Baby Loss Awareness Week 9th – 15th October 2022

According to SANDS New Zealand each year over 600 babies die between 20 weeks gestation and 12 months of age. The death of a child is a devastating event.

It is consistent throughout the literature on grief work, that the death of a child is recognised as the most severe, enduring and debilitating form of bereavement within the context of human relationships.
The death of a child is always unexpected. No parent ever thinks they could outlive their children. No parent ever expects it will happen to them. Regardless of the cause of death, most parents feel some responsibility – they weren’t able to protect their child, save their child, prevent their death, keep them safe. For all of these reasons, learning to live with the death of your child is a complex experience for parents.
For friends and relatives, there is a shared sadness which is often coupled with the anxiety of not knowing what to say. Most people want to say something comforting and uplifting, but this is probably not the time to find answers to explain why this has happened or to offer ‘quick fix’ statements aimed to cheer them up.

Download our factsheet and tips on what not to say to someone grieving the loss of their baby:

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