If you've experienced pregnancy or baby loss, you may have come across the term "rainbow baby" — perhaps from other bereaved parents, a support group, or on social media. It's a term that carries a great deal of meaning for many families, and one that can feel both comforting and complicated.
This guide explains what a rainbow baby is, where the term comes from, and how families choose to mark this significant milestone.
What Is a Rainbow Baby?
A rainbow baby is a baby born after a pregnancy or infant loss. The name comes from the idea of a rainbow appearing after a storm — a symbol of hope and beauty that follows a period of darkness and grief.
The loss that precedes a rainbow baby might be a miscarriage, a stillbirth, a neonatal death, or any other form of pregnancy or infant loss. There is no specific timeframe or type of loss required — if you lost a baby and then welcomed another, that baby is your rainbow.
Where Did the Term Come From?
The term "rainbow baby" emerged organically within bereaved parent communities, particularly online, in the early 2000s. It has since become widely used and recognised, offering families a shared language to describe an experience that can be difficult to put into words.
Not all families choose to use the term, and that is completely valid. Some find it deeply meaningful; others prefer not to define their child in relation to loss. Both responses are entirely understandable.
The Complicated Emotions of a Rainbow Pregnancy
Expecting a rainbow baby is rarely straightforward. Many parents describe feeling caught between joy and anxiety — desperately wanting to celebrate, while also carrying the weight of their previous loss and the fear of losing again.
These feelings are completely normal. Grief does not disappear when a new pregnancy begins. Many bereaved parents find it helpful to acknowledge both realities: the hope that a new baby brings, and the ongoing love and grief for the baby who was lost.
If you are currently pregnant after a loss, organisations like Tommy's and Sands offer specific support for pregnancy after loss.
Honouring Both Babies
One of the most important things many rainbow baby parents want to express is that their rainbow baby does not replace the baby they lost. Both babies are loved. Both are remembered.
Many families find ways to honour both — keeping a memorial keepsake for the baby they lost, while also celebrating the arrival of their rainbow. Our handcrafted baby loss hearts are chosen by many families for exactly this reason: a lasting, beautiful tribute to the baby who came before, sitting alongside the joy of the baby who arrived after.
Each heart contains a tiny baby figure shaped to reflect the gestation week of the loss — a deeply personal detail that makes it a truly individual memorial.
What About a "Sunshine Baby"?
You may also hear the term "sunshine baby" — this refers to a baby born before a loss. Just as sunshine precedes a storm, a sunshine baby is the child who came before the grief. Some families find this term helpful in acknowledging all of their children.
Marking Your Rainbow Baby's Arrival
There is no right or wrong way to celebrate a rainbow baby. Some families choose to mark the occasion quietly and privately; others want to share their joy widely. Some incorporate a nod to the baby they lost — a candle, a keepsake, or a moment of remembrance alongside the celebration.
Whatever feels right for your family is the right choice.
If you are looking for a way to honour the baby you lost as you welcome your rainbow, we are here to help. Browse our memorial hearts or get in touch — we understand the weight and the beauty of what you are carrying.
Your baby is remembered. Your rainbow is celebrated.