We wanted to show you how we use the butterfly project on our unit

Most women who have a multiple pregnancy (twins, triplets or more) do not have complications, but sadly, every day in the UK at least one baby from a multiple pregnancy dies....

The project came about as a NICU team in Newcastle wanted to understand what it felt like to be a parent who has had to face such a difficult challenge. They spoke to parents who had lost at least one baby, and had a least one surviving baby from a multiple pregnancy.

The idea of using a butterfly on the surviving baby’s cot/incubator came from a parent. You can see from the photos that the little butterfly card has a space to write the name of the baby they lost and it is often on the incubator next to the cot card.

This is optional for families but feedback has been that they appreciate when staff acknowledge the surviving baby is a twin/triplet etc and gives them the opportunity to discuss the loss and “permission” to grieve.

#BabyLossAwarenessWeek