How to Cope With an Infant's Death

One of the hardest things a parent may have to do is cope with their infant's death. Well-meaning friends and family may make the situation worse and even strangers can make you feel horrible. Read on to learn more.

Instructions

• 1

  Find a chance to say goodbye to your baby, if possible. Ask your doctor if you can hold your baby, and take a lock of hair, if you feel like it. Feel free to create a special box for your baby full of mementos. Some people find solace in taking pictures of their baby.

• 2

  Join a support group with parents going through similar things. No one understands what you're going through better than people who've also gone through it. Learn coping strategies from people who know what helps and what doesn't. These groups are usually led by a facilitator, who can refer you to therapy or your physician for more help. Ask your doctor for a referral.

• 3

  Ask for help from friends and family, even if it's been months. It will take a long time for you to recover from this. Friends and family are often helpful in the beginning, but may disappear in a few weeks. If you still need help from them, ask for it.

• 4

  Don't be ashamed about letting friends and family know they're not helping. Give them clear instructions about what you need from them, if possible. However, understand they're going through their own grief too.

• 5

  Try to take care of yourself by eating healthy, exercising and staying away from drugs and alcohol.

• 6

  Know the symptoms of depression including inability to sleep or eat, excessive crying, restlessness, irritability and anxiousness. If you have these symptoms for more than a few weeks, speak to your doctor about going onto anti-depressants and getting some therapy.

• 7

  Take care of your relationship. While some couples grow stronger while coping with an infant's death, many fracture. Your partner will probably have a different way of coping than you-try to accept that. Consider counseling, or a support group to help your relationship skills.