What is a Rainbow Baby?
It’s a question I get ask a lot, “What is a Rainbow Baby?”. Since I get asked about what is a Rainbow Baby so often, I thought this little Rainbow Baby’s photography session showcase was a great time to exactly what is a Rainbow Baby. And to also explain why they are so special and celebrated in the way they are.
So, what is a Rainbow Baby exactly?
A Rainbow Baby is a term often used to describe a baby born after suffering a loss. Those losses can come in many forms, and sadly they happen too often. Types of losses that can happen include miscarriages, infant loss, stillbirth, neonatal death, or the loss of an older child. A loss of any kind at any time is hard. Rainbow Babies are a little bundle of joy and light that come after the consuming darkness of a loss. Like light after a storm, they become a rainbow. A beautiful reflection into the world that makes us forget a little bit about the storm and focus on the beauty in what comes after.
What is a Rainbow Baby, and why am I just hearing more about these little ones?
A huge part of why the term Rainbow Baby is so common now is social media. In a world where we look to social media as a way to connect with others, share our stories, and seek out help and advice, being open about the devastation of a loss and the joy of a birth is something many can connect with. Studies show that 1 in 4 pregnancies end in a loss. These numbers could be higher, due to the under reporting of miscarriages. As more and more woman share their story, and take away social stigma of a loss, it becomes a tragedy that can tie many woman together in a bond that only they can understand. It really is a common bond only these families can understand.
Blogs, social media, post, National Rainbow Baby Day (August 22 each year), entertainment story lines and more are bringing more attention to how many families experience loss, along with their joy when finally having their Rainbow Baby. I know I have seen the term Rainbow Baby used more and more in social media groups like Minnesota Motherhood, and Moms of Minneapolis in recent years. The term Rainbow Baby also seems to be having a sharper rise in use, and can be seen in nursery decor, clothing, and other gifts now.
There are also a number of organizations focused on loss and rainbow babies. They include: March of Dimes, The Compassionate Friends, Infants Remembered In Silence, and more.
What is a Rainbow Baby, and why do some parents call their babies Rainbow Babies while others don’t?
Combining the sadness of a loss with the joy of a pregnancy and birth of a baby is a strange mix of emotions. While excited about the pregnancy, and feeling joy and happiness, it is common for parents of Rainbow Babies to struggle with the other side of their emotions. A pregnancy after a loss can cause anxiety, stress, and fear. It can also bring up feelings of guilt for mothers’ that blame themselves for the loss.
Each family is different. Some call their babies Rainbow Babies, while others don’t use the term. There are also families that are not familiar with the term at all. I’ve had some families that want a session almost completely done in Rainbow Baby themes, while others tell me about their Rainbow Baby journey, but so not want it included in their newborn photography session at all. There are so many emotions involved in the addition of a baby to a family after a loss, that it is important to remember that each family is doing what is best for them.
What is a Rainbow Baby, and how can I include Rainbow themes in my session?
With Rainbow Babies being a popular term now, and the fact that I love celebrating new babies with families that have had a hard road, make Rainbow props a mainstay in the studio. I have a large variety of Rainbow Baby props, that range from delicate headbands for girls to more earth town and muted rainbow baby themes for boys. Parents love the options of including these little acknowledgement of their struggle on this journey in their session.
What is a Rainbow Baby, and how can I schedule a session?
On top of regular newborn sessions that are offered at the studio, I offer a special program for Rainbow Babies. I offer a complimentary session each month for a Rainbow Baby as part of my Year of Rainbows Project. In addition to wanting to capture these sweet Rainbow Babies for their families, I also love being in a position to gift a session to a family. Many of the journeys to a Rainbow Baby are expensive ones. Some of the Rainbow Baby families that have been in the studio recently shared their IVF financial struggles, the challenge of surrogacy, and added medical testing or concerns. These types of things can add up fast, and easily make the choice between booking a newborn session or paying a bill into a decision of what is more important. If I could find a way to still have a business that pays the bills and offer free newborn photography sessions to Rainbow Babies in the Minneapolis area I would. It is such a gift to see parents adoring their Rainbow Babies at these sessions.
What is a Rainbow Baby, and how to I learn more about the Year of Rainbows Project?
To learn more about the Year of Rainbows Project at Stephanie Bennett Photography visit project page with all the details on how to nominate someone for a Year of Rainbow Project Session, either for yourself or a family member or friend. It is a great way to gift a session to someone, and allow them to document the addition to their Rainbow Baby to the session with a less of a financial burden. It is my way of gifting something to families or Rainbow Babies in Minnesota.
