If your girlfriend baby’s has died as an infant or early in her pregnancy she needs your support more than ever. These tragic losses not only affect her emotionally, but physically. Most likely her baby was greatly loved even before conception and the following pain creates an overwhelming amount of grief.
In the weeks after the loss of your friend’s baby, precious memories will be created for her to remember a child forever loved.
The suggestions are that of my own after loosing my stillborn son Tanner and hearing other stories of bereaved mothers at support groups, church functions and other experiences.
You already know your friend on an intimate level and the loss of her baby will allow you to grow even closer. It is frightening to imagine the loss of your own child, but your pain and your strength can comfort your girlfriend who needs you.
Some Suggestions to Help:
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Call her on the phone and listen to her story over and over again
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Visit her in the home
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Offer to accompany her to a support group for pregnancy and infant loss
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Have a mass or service said in honor of her child and invite her family
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Let her grieve in her way unless it is hurtful to others or herself
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Don’t be afraid to say her child’s name fearing that she may cry
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Let her and her family withdraw from baby showers, birthday parties and other festive events given by others for a length of time
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Purchase a Bible or other inspirational book to comfort her
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Purchase angel mementos or other gifts reminiscent of her baby
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Purchase scented candles, perfume or other fragrances reminiscent of the season her baby passed
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Purchase a soothing music cd
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Don’t give advice because this can be interpreted in a negative way
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Take her for a walk in the park to breath in nature and photograph the beautiful sky while remembering her sweet child
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Send a “Thinking of You” card on the baby’s angelversary or birthday
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Offer to babysit her other children so she can may time alone to grieve
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Bring meals for the family
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Light a candle on Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day
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Create a handmade pregnancy and infant loss ribbonfor her refrigerator
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Help her create memorial scrapbook pages for her angel baby
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Help her create a memory garden at her home or church
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Help her with the funeral or memorial service arrangements
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Help her create a shadow box for mementos
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Purchase a journal for special words to her baby
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Create care packages for the homeless honoring her infant
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Here are additional ideas you to help your friend create memorials for her baby forever in her heart
I hope these suggestions help to comfort your girlfriend in one of the most tragic events of her life. If she is taking prescription medication for her grief, do not take what she says to heart. Grieving is hard work and bereaved parents may not understand what is happening in their worlds. Be Understanding, Be There and Be Her Friend.
If you are a bereaved mommy or daddy and would like to share the words or actions that gave you some comfort during the time of your child’s passing, you are welcome to do so in the comment box below.
Peace Love and Hugs from Above www.justacloudaway.com
Diana
