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.
The term rainbow baby has now been used for some time and it helps families ease their sadness from previous experiences[/caption]
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 has now been used for some time and it helps families ease their sadness from previous experiences.
The symbol of the term, the rainbow, is very important to its community and the significance of it.
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.
Often for families, the arrival of a rainbow baby is an emotional time and can bring up many conflicting feelings of happiness, grief and even guilt.
Many clinics and specialists give advice to families on how to over their emotions or feelings if they find it difficult.
The recommended advice on what things to do, can be helpful and often very simple.
For example 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 announcing a miscarriage in early 2021.
What is the difference between a rainbow baby vs an angel baby?
An angel baby is another important term in the baby loss community.
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 to 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, an angel baby is a living child before pregnancy loss.
It’s likely that the term sunshine baby came to be because of the fact that parents who’ve experienced a loss may see the children birthed before the loss a little differently now.
Sunshine itself is a symbol of optimism and vitality, and can also express the calm before the storm.