What is a Rainbow Baby

While the term rainbow baby may not be familiar to those without children, or those who have never been through the pain of losing one, it holds a major significance for those who have. But exactly what is a rainbow baby? What makes them so special and what do they symbolise for people who have suffered a great loss?

What is a rainbow baby?

For those of you who are fortunate enough to not know, a rainbow baby is the name given to a healthy baby who is born after previously losing a baby due to infant loss, miscarriage, neonatal death, or stillbirth.

What is a rainbow baby symbolic of?

The bittersweet reason behind why they are called rainbow babies is because, after a storm, a rainbow appears in the sky. After weathering something so turbulent and dark such as the loss of a pregnancy (or baby), there is renewed hope in the form of a beautiful, healthy baby. The term has become hugely popular on social media and blogs over the past few years and has come to represent healing and renewed hope. It so beautifully captures and acknowledges the loss of the babies, while also celebrating the tremendous amount of joy that a new baby brings.

Why are rainbow babies so special?

While rainbow babies bring great happiness to people after enduring some physical and emotional duress, they also serve as treasured reminders, and that in itself can bring a new wave of sadness. Being blessed with a healthy baby doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take the time to grieve and you should always find ways to remember the child you lost. When your rainbow baby is old enough, it may be hugely comforting to share your story with them. You can create your own ways to remember the loss of your previous baby, such as planting a tree together in your back garden or creating a flower garden for them. This space of remembrance will help you heal, after all this is what rainbow babies symbolise. Remind them of this and let them know just how special they are to you.

How you can monitor your rainbow baby?

Not that you know the answer to what is a rainbow baby, it goes without saying that finding out you are once again with child after having lost one, is an equally exciting yet unnerving experience. Speak to your doctor and find out exactly what tests they can administer and how they can best monitor your baby. Extra precautions and careful monitoring will give you the peace of mind you need to know that your rainbow baby is developing safely.

While the doctor may be the most knowledgable in this department, it is important for you to monitor your baby as well. One of the easiest ways to do this is by counting their kicks. At around 28 weeks, you can begin to count their kicks, learning to recognise what is normal for your baby. If you experience a change in the third trimester, this can often be among the first signs that your baby is in distress. You must immediately alert your doctor if you notice any changes or even if you just feel concerned about your baby’s movements.

Experiencing anxiety and how to overcome it

While some people may find comfort in counting kicks and carefully monitoring their baby, for others, this may not be enough. Experiencing anxiety is extremely common among mothers potentially carrying a rainbow baby and you may need to find other ways to overcome this feeling.

Reach out to family members, friends or even join a support group. Spending time with people who have experienced the same loss and understand what you’re going through can be hugely comforting for some people. If this doesn’t sound like something you would like to participate in, then you can always find peace in speaking with a mental health professional or a counsellor. Talking about such a heartbreaking experience and asking what is a rainbow baby can be very cathartic.

Alternatively, you could always start journaling. Putting pen to paper and writing down exactly how you are feeling is also hugely therapeutic for some mothers. It is just a question of finding out what works best for you and what brings you the most amount of solace. Above all though, just remember to take care of yourself. It has been proven that stress and postpartum depression can have a negative impact on the development of the baby, so make sure to prioritise your own feelings and needs above all else.

How to support someone carrying a rainbow baby

Whether it is your friend or your partner who is experiencing a rainbow baby, there are many ways you can help them. It is natural for a lot of people to feel nervous or potentially awkward about reaching out to someone who has experienced the loss of a baby. There is no reason to feel this way. Maintaining an open line of communication and helping out wherever possible is vital. Even if this just means doing their weekly shopping run, or offering to give them a pedicure or even something as simple as holding their hand when they feel stressed. There is no gesture too small when it comes to helping someone who is carrying a rainbow baby.

While some mothers would prefer to keep the pregnancy low-key, others may find joy in a photoshoot, more specifically a rainbow baby photoshoot. Now, what is a rainbow baby photoshoot exactly? First off, there are photographers who specialise in such things and who are sensitive to the experiences of families with rainbow babies. They are highly skilled in orchestrating meaningful ways to honour the baby you have lost, while simultaneously celebrating the beauty of your new rainbow baby.