Skip to content

Top Navigation

Parents Parents
  • GETTING PREGNANT
  • PREGNANCY
  • BABY NAMES
  • BABY
  • TODDLER
  • BIG KID
  • FUN
  • HEALTH
  • PARENTING
  • FOOD
  • HOLIDAY
  • News & Trends
  • Raising the Future
  • OUR MAGAZINES
  • Podcasts
  • Kindred
  • MORE

Profile Menu

Join Now

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Cozi Family Organizer this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout
My Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Cozi Family Organizer this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Pin FB

Explore Parents

Parents Parents
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 22 Chore Ideas for Every Type of Kid

      22 Chore Ideas for Every Type of Kid

      Find a chore your kid loves to do, and start a habit of wanting to help out that'll last a lifetime. Read More Next
    • Top 5 Mom Friend Problems—And How to Fix Them

      Top 5 Mom Friend Problems—And How to Fix Them

      Parenting is so much easier with good pals. Learn to overcome friendship hurdles and bond with women who get you. Read More Next
    • How to Sleep Train Toddlers and Big Kids

      How to Sleep Train Toddlers and Big Kids

      Do you struggle to put your kiddo to bed—or keep them there? Read on to find out how to sleep train toddlers, preschoolers, and big kids. Read More Next
  • GETTING PREGNANT

    GETTING PREGNANT

    See All GETTING PREGNANT
    Your Chances of Getting Pregnant, During Every Phase of Your Cycle

    Your Chances of Getting Pregnant, During Every Phase of Your Cycle

    When sex coincides with your most fertile days, your chances of getting pregnant increase. Get to know each phase of your cycle to help you conceive (or avoid) a pregnancy.
    • Ovulation
    • Reproductive Age
    • Maximizing Your Fertility
    • Pre-Pregnancy Health
    • Trying to Conceive
    • Dealing With Infertility
    • Genetics
  • PREGNANCY

    PREGNANCY

    See All PREGNANCY
    9 Signs That Labor Is Approaching

    9 Signs That Labor Is Approaching

    Anxiously awaiting your baby’s arrival? Learn to recognize the signs of approaching labor, which signal that your little one might make an appearance soon.
    • Signs of Pregnancy
    • Pregnancy Week-by-Week
    • Giving Birth
    • Labor & Delivery
    • Pregnancy Symptoms
    • Due Date Calculator
    • Pregnancy Complications
    • Fetal Development
    • Gender Prediction
    • Baby Showers
  • BABY NAMES

    BABY NAMES

    See All BABY NAMES
    These Baby Names Are Predicted to Be Popular in 2022

    These Baby Names Are Predicted to Be Popular in 2022

    From Bridgerton to travel destinations, learn what's inspiring the baby name trends of 2022.
    • Baby Girl Names
    • Most Popular Names
    • Names by Origin
    • Twin Names
    • Baby Boy Names
    • Names by Religion
    • Celebrity Baby Names
  • BABY

    BABY

    See All BABY
    How to Decode Your Baby's Cough

    How to Decode Your Baby's Cough

    Caring for a baby with a wet or dry cough? Listen for wheezing, hacking, or barking first, then read on to find out what's normal and when it's time to worry.
    • Newborn Care
    • Crying Baby
    • Health
    • Baby Development
    • Safety
    • Gear
    • Breastfeeding
    • Diapers
    • Sleep Issues
    • Feeding
    • Nursery
  • TODDLER

    TODDLER

    See All TODDLER
    • Preschool Activities
    • Behavior & Discipline
    • Toddler Development
    • Milestones
    • Potty Training
    • Starting School
    • Health
    • Safety
    • Childcare
  • BIG KID

    BIG KID

    See All BIG KID
    How to Deal With Bullies: A Guide for Parents

    How to Deal With Bullies: A Guide for Parents

    Mean kids aren't just a middle-school problem. The trouble has trickled to the youngest grades. Learn how to spot it—and how to protect children of all ages from bullies at school.
    • Education
    • Health
    • Food & Nutrition
    • Bullying & School Problems
    • Child Development
    • Safety
    • Manners & Responsibility
  • FUN

    FUN

    See All FUN
    17 Budget-Friendly Kids' Birthday Party Ideas

    17 Budget-Friendly Kids' Birthday Party Ideas

    A fun celebration doesn't need to cost a pretty penny. Throw a memorable bash with these clever cost-cutting kids' birthday party ideas.
    • Birthdays
    • Indoor Activities
    • Outdoor Activities
    • Arts & Crafts
    • Printable Coloring Pages
    • Kids' Entertainment
    • Best Toys
    • Holidays
    • Family Vacation Ideas
  • HEALTH

