Today, Saturday 25 March, is Say Their Name Day, when Red Nose Australia encourages Aussies to break the silence that follows the death of a baby – a silence that often compounds the grief of parents.
Thousands of Australians will be publicly sharing the names or nicknames of their loved and missed babies on social media as part of the campaign.
There is also 12 days left to sign a current petition to Federal Parliament, calling for the creation of dedicated stillbirth/bereavement suites in maternity hospitals across the country.
The petition, created by NSW mum Sophie Toneguzzi, whose son Huxley was stillborn in 2020, has almost 30,000 signatures and will close on 5 April.
Sophie and her hospital knew Huxley had died before she went into labour, but the only option was for her to give birth in the standard maternity suite, surrounded by the cries of other healthy newborns being born.
“We should not be expected to give birth right next to someone birthing a live baby,” she wrote.
“One mother has said her baby was covered up by a blanket before being walked out so he didn’t upset other mothers.
“There are plenty of families telling their experiences that could have gone differently if a bereavement suite or room was available.”
Every year in Australia, an estimated 110,000 families experience miscarriage and 3,000 more endure the loss of a baby through stillbirth or sudden infant death.
These devastating losses are often followed by silence. Friends, colleagues, and family members are often unsure what to say to grieving parents and say nothing for fear of causing further distress.
“Everyone knows that talking about the death of a baby can be an incredibly hard conversation. But many parents tell us they want people to talk about their babies,” says CEO of Red Nose Australia, Keren Ludski.
“Their babies existed, they were wanted and much loved and they need to feel them acknowledged.”
Parents wanting to get involved in Say Their Name Day can add their child’s name to the Red Nose virtual memorial wall, create an online tribute fundraiser, or donate by visiting saytheirname.org.au
Funds raised for Say Their Name Day go towards Red Nose services, including the 24/7 Grief and Loss Support Line, and research projects into bereavement care.
“An important part of honouring and remembering our twin boys has been to speak their name,” says Elise Sheehan, mum to twins Darcy and Lachlan who were stillborn in October 2022.
“We love to be able to use their names and talk about them. I encourage the friends and family of bereaved parents to use their baby’s name, ask about them, and keep their memory alive.
“As their memory and story is all we have.”
To reach Red Nose Australia’s 24/7 Support Line call 1300 308 307.
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