Baby Loss Awareness Week (9th–15th October) is a time for people across the pregnancy and baby loss communities, and beyond, to come together, remember much-loved and missed babies, reflect on experiences of loss in whatever way feels right, and raise awareness of pregnancy and baby loss.
From an initiative started by a group of parents 24 years ago, Baby Loss Awareness Week has grown into today’s Alliance of over 130 dedicated pregnancy and baby loss organisations led by Sands, Tommy’s, The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust, The Lullaby Trust, and Miscarriage UK (formerly known as The Miscarriage Association).
If you are looking to cover pregnancy and baby loss during October, please get in touch with your ideas and requests so we can do our best to find compelling real stories and expert contributors.
The week is anchored around the theme ‘Together we care’, focusing on ways to look after yourself and people you know touched by pregnancy and baby loss. The Alliance is supporting everyone getting involved with the week to ‘Wear, Share, Care’ so they can be thoughtful allies during Baby Loss Awareness Week and ensure everyone affected knows they are not alone and can get the support they need.
The Baby Loss Awareness Week Alliance of charities is encouraging everyone to wear a BLAW pin badge, charm, or to turn pink and blue their own way, and to share why they are doing this during #BLAW – on social media or with family, friends and colleagues. The charities also want everyone to know there are many organisations here to care for and support anyone who needs it in the run up, during, and after the campaign.
Parents and families 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 and experiences this Baby Loss Awareness Week.
Throughout the week people will be putting up ribbon displays, knitting post box toppers, painting pebbles with their babies’ names or dates important to them, 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.
Baby Loss Awareness Week will draw to a close at 7pm on 15th 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.
Stories of pregnancy and baby loss
There are many stories of pregnancy and baby loss on the baby loss awareness website. 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 local communities to help raise awareness of the impact of pregnancy and baby loss, remember much-loved babies and open up conversations around this issue.
The Baby Loss Awareness Week website lists a wide range of organisations that provide a whole range of support, from booklets and leaflets to online groups and help lines, as well as resources and training for health professionals working with and supporting bereaved families.
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