Honoring the Tiny Lives That Changed Us: Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month

October is a month of gentle remembrance- a time to honor the tiny lives that left footprints on our hearts. For many, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month offers space to pause, reflect, and say the names of babies who are deeply loved yet no longer held.

On October 15th, families and communities around the world participate in the Wave of Light, lighting candles at 7 p.m. to create a continuous glow of remembrance spanning time zones. Each flicker represents a story- a hope, a heartbeat, a dream- and together they illuminate the shared experience of loss and love.

Pregnancy and infant loss are often carried in silence. The world moves quickly, but grief moves slowly. It lingers in unexpected moments- in a lullaby never sung, a date circled on the calendar, a quiet pause when seeing another’s baby. For those who have experienced loss, this month is not just about remembering; it’s about recognizing that your grief matters, your story matters, and your baby’s life matters.

Grief, though heavy, is an expression of love. It can coexist with healing, hope, and even joy. There is no timeline for navigating it, no single right way to honor your journey. For some, healing comes through ritual- lighting a candle, writing a letter, planting a tree, or creating art that gives shape to what words cannot express. For others, it’s found in connection- sharing your story with someone who listens without trying to fix it, or joining a community that understands.

If you’re looking for a gentle way to explore your emotions and honor your loss, I created a reflective resource called Grief & Love: A Guided Journal After Pregnancy Loss, available through the Perinatal Wellness Academy. This guided journal offers prompts and compassionate reflections to help you navigate grief and find small moments of peace as you move toward healing.

As we move through this month, may we hold space for all who carry invisible losses. Whether the loss was recent or many years ago, whether it was acknowledged by others or held quietly in the heart, you are not alone.

At Perinatal Wellness Academy, we honor your stories, your memories, and your ongoing journey of love. Together, in remembrance and in light, we honor the tiny lives that changed us forever.