How do you cope with the loss of a baby? Who do you turn to? Your partner? Parents? Friends? Religion?
There are some things too painful and too deep to vocalise. And many bereaved parents just simply don't know who to go to. How do you share your grief with someone who's struggling to deal with it themselves?
We've seen a movement lately on social media which we think is rather beautiful. The picture sharing began in aid of Baby Loss Awareness Week on 9 - 15 October 2014, to raise awareness of parents who've lost a baby during pregnancy, at birth or afterwards, and has continued ever since.
Kym suffered a stillbirth when she was pregnant with her third child.
Most recently, Coronation Street star, Kym Marsh, who lost her third child - a baby boy named Archie - when he was born 21 weeks prematurely in February 2009, has shared her #LightACandle tribute to the baby boy she never got to know:
Images: Twitter/@msm4rsh
Unfortunately, even in this day and age, the UK still sees a persistently high stillbirth rate where far too many parents never get to see their babies' first smile or hear them speak their first word.
The below is a selection of images shared by parents, friends and family who've suffered the injustice of losing a child and lit a candle for their baby, creating a wave of light to remember all those lost children. We think you'll agree the result is simply breathtaking. Twitter, Facebook and Instagram came alive with parents' candle-lit tributes, in the knowledge that thousands of other parents out there were doing the same.
See the images below and spare a thought for the parents who've experienced such a tragic loss.
'We will always remember Erik Jr. #littleangelbaby #neverforgotten #lightacandle #remember'
Picture by @ejsmith250/Instagram
For my sweet friend Jen. Love you girl #October15th #Pregnancy&InfancyLossRemembranceDay #lightacandle
Picture by @imadreamer89/Twitter
I burn this candle in memory of my son Colton Avery Parslow, and for every other baby born into the arms of the angels. My heart breaks as I scroll through #WaveOfLight and see just how many people have been affected by pregnancy and infancy loss. It's time to break the silence. Keep the memory of our babies alive. #iwillrememberyou #ColtonAvery #PregnancyAndInfantLoss #October15 #lightacandle #AngelMom #MySonHasWings #31614
Picture by @zim.316/Instagram
International day for lost infants. Miss you Faith. #LightACandle #14643
Picture by @NoelleDexter/Twitter
I'll always remember you #pregnancyandinfantlossawareness #miscarriage #lightacandle #letitgo
Picture by @hislovechicken/Instagram
Sending light and love... #lightacandle #october15 #pregnancyandinfantlossawareness
Picture by @MothersMilkCoop/Twitter
For more information on infant loss and Baby Loss Awareness Week see here.
Where to next?
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