“It is not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving.”
— Mother Teresa
We are truly heartbroken for the loss of your precious child, and we want to express our deepest condolences. No one should have to go through that, and we cannot begin to understand the depth of your grief. Additionally, we know that lactation can be an incredibly difficult and emotional journey during such a sensitive time. It’s normal to feel a range of emotions, from sadness to frustration, and we want you to know that your feelings are completely valid. There is no “right” way to feel, and it’s okay to experience all that you’re going through.
Please know that we are here for you, offering support in whatever way you need. You do not have to face this alone.
https://www.themilkbank.org/
https://tinytreasuresmilkbank.com/
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988
Suicide Hotline: 1-800-TALK
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
Crisis Support Services: 1-800-273-8255
S.A.F.E Alternatives (self-harm helpline): 1-800-366-8288
Families Anonymous (Addiction/Recovery): 1-800-736-9805
AI-Anon Family Groups (Addiction/Recovery): 1-888-425-2666
Post Partum Depression: 1-800-944-4773
National Parent Helpline: 1-855-427-2736
After the loss of your newborn, planning a funeral is the last thing you want to think about. The pain of saying goodbye to a child you hoped to watch grow old is unbearable and something no parent should have to go through. Making funeral arrangements during such a heart-wrenching time can feel incredibly overwhelming. You’re not only grieving the loss, but also facing an unimaginable weight of responsibility when all you want is time to heal, to mourn, and to remember your baby. The process of navigating these difficult decisions can feel like a burden too heavy to carry. We are here to help you and to provide support. Here are some resources and cost assistance programs to help you through this time:
Social Security: Offers a one-time “lump sum death payment” of $255 to a qualifying surviving parent to help with funeral expenses.
How to apply:
State and County Assistance: Every state has its own rules and budgets for funeral assistance. Although there are some states that offer no help, assistance may be available at a city or county level.
How to apply:
Burial Insurance: A type of insurance policy that pays for end-of-life expenses. It is designed to help relieve the financial burden on loved ones by covering specific funeral costs.
How to apply:
TEARS Foundation: Offers financial assistance for funeral services to families who have experienced the death of their baby. Emotional support groups are also available through their website.
How to apply:
Final Farewell: Helps families provide an affordable funeral for a loved child. Providing financial assistance, advice, and guidance.
How to apply:
Rebecca’s Reason: Helps provide financial support to families who have lost a child or receive a life-limiting diagnosis for a child.
How to apply:
We understand how difficult this time must be for you, and while we’ve shared some information to help guide you through, it’s important to remember that you don’t have to face this alone. There are communities and counseling resources available where you can find support, connect with others who understand what you’re going through, and lean on professionals who can help you navigate your emotions and challenges. Here are some supportive spaces you can reach out to during this incredibly tough journey:
National Alliance for Children’s Grief
Link: https://nacg.org/
The Dougy Center
Link: https://dougy.org/
The Compassionate Friends
Center for Loss and Life Transition
Share – Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support
BetterHelp
Talkspace
Brightside
Teladoc
Link: https://www.teladochealth.com/individuals/mental-health/
TherapyDen
Doctor on Demand
E-Therapy Cafe
Little Otter
TeenCounseling
A Work of Heart
MyCounselor.online
Death is incredibly difficult to understand, and no one ever teaches us how to cope with it or how to feel when it happens. When trying to comfort a friend who is grieving, especially after the loss of a child, it’s hard to know the right words to say. In this instance, your friend has just lost their child to a disease beyond their control. They were likely filled with excitement and hope after carrying their baby for nine months, and now their world feels like it’s turning upside down.
Tips on how you can help:
Losing someone is never easy, but losing a child is a pain that no words can describe. We are deeply, deeply sorry for your unimaginable loss. What you’re feeling right now is beyond what anyone should ever have to endure, and we want you to know that all of your emotions are valid. There is no right or wrong way to grieve, and you have every right to feel what you feel for as long as you need to.
