quiet way of communicating this information without requiring parents to repeatedly explain their loss to everyone who enters the room.
Why Is the Symbol Important?
The birth of a baby is normally considered a joyful occasion.
However, for some families, childbirth can also involve profound grief.
Imagine welcoming a healthy newborn while simultaneously mourning another baby who did not survive.
This can create an extremely complicated emotional experience.
Parents may feel:
- Happiness
- Love
- Grief
- Shock
- Sadness
- Emotional exhaustion
A purple butterfly can help healthcare workers and visitors understand that the family may be experiencing both joy and grief at the same time.
A Symbol of a Surviving Sibling
The purple butterfly is sometimes placed near the surviving baby’s hospital cot or crib.
Its purpose is not to identify the baby as sick.
Instead, it can indicate that the baby had a sibling who was part of the pregnancy but did
