This is your baby, and you have options for creating lasting memories. You have been a parent to your baby, and it is important to find ways to remember your baby. The creation of precious memories is an important part of this parenting and healing experience. Give yourself time for you and your partner to go through this process.

This is your time with your baby. Do whatever feels right for you. You may choose to spend this time creating special memories and considering religious ceremonies or rituals meaningful to you and your family. Some families have taken the time to dress or wrap their baby and read special stories to them. Your healthcare team is available to help you with ideas or support you to create memories with your baby.

Let your healthcare team know if you would like to have additional support from a social worker or spiritual care worker, or if you wish to involve traditional cultural practices. A spiritual care staff member can assist you with religious rites that may be important to you like prayers, blessing, or dedication. They can also help to contact community leaders or indigenous hospital support services. Most hospitals have a quiet room or chapel you can visit.

Photo memories

Most families find photos of their baby help with the grief process. You can take your own photos or let your healthcare provider know if you wish to have help with photos. They can offer some ideas or support.

You can use your own camera or phone or you can use a camera from the photo kit on the nursing unit. The kit has various supplies you can use, as well as a photo book with ideas of possible photos. Your healthcare team can also connect you with volunteer resources that you may find helpful, like Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, which offers family portraits to families suffering the loss of a baby.

Photos are for you to keep as forever memories. Some families have shared that at the time of the loss, they were not ready for photos. But often, later, families wish they had taken photos. This is your time with your baby. You can always decide later in what ways you would like to use or keep the photos as memories.

Tell your healthcare team if photos are against your cultural values or beliefs and they will respect your wishes.

• You can use either your own camera or phone or, if you are on a nursing unit, you can use the unit camera.
• Use this opportunity to hold your baby.
• Consider if you have a meaningful baby item to bring in for the photos.
• Take close-up photos of your baby’s face, hands, or feet in addition to photos with family.
• In the case of a loss of a twin or multiples, take pictures of the babies together as well as of each baby separately.
• Include members of your family in the photos.
• If you need photo ideas, ask to see items from the photo kit and photo book provided by the Pregnancy and Infant Loss Program.
• Take many photos of each pose to make sure you have many to choose from. The more photos, the better.​