Talk and cry
Talking to others about your baby and your feelings of loss can help you work through your grief. You may prefer to talk to a close friend or family member, or seek out a support group of parents who have also lost their baby. Talk as often or as little as you feel you can and speak of your baby openly as a member of the family. Writing in your diary or writing letters to your baby are other avenues to express your feelings if you are finding it difficult to speak out loud. Regardless of how you manage it, talking is a vital and positive way to come to terms with your emotions. and it allows your healing to begin.
If you feel you need to, just cry. This will allow you to release your emotions in a positive way. If you’re a private person, find some time on your own when you feel you can safely do this. Try to express and deal with the various feelings as they surface rather than bottling them up.
Seek support
It’s important you have someone you can talk to during your grieving. Friends and family who provide that open support and allow you to grieve, will have a positive impact on the way you cope with your loss. If you feel as though you have to grieve in silence because your friends and family just don’t understand what you’re going through, please contact us here or join one of our online support groups. There are other understanding parents here for you every step of the way, ready to listen, acknowledge and validate your feelings.
Honour your baby
Many parents have found great comfort in finding a personal way to honour their baby. Some buy keepsakes, donate to or volunteer for a charity, donate a bear of hope to another family in honour of their baby, make quilts for other angel babies, scrapbook, For some parents reaching out to help others becomes an important part of grieving and healing. Please use our list of ideas as a source of inspiration.
Make alone time
It’s important to find the time to be alone in your own space. This allows you to work through your thoughts and emotions without distractions or pressure. Find a place you can do this comfortably, possibly during an activity you enjoy such as walking. You may wish to consider periods of meditation before or after this activity of thoughtfulness.