Please remember, you are not alone in this. We are here for you. We want to offer you whatever support we can during this incredibly difficult time, and share some coping strategies that we hope might bring you comfort, even if just for a moment. You don’t have to go through this alone, and we’ll walk alongside you, however you need, every step of the way.
Virtually all living animals go through the process of conceiving, giving birth, and raising their offspring. But the human experience of doing this is far more complex than any animal. Because we are human, there is a sense of psychological, social, and meaning construction. There is an emotional attachment like no other. Due to this, the parents of children who die go through a broad range of symptoms when experiencing loss. This includes both mental and physical symptoms.
Depression, along with feelings of sadness, despair, emptiness, helplessness, and loneliness, are common responses to loss. At times, these feelings may even lead to thoughts of wanting to escape the pain. In addition to emotional struggles, many people also experience physical symptoms such as insomnia, loss of appetite, confusion, difficulty concentrating, and obsessive thinking.
It’s common for grieving parents to experience intense anger, frustration, or irritability as part of their grief. This anger may be directed at a variety of sources—such as a spouse, family members, healthcare professionals, God, life itself, or even the child who has passed. In some cases, parents may also turn this anger inward, feeling self-blame, shame, or a sense of worthlessness. These emotions are a natural part of the grieving process, even though they can feel overwhelming and confusing.
We understand that this is an incredibly difficult and overwhelming time for you in many ways. The emotions and confusion you’re feeling right now are completely natural, and we are truly sorry you’re having to go through this. Our goal is to provide the resources and support you need to help navigate this challenging journey.
It’s important to know that most babies who develop NEC go on to recover fully and do not experience long-term feeding issues. While there can be more serious complications, we encourage you to hold onto hope and think positively as you move through this time. Please remember, you have not done anything to deserve this or cause it. No mother should have to face this kind of stress while bringing a child into the world. We are here for you, and we want to provide a strong support system to help you through each step of this difficult process. You’re not alone, and we are here to help you in any way we can.
It’s completely normal to feel worried when your precious newborn is diagnosed with a serious condition like NEC. As a mother, one of the hardest aspects of this experience can be the inability to feed your baby, especially when they are so small and vulnerable. You instinctively want to nourish them and provide the nutrients they need. It can feel wrong to have their feedings taken away. Additionally, it’s painful not being able to spend as much time with your new baby when they need to undergo testing and/or treatments.
However, it’s important to remember that the doctors and medical team are focused on your baby’s best interests. They are constantly working to help your little one recover and navigate this challenging illness. While it may feel like you’re being kept apart from your baby, these treatments are crucial for giving them the best chance at healing. You’ll be able to hold your precious baby again soon. Trust the process, lean on the support around you, and take comfort in the fact that the care being given is in the best interest of your baby’s health and future.
Link: https://care.com/
Link: https://care.com/
During difficult times, it can feel overwhelming to care for your family. One of these stresses can be making sure to provide nutritious meals. Whether you’re spending long hours at the hospital with a newborn battling NEC, or grieving the heartbreaking loss of a child, the last thing you should have to worry about is how to feed yourself and your loved ones. We understand that this is an extremely challenging and emotional time, and we want to offer some resources to help you through it. Below are helpful links that can connect you to meal assistance and support services:
Information gathered at: https://www.usa.gov/food-help
Whether you are frequently in and out of the hospital, or navigating the loss of your child, the emotional toll can feel overwhelming. A NEC diagnosis is already incredibly challenging, and finding a balance between caring for your family and managing work responsibilities can often feel impossible. That’s why we’ve gathered some resources for flexible job opportunities that can help ease your financial worries, while allowing you the time and space to be with your loved ones. These options are designed to provide the flexibility you need, whether through remote work or positions with accommodating hours:
Note: This is just a small selection of job platforms you can explore. There are many other resources available beyond this list. If you’re not finding what you need here, you can always search online for job opportunities that better match your specific needs.
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