Losing a baby at any stage of pregnancy or infancy can be a devastatingly lonely experience. For many parents, even their closest family and friends can not relate to their loss and, try as they might, may not be as empathetic as you hoped they would be.
Parents may find themselves searching Facebook, Instagram, or Google for resources or other bereaved parents who share their feelings of loss – grief, sadness, despair, anger, disappointment, fear, and more.
Below is a list of social media accounts and blogs that the team at GWHA has found to be gentle, empathetic, and supportive for those experiencing baby loss.
#ihadamiscarriage campaign by Dr. Jessica Zucker
Dr. Jessica Zucker shares her experience of miscarriage at 16 weeks and expands to include parents of all types of loss with her empathetic posts. She also has resources for free or for purchase that draw attention to the loss community in a profoundly empowering way. Her campaign has been written about dozens of times in news media outlets including The New York Times, Elle, and The Cut.
Refuge in Grief – Grief Support That Doesn’t Suck by Megan Devine
Author of “It’s OK That You’re Not OK”, Megan Devine is leading a grief crusade. Although not specific to baby loss, her perspective on grief, and what grief recovery looks like are refreshing in today’s “silver lining” society. Her social media feeds are filled with tips and tricks for surviving early grief, how to handle friends and family who are less sensitive than you expected or hoped and she has two free, printable resources for the bereaved as well as for friends and family to better understand what you need during this perhaps new and terribly difficult time. Her 30-day course, Writing Your Grief, runs frequently, for those inclined to express their grief experience through writing.
The Love and Loss Project by April Boyd, MSW
April is a bereaved mama and social worker who started a community for other bereaved mothers. Her blog and Facebook pages are full of self-care tips, coping strategies, outreach projects, and more. She offers online counseling for standard social work fees but also has a number of free resources, including Love and Loss Letters written by fellow bereaved mamas and a free Anniversary Planner. Search Facebook for the Love and Loss Landing Place for a closed group of bereaved parents.
Glow in the Woods – for a baby loss mothers and fathers
Glow in the Woods has multiple contributors, all of whom have lost little lives. Kate Inglis, the primary contributor, has also written a beautiful book entitled, Notes for the Everlost: A Field Guide to Grief, reflecting on her experience of losing a twin son after a grueling stay in the NICU. Glow in the Woods provides multiple resources such a book list, frequently updated writings of grief and loss, and a discussion forum.
Still Standing Magazine: Surviving the Aftermath of Loss and Infertility
A collaborative blog, Still Standing explores loss from many angles and includes supportive resources for the full spectrum of loss from infertility, miscarriage, stillbirth, and neonatal loss. They have multiple articles for bereaved fathers, an under-supported group of loss parents, advocacy avenues, and supports for friends and family on navigating the delicate issue of supporting a grieving friend.
Grieving Dads: To the Brink and Back by Kelly Farley
Bereaved father, Kelly Farley, provides a space specifically for fathers of loss. His book and blog cover topics biased toward the grief a father may experience after the loss of a baby or child.
Josiah and Co. By Melissa Sulley and on Instagram @josiahandco.
Melissa is a past guest speaker at GWHA for our Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support Series and is a bereaved mother of multiple loss babies. She crochets booties “with heaven babies in mind” and has launched several of her own online support groups, Instagram Live, and in-person events, and resource lists in support of grieving families. Her Pregnancy and Infant Loss: A Comprehensive Resource List is available online for a nominal fee.
Some other social media and blogs that you may find helpful on your grief journey include:
Have a social media resource that has helped you navigate this new life after loss? Contact us to have it added to the above list.