    HEALTH

    See All HEALTH
    All About Coronavirus COVID-19: A Concerned Parent's Guide

    All About Coronavirus COVID-19: A Concerned Parent's Guide

    Here’s everything you need to know about the disease that originated in Wuhan, China.
    • ADD & ADHD
    • Allergies
    • Autism
    • Cold & Flu
    • Coronavirus and COVID-19
    • Cough
    • Down Syndrome
    • Emergency Aid
    • Fever
    • Medication & Vitamins
    • Obesity
    • Rashes
    • Stomach Aches
    • Vaccines
  • PARENTING

    PARENTING

    See All PARENTING
    The Stay at Home Guide for Parents

    The Stay at Home Guide for Parents

    Everything you need to thrive at home as a family.
    • Positive Parenting
    • Parenting Style
    • Celebrity Parents
    • Family Dynamics
    • Divorce
    • Home
    • Adoption
    • Just for Mom
    • Money
    • Toy Recalls
    • Stroller Recalls
    • Moms Run the World
    • The Stay at Home Guide
  • FOOD

    FOOD

    See All FOOD
    • Family Recipes
    • Baby Food
    • Toddler Finger Food Recipes
    • Hints & Tips
    • Healthy Eating
    • Birthdays
    • Holiday Recipes
    • Quick & Easy Meals
    • Food For Pregnant Women
  • HOLIDAY

    HOLIDAY

    See All HOLIDAY
    44 Fun Valentine's Day Crafts for Kids, Preschoolers, and Toddlers

    44 Fun Valentine's Day Crafts for Kids, Preschoolers, and Toddlers

    Spend an afternoon making these Valentine's Day cards, decorations, and edible projects. Bonus: Each one can double as a homemade gift for someone special!
    • Christmas
    • New Year's
    • Valentine's Day
    • Easter
    • Mother's Day
    • Memorial Day
    • Father's Day
    • 4th of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Hanukkah
  • News & Trends
  • Raising the Future
  • OUR MAGAZINES

    OUR MAGAZINES

    See All OUR MAGAZINES
    • Parents
    • Parents Latina
    • Ser Padres
  • Podcasts

    Podcasts

    • We Are Family Podcast
    • That New Mom Life Podcast
    • Pregnancy Confidential Podcast
  • Kindred
  • MORE

    MORE

    • Newsletters
    • Contests
    • #ParentsIRL
    • Adulting
    • First Year Playbook
    • Celebrate Your Way

Profile Menu

Join Now

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Cozi Family Organizer this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout
My Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Cozi Family Organizer this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Home
  2. Pregnancy
  3. Pregnancy Complications
  4. Miscarriage
  5. 7 Beautiful Ways to Honor Your Angel Baby After Loss

7 Beautiful Ways to Honor Your Angel Baby After Loss

By Melissa Willets January 29, 2018
Skip gallery slides
Pin
Credit: Photo: Ashley Opliger, President/Bridget's Mommy, Bridget's Cradles
Here's how parents who have lost babies due to miscarriage, stillbirth, or illness are honoring the sweet souls they will never forget.
Start Slideshow

1 of 7

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
stephanie-honor-nico-1.jpg
Credit: Photo: Stephanie Staehle

Mom Stephanie Staehle says, "I honor my angel baby Nico every day by watching his twin Theo grow and flourish into such a bright and happy boy."

Baby elephants have come to symbolize Nico. "Every time we come across [one], we see it as Nico saying 'hi' to us from heaven."

This is a picture of two elephants above Theo's crib. Staehle says, "I always imagine it's Nico watching over him from above."

1 of 7

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 7

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
honoring-cara.jpg
Credit: Photo: Melissa Willets

Melissa Willets and her family honor baby Cara each day. This photo shows the bracelet Willets wears with Cara's name on it, "So I always know she's with me." The bracelet was a gift from a friend, and "Was given to me on a day I needed reassurance my angel baby was by my side. I receive signs all the time that she watches over our family, and feel a deep, lasting connection to her, for which I feel so grateful."

