Making Memories

For families who lose a baby to pregnancy and infant loss, your time at the hospital is precious and often the only time to make memories with your baby.

Below you will find a list of some ways fellow bereaved families have made memories with their beloved baby during their hospital stay.  If you are lacking resources, please consider asking the hospital staff for donated items or asking a family member or friend to make a trip to the store to purchase items for you.  Most importantly, take your time when making decisions and be kind to yourself.  Please remember, you are not alone and we are here to support you when your heart is ready.

• Name your baby
• Hold and touch your baby
• Kiss and hug your baby
• Request skin to skin contact after your baby is born
• Let family and friends hold and meet your baby (including any living siblings)
• Ask hospital staff for weight/height/head circumference measurements
• Ask hospital staff to fill out a crib card
• Ask hospital staff for name bands for your baby
• Handprint/footprint cards (have multiple made if possible)
• Hand/foot molds (Crayola model magic works well)
• Lock of hair keepsake
• Bathe your baby (ask for assistance if needed)
• Take photos of labor/delivery/your baby (every part of their body)
• Request professional photographs of your baby and family (NILMDTS offers free, professional photos)
  • See our photo gallery for photo ideas
• Request immersion photography (underwater photos)
• Take videos (kissing your baby, hugging your baby, making memories with your baby, etc.)
• Journal (in writing/videos)
• Religious rituals (ex: baptism, etc.), ask for the hospital Chaplain
• Watch sports games on television with your baby
• Play music (listen to our pregnancy and infant loss playlist created by other bereaved families)
• Read books
• Dress your baby
• Make a memory box or a memory book