Nothing can compare to the pain of losing a child. It’s an experience that stays with parents forever, so it's not surprising that many seek out tangible ways to remember their baby. This often helps them on their healing journey and can lead them to creating everlasting mementos of their loss, in delicate, and creative ways like miscarriage tattoo or ashes jewellery.
Miscarriage tattoos, or baby loss tattoos, are a permanent and personal way of keeping a part of your angel baby close to you forever. They’re completely unique and can be personalised in whatever way you want, making them a popular choice with parents.
Whether you go big and bold or small and discreet, each miscarriage tattoo is a personal piece and can help celebrate their short lives and keep them in your heart forever.
Infant loss and miscarriage is a delicate and difficult topic to bring up, but ultimately these experiences shape the rest of your life, so it’s vital to talk and seek out miscarriage support if you need to.
However you want to remember your angel baby, there are some symbols that you're likely to recognise so we've highlighted a few of them here and explained the meaning behind them:
Miscarriage and baby loss tattoo ideas
1. The baby loss awareness ribbon
The infant loss ribbon is pink and blue, and is a symbol for promoting baby loss awareness, including loss during and after pregnancy, stillbirth, miscarriage, neonatal death and SIDS.
The first Baby Loss Awareness Day in the UK took place on 15 October 2002. It was initiated by a small group of parents, including two parents from the Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society (Sands) and inspired by Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance Day in the United States.
Through the sale of handmade ribbon pins, they raised thousands of pounds for UK organisations supporting bereaved parents. Today, the awareness day has expanded to a week-long event and as well as the ribbon, you can also purchase enamel pins with the pink and blue logo to show your support of BLAW, and help raise funds to research baby loss and miscarriage.
This instagram image, shared by Beneath The Skin Tattoo (@beneaththeskintattoos) on Jul 29 2020 shows a lovely version of the Baby Loss Awareness ribbon, including two other powerful baby loss symbols: the feather and bird.
2. Angel wings
A tattoo of angel wings symbolises guidance, protection, hope, and faith, but also the sense of loss. Another meaning associated with angel wings is of rebirth and reincarnation - making them very fitting and meaningful for a miscarriage tattoo. This incredibly beautiful tattoo also signifies innocence, perseverance, resilience, love, and transformation.
Post shared by Cherry Xzhao (@cherryxzhao)
3. Feather
Have you ever heard the saying that when you see a white feather it means that an angel or a lost loved one is nearby? That's why a feather design is also a popular tattoo choice to mark baby loss. Also interesting that some cultures and civilisations see feathers as messages from the spirit world.
Shared by Louise Flynn (@louiseflynnart)
4. Birds
Birds flying away from a branch are a popular meaningful miscarriage tattoo as it depicts the lost infant flying away. A flying flock of birds symbolises freedom of the soul and the mind, and represents life and constant motion - a fitting and strong tribute.
Emma Davies (@emmaparis) shared this image on 29 May 2020, sharing it's meaning with the following caption: "I have always loved flying birds. When I lost 3 babies to miscarriage it took a toll on me. When we suffer miscarriage we leave the hospital with nothing to remember them. Thanks to @feelinktattoo I have my three babies with me forever. As my family looks on from the branch my babies fly higher then we can imagine. Until we meet again in heaven."
5. Infinity symbol
The infinity symbol, a figure eight on its side, signifies the concept of never-ending love. The infinity symbol holds a deep meaning for spirituality, love, beauty, and power. In a world filled with distraction and complications, the infinity symbol represents a sense of simplicity and balance. It also reminds us to be mindful of where we are and of the endless possibilities we have before us.
A post shared by Amy Chapman (@amylou751) on 17 May 2020: "On this day last year I was in the car on the way to my first pregnancy scan after having barely slept due to being so excited. Nothing on this planet could have prepared me for the look on the ladies face as she scanned me silently and then turned to me and said 'I’m so sorry Amy there’s no heartbeat'. In that moment, my entire world fell apart.
"To any woman who has experienced this loss who is reading this, it’s ok to not be ok. Today I carry the tattoo on my arm that lays next to my heart, to remind me of the two babies I lost last year. While they give me some small comfort, neither of these things will ever replace the yearning I had and still have to hold my baby in my arms - I hold them in my heart instead of my arms."
6. Mother and child
This tattoo is a beautifully simple depiction of a pregnant mother and baby. Sammy Patnett (@sammy_patnett) shared this image on 9 Jul 2020, along with her story: "It’s two years this month since we last had a miscarriage. Two years of secondary infertility. Two years of waiting for a rainbow while being stuck in the rain. Sometimes I think I would go back to a time where we never got pregnant, never lost babies, never felt the heartbreak that we have.
"But it’s not true, I would do it all again just to feel the love for bump and Chris that I felt, even just for a short time. You’ll always be my greatest ‘what if’."
