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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.

Saturday

August 2026

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEAugust 22

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYAwareness

SUBCATEGORYHealth Conditions

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

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.

TIMELINE

National Rainbow Baby Day Timeline

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.

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.

Rainbow Baby Stories

First-person narratives and testimonies about rainbow babies began to gain media attention, bringing significant awareness to the term.

Nationwide Commemoration

August 22nd became recognized nationwide as National Rainbow Baby Day, sparking annual celebrations by parents and advocacy groups.

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.

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.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate National Rainbow Baby Day

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.

MAKE

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.

ORGANIZE

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.

CREATE

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.

MAKE

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 THIS DAY MATTERS

Why National Rainbow Baby Day is Important

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.

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.

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.

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THU

Oct 2026

Awareness

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Honor the lives of lost babies and remember those affected by pregnancy and infant loss on National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day.

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Join us in raising awareness and honoring the lives of angel babies during Baby Loss Awareness Week. Let's support each other through this difficult journey.

National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month

Join us in raising awareness and supporting those affected by pregnancy and infant loss this month. Let's break the silence and honor these precious lives.