August 22

National Rainbow Baby Day

Celebrate the beauty of life this National Rainbow Baby Day - honor your rainbow baby and all those who have gone before them.

Yearly Date
August 22
Type
Day

Introduction

Celebrate the beauty and joy of life on National Rainbow Baby Day, August 22! This special day was created to honor and recognize all rainbow babies - those children born after a miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss. It is a day to celebrate the strength and resilience of families who have experienced such tragedy, but are still able to find hope in the future. On this day, let's come together to show our appreciation for these beautiful little miracles and their families.

National Rainbow Baby Day Timeline

1970s
Origin of the Term
The term "rainbow baby" was first employed during this decade, coined by grieving parents searching for a way to express their joy and sorrow simultaneously.
1999
Online Communities Formation
Online communities and forums dedicated to the concept of rainbow babies started to form, providing much needed support to parents who have experienced loss.
2010
Rainbow Baby Stories
First-person narratives and testimonies about rainbow babies began to gain media attention, bringing significant awareness to the term.
2015
Nationwide Commemoration
August 22nd became recognized nationwide as National Rainbow Baby Day, sparking annual celebrations by parents and advocacy groups.
2018
First Annual Public Commemoration
The first annual public event was held to celebrate National Rainbow Baby Day, which included gatherings of families and communities to commemorate these special children and their families.
2020
Increased Community Engagement
Online and offline community participation in National Rainbow Baby Day witnessed a significant increase, helping to spread awareness and spark conversations about the experiences of families welcoming a baby after a loss.

How to Celebrate National Rainbow Baby Day

1

Paint a rainbow

Grab some poster board and paint supplies and paint your own rainbow. You can use traditional colors, or mix it up and use a range of non-traditional colors to make your own unique work of art.

2

Make rainbow-inspired treats

There are so many fun recipes out there to make rainbow inspired treats. From cakes to cupcakes to cookies and more, get creative and make something special that celebrates the joy of a rainbow baby.

3

Organize a rainbow baby photo shoot

Gather up all the friends and family with rainbow babies and organize a group photo shoot. It will be a great way to capture the moment and commemorate the joy of a rainbow baby.

4

Create a Rainbow Baby Memory Box

From ultrasound pictures to tiny outfits, gather up all the special items from your rainbow baby's life and create a memory box that you can look back on for years to come.

5

Make rainbow baby cards

Grab some card stock, markers, and stickers and make your own cards for friends and family with rainbow babies. Make sure to include the words 'Rainbow Baby' on each card.

Why National Rainbow Baby Day is Important

A

It acknowledges the loss of a baby

National Rainbow Baby Day is a day to recognize and remember the babies we have lost due to miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant death. It's a chance to honor the memory of these children and reminds us that there are still moments of beauty, even in our pain.

B

It celebrates hope for the future

Many couples who experience such losses go on to conceive and give birth to healthy babies, referred to as "rainbow babies." National Rainbow Baby Day offers these couples an opportunity to celebrate the joy and love they are able to create following their sorrow.

C

It helps remove stigma around infertility & pregnancy loss

Fertility issues and pregnancy loss are often seen as taboo subjects that people don't feel comfortable talking about. By acknowledging National Rainbow Baby Day, we can help start important conversations about these topics that can reduce stigma and offer support for those who are struggling with them.

National Rainbow Baby Day Dates

Year
Date
Day
2023
Aug 21
Monday
2024
Aug 21
Wednesday
2025
Aug 21
Thursday
2026
Aug 21
Friday
2027
Aug 21
Saturday