NATIONAL PREGNANCY AND INFANT LOSS REMEMBRANCE DAY

National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day

NATIONAL PREGNANCY AND INFANT LOSS REMEMBRANCE DAY

National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day on October 15th provides a day to honor and remember the lives of babies lost to miscarriage, stillbirth, SIDS, and other causes. Today, we are offering a compassionate space for parents, families, and friends to share their grief, find community, and break the silence surrounding their loss.

#PregnancyAndInfantLossRemembranceDay

The journey of pregnancy and infant loss is experienced by many, yet it is often endured in silence. With studies showing that as many as 1 in 4 pregnancies ends in loss, the grief is widespread but frequently unspoken. The experience is painful, and the emotions can be overwhelming.

National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day serves to acknowledge these precious lives, no matter how brief, and validate the profound grief felt by bereaved families. It is a day for community, for shared stories, and for the quiet understanding that comes from knowing you are not alone. By creating a day of collective remembrance, we help lift the stigma and isolation that many parents feel, allowing for a path toward healing.

HOW TO OBSERVE PREGNANCY AND INFANT LOSS REMEMBRANCE DAY

There are many ways to observe this day, whether you are grieving a personal loss or showing solidarity with loved ones.

Join the International Wave of Light

  • One of the most profound traditions on this day is the International Wave of Light. At 7:00 PM in every time zone, families around the world light a candle for one hour to remember all the babies who have died. This continuous wave of light crossing the globe symbolizes a unified vigil of remembrance and support.

Personal Acts of Remembrance

  • Say Their Name. Speaking a baby's name is a powerful way to honor their memory and affirm their existence.

  • Attend an Event. Communities across the country hold candlelight vigils, memorial walks, and other ceremonies.

  • Plant Something. A tree, a flower, or a garden can serve as a living memorial.

  • Seek or Offer Support. Visit nationalshare.org to find resources for yourself or to learn how to support others.

  • Share Online. Use #PregnancyAndInfantLossRemembranceDay to connect with the global community of remembrance.

NATIONAL PREGNANCY AND INFANT LOSS REMEMBRANCE DAY HISTORY

The movement to recognize this loss gained national attention on October 25, 1988, when President Ronald Reagan designated October as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. Building on this, the campaign for a specific day of remembrance was spearheaded in 2002 by Robyn Bear, Lisa Brown, and Tammy Novak. They petitioned the federal government and all 50 state governors.

Their efforts resulted in 20 states signing proclamations recognizing October 15, 2002, as the first observance of the day. The U.S. House of Representatives passed Concurrent Resolution H.Con.RES.222 on September 28, 2006, supporting the day's goals and ideals.

Today, all 50 states yearly proclaim the day, with eight states enacting permanent proclamations: Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, New York, Rhode Island, and South Dakota. The observance has also become global, with Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Italy joining the movement to honor these lives on October 15th.