National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month

Categories:: Health
Tags:: Children Women
Where:: United States
Date change rule:: Every October
Holiday emoji:: 🎗️

National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month dedicates every October to supporting families who have experienced the profound grief of miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss. This month provides a crucial space for remembrance, healing, and community. Discover resources, share your story, and learn how to offer gentle support to those navigating this difficult journey.

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Expected National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month Deals

Throughout National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, the focus shifts from commercial deals to meaningful support and fundraising. Organizations like Share Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support and the Star Legacy Foundation host virtual walks, remembrance ceremonies, and donation drives to fund research and provide comfort resources. Many brands, such as Willow Tree and Etsy artisans, offer special memorial items with a portion of proceeds benefiting related charities. Look for donation-matching campaigns from corporate partners and opportunities to contribute to local support groups. We will update this page with confirmed live initiatives as October approaches.

Platform Guide for National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #PAILAwareness. Share stories of remembrance, resources for support, or comforting quotes to foster a compassionate community.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #PregnancyAndInfantLossAwareness. Join or create local support groups and share links to helpful articles or events.

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #WaveOfLight. Participate in awareness campaigns, share statistics, and advocate for better support and research for families affected by loss.

National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month Hero

Robyn Bear

Robyn Bear is recognized as a pivotal figure in establishing Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day. After experiencing the loss of her own child, she tirelessly advocated for a dedicated day of remembrance and support. Her efforts led to President Ronald Reagan's proclamation of October as National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month in 1988, creating a lasting legacy of recognition and healing for countless families.

National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month timeline

2016

50 states celebrate National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day

Spearheaded by Robyn Bear's group, "Remembering Our Babies," all 50 states have proclamations honoring National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day on October 15.

2006

The House passed the resolution

The U.S House of Representatives passed a resolution supporting National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day.

2003

The International Wave of Light

The International Wave of Light turned into an initiative as part of the campaign supporting National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. People lit candles honoring babies who died — and their families — at exactly 7PM in all time zones.

2002

The movement began

Robyn Bear, Lisa Brown and Tammy Novak came together as grieving mothers to strategize on how to secure proclamations of support from every state.

1988

President Reagan joined the cause

Reagan designated National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month an annual event taking place each October.

National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month FAQs

When is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month?

National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month runs throughout October 2026, offering a dedicated period for remembrance, support, and community for those affected by loss.

How many pregnancies end in loss each year?

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), over a million pregnancies in the United States end in miscarriages or stillbirths each year. This highlights the widespread impact of pregnancy and infant loss on families.

What is the significance of October for pregnancy and infant loss?

October was officially designated as National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month by President Ronald Reagan in 1988. This proclamation followed years of advocacy, providing a national platform for remembrance and support.

What is the significance of the pink and blue ribbon?

The pink and blue ribbon is the international symbol for pregnancy and infant loss awareness. The colors represent the traditional colors for baby girls and boys, encompassing all losses regardless of gender.

How to Observe National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month

Light candles
Every night in October, light pink and blue candles and place them in your windows. Some communities do candlelight vigils at churches or in parks. The glow of candlelight at night is a beautiful way to remember and honor.
Develop a PR campaign
October can be a tough month to squeeze in yet another remembrance event. Coordinate with friends and family to develop a press kit and strategies to get the word out about National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. Start small with a neighborhood publication and spread out from there. It's a worthy cause.
Tie ribbons around trees
Assemble your nearest and dearest and scout out trees in neighborhoods and in local parks. Tie pink and blue ribbons as a remembrance. Pass flyers out nearby spelling out why the event is important. Make everything beautiful for the babies.

4 Things To Know About pregnancy And Infant Loss Awareness

It's not celebrated everywhere
Whether you honor it as as day or an entire month, the subject of pregnancy and infant loss awareness is not observed in many non-English speaking countries.
There are many places to find support
There are a variety of groups to help parents grieve — including "Currently Pregnant After a Loss," Trying to Conceive After A Loss," and "Living Children Before and After a Loss."
Miscarriages are prevalent
It's shocking to think that with all the available technology, one in four women will miscarry.
Australia lets parents hold funerals
Australia allows parents to hold funerals or memorial services for babies born under 20 weeks old.

Why National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month is Important

A grieving mom started a movement
After Robyn Bear had six miscarriages, she realized her support system could not fully understand her loss. Eventually, Robyn teamed up with two other women to get proclamations signed supporting a day of remembrance for deceased babies and their grieving parents. The action turned into a political movement.
It helps supporters communicate sensitively
Telling a grieving parent that the baby's death is "God's will" can unwittingly sound insensitive. National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month provides resources and teaching tools to help people understand the grief process. More importantly, it guides other family members and supporters through the communication skills that can offer comfort to parents after the devastating loss of a child.
The infant is still the family's baby
Babies die from stillbirths, miscarriages, and SIDS, among other tragedies. Even though the child died in the womb or shortly after birth, the parents may have named and already bonded with the baby. It is not easy to "just get over it." Parents must learn to live with their loss. Supporters must be sensitive to the trauma by understanding that the baby already had a place in the family.