When Heaven Cradles Our Babies: Honoring Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month

By Ivy Bagley, FNP, PMHNP, Blessed and Healthy Families

October is a month painted in soft hues of pink and blue—a time to remember the little lives that left footprints on our hearts, even if they were here for only a moment. As a Family and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, I’ve sat beside mothers and fathers who have faced the unimaginable—the loss of a child through miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant death. These are moments that words can never fully touch.

The Silent Grief Many Carry

Pregnancy and infant loss can be one of the most isolating forms of grief. It’s a quiet pain that often goes unseen, especially in a world that doesn’t always know what to say or how to respond. Parents are left holding memories instead of babies, navigating a storm of emotions—shock, sadness, guilt, anger, and a deep, aching emptiness.

Even well-meaning words like “You can try again” or “Everything happens for a reason” can unintentionally deepen that pain. What families truly need is presence, compassion, and permission to grieve openly.

Mental Health and the Journey of Healing

Grief after losing a child is not something to “get over”—it’s something to walk through, step by step. Depression, anxiety, and even post-traumatic stress can follow such loss. As a PMHNP, I encourage parents to seek help early. Therapy, medication support when needed, and gentle routines that honor both grief and self-care can bring small moments of relief.

Faith often becomes both an anchor and a question. Many parents wrestle with “Why, God?” while also holding onto the belief that their child is safe in His arms. And in that mystery, healing slowly begins—through prayer, community, and the quiet grace of time.

Honoring the Little Lives That Touched the World

Each October, we remember. We light candles, share names, release balloons, and tell stories that deserve to be told. These small acts of remembrance remind us that love never ends, even when life does.

At Blessed and Healthy Families, we stand with every parent who has experienced this loss. We see your pain, we honor your love, and we believe in the healing that comes when faith and community surround broken hearts.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” — Psalm 34:18

A Final Word

If you’ve experienced the loss of a baby, please know that your grief is sacred, your love is eternal, and your story matters. You are not alone. This October, and always, may we hold space for every parent who carries the memory of a child in their heart instead of their arms.

At Blessed and Healthy Families, we are here to support your emotional and spiritual healing—because love and faith are powerful parts of every journey toward wholeness.