others will remember alone in a way unique to them. It is important to remember there is no right or wrong way and it can change as the years pass too.

 

During last year’s #WaveOfLight messages of remembrance and hope brought many people together. Take care of yourselves and know that we are here for you now and throughout the year. You are not alone.

Our daily topics for Baby Loss Awareness Week 2021

 

Each day during Baby Loss Awareness Week 2021 we will be exploring a different topic and we want to hear from you, whatever your experience of loss may be, about how you’ve coped, what helped (and what didn’t) so we can all learn how to better look after each other as a community and know how to get the right kind of support when we need it.

 

Saturday 9 October

Introduction to the week and the theme of wellbeing

 

Sunday 10

Looking after yourself

 

Monday 11

Looking after those who provide care and support and those on the frontline

 

Tuesday 12

Looking after siblings (children and adults)

 

Wednesday 13

Looking after partners

 

Thursday 14

Looking after each other as a community (including the workplace)

 

Friday 15

Remembering your baby and Wave of Light

 

Your Stories

“Nobody knows how baby loss will affect them, and sadly the pain doesn’t just go away.”

“They gave us time we needed and offered support to help us cope.”

“Just know that you are NOT alone. ”

“We will never ever forget Freya; I see her in her sister and brother every day.”

“Like lots of other people in this sad situation, acknowledgement was what we were seeking and to those who gave that and asked about our babies and our experiences, I will always be grateful.”

More ways to get involved

Break the silence

Talk about pregnancy and baby loss and help ensure that every bereaved family gets the support they need. You can also help raise awareness by wearing our ribbon pin badge.

Take part in events across the UK

From Pink & Blue buildings and landmarks to ribbon remembrance events and hospital displays, find out what’s on in your community and show your support.

Make a difference

This year, we will be calling on national governments to take further action to prevent pregnancy and baby deaths, so watch this space for how to get involved.

Join the global #WaveOfLight

Unite with bereaved families across the world by lighting a candle at 7pm on 15 October in memory of all babies that died. Post a photo of your candle to appear on the social wall.

Baby Loss Awareness Alliance Members