What Is a Rainbow Baby: Rainbow Baby Meaning
Rainbow baby is a miracle that happens to couples that has suffered a child loss at some point of their life.
You must have seen beautiful baby pictures on Instagram or Pinterest or any other social media that the baby is draped in rainbow color T-shirts/clothes and even the mother is expressing her gratitude by welcoming the rainbow baby by wearing rainbow type of clothes and other memorabilia.
But we never really understood what they were talking about. What exactly is a “rainbow baby”?
WHAT IS A RAINBOW BABY?
A rainbow baby is a baby born shortly after the loss of a previous baby due to miscarriage, stillbirth or death in infancy. This term is given to these special rainbow babies because a rainbow typically follows a storm, giving us hope of what’s to come.
Having a baby soon after losing one brings a slew of emotions, and many rainbow moms will tell you not all are positive emotions. Many mothers who’ve weathered the loss and gone on to have another baby feel a tremendous sense of self-doubt and guilt at times. They fear others will think they’ve gotten over their previous loss, or that they’ve moved on or replaced their baby. They fear having a rainbow baby after stillbirth in some way dishonors their baby who has passed, and that the joy of the next baby will prevent them from properly grieving.
But a rainbow baby doesn’t mean your loss should be forgotten. Rather, your rainbow baby will carry the torch of the love you will always have for the child you lost, and when you hold that precious baby in your arms, you’ll fully understand the meaning of the term. The beautiful rainbow baby stories told by rainbow moms are triumphant tales of renewal and healing, with their underlying emotions ranging from bittersweet happiness to overwhelming joy.
Allowing space for mixed emotions with a rainbow baby
Rainbow pregnancies are often emotionally complex and involve feelings of grief and guilt along with relief, excitement, and elation.
It’s important to process emotions by enlisting your partner’s support, consulting medical professionals, and connecting with others who have experienced loss.
Women who have experienced infant loss are at an increased risk for postpartum depression and anxiety. You can work with a counselor or mental health professional to get the help and care you need if this time is difficult.
While it might feel impossible to ever fully recover emotionally from the pain and grief of losing your baby, there are resources available to help.
How to Support Your Partner
If your partner is the one who has gone through a loss and is now pregnant with a rainbow baby, it’s important to maintain an open line of communication throughout the pregnancy. The loss was still yours, too, and it’s healthy to discuss how the loss of the pregnancy may have affected you—and how you are feeling now.