Life after the death of a baby or child

The physical and emotional environment in which parents find themselves following their baby or child's death will play a significant part in their ability to grieve.

Other potential factors are:

• Your relationships
• The quality of the support available to you, both practical and emotional
• Your own health and well-being
• The demands of other children in the family
• The loss of your role/identity as a mother/father where your only child has died
• Your financial situation
• Legalities eg inquest, compensation, litigation, complaints etc
• Publicity surrounding the death
• Police investigations

Where a child dies following a lengthy period of illness or disability, families may potentially lose financial assistance, equipment/vehicle etc and the support of frequent visits from professionals.