7. Rose
Every flower has a different meaning; they are a pretty and poignant way to commemorate your lost baby. Popular floral designs include roses - a classic symbol of love, and forget-me-nots - a delicate little flower that represents true love and means you will never forget the person you gift it to.
Liz Alvarez (@lizalvarezart) tattooed this perfect peony - symbolising love - to mark a client's baby loss, along with a meaningful quote along the stem.
8. Poppy
We also love this tattoo of a Poppy, which @Beautifulblestmess got to commemorate their loss.
"A symbol of rest-fullness and peace in death. The flower for August. August: the month in which we was supposed to meet our little one. This tattoo is much more than just ink. It’s a lovely reminder that you are just as beautiful as these simple flowers. Just as precious as the delicate petals. You are and always will be my baby. My world. I can’t wait to meet you. Until then, you’ll be with me forever. Mommy loves you."
9. Baby Loss Awareness flowers
The below tattoo uses little delicate flower stems to create the Baby Loss Awareness ribbon:
Shannae Mansfield (@shannaechlo) shared it on 20 Jul, 2020: "My heart aches as I no longer get to carry you and watch you grow. I carry so much guilt, but I know you had a reason to go to heaven. I will always love you. I wanted you to be with me forever and wasnt sure how to do it. So I got a tattoo my way of coping and moving forward. Huge thanks to @threeeyedwolf for doing this for me, it means a lot."
10. Meaningful quote
Sometimes there's no other way to show how you feel than with words.
@lizaplantygram shared her miscarriage tattoo, with these words: "This October has been very hard. This month is also Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness month. This is also the month we would’ve been bringing home our baby. October 13th was my due date. I keep thinking back to my miscarriage. It doesn’t feel like it’s been months since it happened. I still remember that pain. We think about our baby all the time. I carried you every second of your life and I will love you every second of mine."
11. Footprint
Footprints symbolise what we leave behind; they are a mark, an indentation. They indicate that someone has been here before, walking beside you - but they are no longer there. They reference the past, absence, and spiritual rather than physical presence. We love this footprint tattoo, which also uses the miscarriage ribbon, shared by NolieA (@nolie1990).
Nolie said: "This year, my little one would be turning 4 in October but instead I will light a candle by myself. There is a silent grief that I carry every single day. My miscarriage is a part of me but it does not define me. I have it tattooed on my wrist as a daily reminder of the strength I have in myself to keep myself above water."
12. Rainbow
A "rainbow baby" is a term for a baby born after a previous pregnancy loss, like a miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss. The name rainbow baby comes from the idea of a rainbow appearing in the sky after a storm, or after a dark and turbulent time symbolising hope and new beginnings.
@faithjohnsentattoo shared this simple rainbow tattoo below that she created for a client: "A memorial tattoo for her twins. From one mother to another, these are some of the most meaningful tattoos I get to do."
13. & sign
The '&' sign represents union, togetherness, marriage, friendship, or an attachment to a person, place or concept, so is the perfect symbol to attach yourself to your baby forever, so that you and your baby will always be together. This tattoo from @the.etched.arch is discreet and dainty and can be placed anywhere on the body.
14. Baby
No matter how many years pass, they'll always be your baby. That's why we love the simplicity of the word baby. This particular tattoo from @faithjohnsentattoo has added meaning as the heart was drawn by her partner, symbolising their love for your baby too.
15. In our hearts
This touching quote tattoo from @shadijtattoos paired with a cute character can be personalised to make it meaningful for you and your baby.
16. Too beautiful quote
Sometimes a simple quote says it all. We adore this beautiful quote by @valleyink_penticton that can be as small or as big as you like.
17. Carry you
You'll always carry your baby with you on your journey through life, and this little tattoo from @tracymarietattoo with a drawing is a subtle reminder of that.
18. Holding your baby
If you want to remember your baby with a tattoo that's a little bigger, this beautiful image by @racheljfriel of a mum holding her angel baby is a perfect and touching tribute.
19. Little hearts
Sadly, we know miscarriages can happen multiple times, and these little hearts from @kacierainey represent each loss in a small but sentimental way.
20. Holding hands
This adorable tattoo of a baby holding their mum's finger is so beautiful. Done by @tattoosbybecca, this tattoo is a really touching tribute to your baby and the mother and baby bond that will last forever.
About the author
Lorna White is the Senior Digital Writer for Mother&Baby. After running the Yours magazine website, specialising in content about caring for kids and grandchildren, Lorna brought her expertise to Mother&Baby in 2020. She has a keen interest in a range of topics from potty training and nutrition to baby names and early development and has a wide range of experienced medical experts and professionals at her fingertips. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her two young sisters, dog walking and enjoying the outdoors with her family.