Books that Support Families After the Death of a Baby
* This image uses the old name of the ‘Is There a Book for That?’ blog/book list.
Whether it be a miscarriage, a stillbirth, the loss of a baby after a couple of hours... or days... or months, the death of a baby is incredibly tragic. It often feels very different than the death of an older person and families can struggle with what to say to their children. These resouces give families some supportive words that can help. I am also sharing some books that families can customize as a special way to memorialize their baby. An older child may become attached to one of these books too as a way to fill close to their sibling. There are a variety of resources below. As always I have chosen the resources that feel like they can be supportive to a wide range of families.
(I am adding links to all of the books to help you all easily find and purchase. I do receive a small commission, but it doesn't cost you any more and it doesn't take anything away from the author. It's just Amazon that makes a little less per purchase. :) This will help me justify taking time from me week to find you more great books!)
Because I Already Loved You by Andrée-Anne Cyr
This book tells the story of a boy who, along with his family, is anticipating the arrival of a new baby. The baby is stillborn. This is explained in simple clear language. This book really focuses on the love that connects the child and the baby even though they didn’t have many of the common sibling experiences. Some of the details may not match a families experience, but I can see this book being comforting for most families/siblings that experience a loss.
https://amzn.to/4oFim8G
Something Happened by Cathy Blanford
This book tells the story of a child whose family is excited for the arrival of their baby. The book talks about the different reasons they are excited about the baby while also acknowledging how great the big sibling is. Then something happens and instead of going to the hospital to say hello they are going to the hospital to say goodbye. The book does a good job using concrete simple language such as the words dead/died. Then the book talks about the different things that the child and his parents feel. The book covers common feelings and experiences. The book also includes small notes on each page for the parent regarding things to consider when supporting a grieving child. This book would be very relatable to many families who lose a baby in pregnancy or have a stillbirth. There are some aspects such as going to the hospital, family dynamics (mom, dad and one child) and not knowing why the baby died that might be a little different on a situational basis, but for the most part this book does a good job of being supportive no matter the belief system.
https://amzn.to/4nS4hne
I Love You Still: A Memorial Baby Book by Margaret Schofield
This book is set up like a typical baby book with lots of prompts for memories and details. This includes prompts for different things that happened in each month of the pregnancy. The book is written in a way that is appropriate for a baby who died. The parent doesn’t have to skip over certain sections, but can share and remember all of the special moments and memories. There are a lot of journaling prompts and space for journaling. The book has a animal-themed children’s book look to it that could be nostalgic of a nursery/baby room - appropriate for either gender. A special way to keep a baby’s story alive.
https://amzn.to/47IPuoA
In Memory of You: Guided Baby Memory Journal by Autumn Cohen
This beautiful book is a baby book that can be used to preserve memories of a baby who died. There is space for pictures of the pregnancy, ultrasound, family, and baby. There are journaling prompts with lots of room to write, and there are little prompts to record the little details. This could be a family-wide project or could be a project that gives a parent a chance to process. The book is beautifully tied together with a floral/botanical print with neutral colors - appropriate for either gender.
https://inmemoryofyoubook.com/products/in-memory-of-you-guided-baby-memory-journal
I have previously shared some of the resources that I have created to support families after the tragic loss of a baby. You can go back to the blogs on January 15, 2025, July 9, 2025, and August 6, 2025 to read more about each of these or look under the Order tab on the home page to get an inside look.
