Support Services

Losing a baby is a devastating experience for the families involved. If you have lost a baby or are facing the loss of a baby, it is important to know what support and help is available. There are books, guides and podcasts that deal with child loss, explaining death to other children, helping children deal with losing a sibling, and losing a loved one suddenly, that families may find useful.

Support services and organisations

• Baby Loss Awareness Week takes place in New Zealand from 9th to 15th October every year. There are often events and a memorial service where parents can come together to remember their babies.
• The Sudden Infant Death Peer Support Group has a 24-hour free to call helpline. Call 0800 164 455 to find peer support near you.
• Whetūrangitia is an online service supporting bereaved parents and whānau who have experienced miscarriages, stillbirths, foetal abnormalities, and baby and child loss, by bringing together information and resources in one place.
• Sands New Zealand offer support for parents and families who have lost a baby, either during pregnancy or infancy.
• The Care for Families NZ organisation provides bereavement care packages to families going through baby loss journeys.
• Heart Song is an in-person support group facilitated by Skylight for parents who have lost a child of any age. They meet one evening a month in Wellington.
• The Unthinkables is a small Facebook group of, and for, New Zealand parents who have lost a child. It was set up by the founder of Kenzie’s Gift.
• Bittersweet Parents and Bittersweet Siblings are Australian-based Facebook groups that are open to New Zealand parents and siblings who have lost a child.
• Together – Bereaved Parents Support Group meet monthly in-person in Auckland and online.

Miscarriage and terminations

Miscarriage Support has many useful resources to help parents going through miscarriage, including dedicated resources for men. They also have a private Facebook group.

There are a number of support services available for those who have faced the difficult decision to end their pregnancy due to medical reasons.

• Ending a Wanted Pregnancy provides abortion grief support following pregnancy terminations for medical reasons. You can apply to join their private Facebook page for support from other parents going through similar situations.
• A Heartbreaking Choice has members discussions, links to resources, stories and articles that may be helpful.
• Facebook group TFMR, A Loving Choice offers peer-to-peer support.