2 of 7

3 of 7

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
tatum-angel-baby.jpg
Credit: Photo: Jami Bradley

Jami Bradley's sweet daughter Tatum Bree had Trisomy 18, also called Edward's Syndrome. After her birth, the mama says, "They took her down to the NICU where I sat with her. As the machines started beeping the nurse gave her to me and said, 'you don't have much time.'"

Since her passing, Bradley honors Tatum by asking family and friends to walk in her local March for Dimes walk. "We all wear our t-shirts with her name on them. That brings some much joy to my heart."

3 of 7

Advertisement

4 of 7

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
boxedbereavement-resize.jpg
Credit: Photo: Hand to Hold

Hand to Hold pairs experienced preemie parents with NICU families in need of support. The nonprofit organization also aids parents facing pregnancy and infant loss. Claire Brown, MSW, and Program Manager of Hand to Hold, explained the Bereavement Bead offered to families who have suffered a loss. "It is always a very emotional exchange and, more often than not, they express to me how much it means that I am acknowledging their child's life and their loss. So often society is quick to move forward and forget that a life (and a love) was lost to this family."

4 of 7

5 of 7

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
picsart_01-23-11.08.28.jpg
Credit: Photo: Samantha Idle

Samantha Idle's daughter Trinity Leigh passed when she was born 15 weeks to soon. "She weighted [just] 11.4 ounces and was 10-inches long."

To honor Trinity, Idle and her family walk and raise money for the March for Babies. "Our family team name is Team Trinity and this May will be our 13th walk," she says. "We love that our family and friends join us to remember our daughter."

Idle adds, "We walk and raise money so one day all babies will be born full-term and healthy. On our team shirts, we list all babies gone to soon; all the kiddos who fought so hard against prematurity and birth defects as well as the names of full-term siblings. We also light a candle for Trinity and all babies gone to soon, on October 15."

5 of 7

6 of 7

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
diana-stone.jpg
Credit: Photo: Kristine Garcia Photography

Diana, editor-in-chief of Still Standing and blogger at Diana Wrote, lost three sons shortly after birth.

A tattoo on Diana's arm honors twins Preston and Julian, who were born at 20 weeks. The tiny footprints are the actual size of one of the twin's feet. The broken heartbeat represents Kaden, who was born a year after Preston and Julian.

"When [Kaden] was 4 days old, his checkout exam revealed cardiomyopathy," Diana says. "The cause was found to be a rare, mostly-unknown virus called ciHHV-6. He died in [my] arms at 3 weeks old."

Diana further explains the tattoo: "My dad wrote his name, and the colors represent how [Kaden] was supposed to be our rainbow baby." She and her husband also have two daughters.

6 of 7

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 7

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
bridgetduedate-18.jpg
Credit: Photo: Ashley Opliger, President/Bridget's Mommy, Bridget's Cradles

Ashley Opliger's daughter Bridget Faith was stillborn in 2014. "My mother had knit a special cradle for Bridget after my husband and I learned that preterm labor and stillbirth were likely outcomes," she says.

"When Bridget was born, weighing only 13 ounces, she was so tiny and fragile that it was difficult to see her and feel her swaddled in a traditional hospital blanket," Opliger explained. With the special cradle, "We were able to see Bridget, feel her weight, and bond with her during the short time we had with her."

The experience prompted Opliger to found the nonprofit organization Bridget's Cradles, which provides cradles and prayer squares to over 470 hospitals in all 50 states.

"Running solely on donations and the time and talents of unpaid knitting/crocheting, sewing, and administrative volunteers, our organization provides knitted and crocheted cradles free-of-charge to labor and delivery units nationwide, to offer to bereaved families who have lost babies in the second trimester of pregnancy," Opliger explains. She adds, "Bridget's Cradles has been a special and important way for me to not only honor Bridget's life and memory, but to comfort other grieving families at the time of their loss."

7 of 7

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Melissa Willets

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 7
    2 of 7
    3 of 7
    4 of 7
    5 of 7
    6 of 7
    7 of 7

    Share & More

    Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
    Parents

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • About Us
    • Customer Service this link opens in a new tab
    • Cozi Family Organizer this link opens in a new tab
    • Advertise this link opens in a new tab
    • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
    • From Our Sponsors this link opens in a new tab
    • Affiliate Program this link opens in a new tab
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Follow Us
    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    Sign Up
    MeredithParents.com is part of the Parents Network. © Copyright 2022 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Parents. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.parents.com

    Sign in

    View image

    7 Beautiful Ways to Honor Your Angel Baby After Loss
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.