Baby Loss Awareness Week 2026

That the Parliament supports Baby Loss Awareness Week, which takes place from 9 to 15 October 2026 and has the theme, Together, we care, focusing on nurturing mental and physical wellbeing and supporting one another; recognises that the week provides a safe and supportive opportunity for those affected by pregnancy and baby loss to share their experiences and to feel that they are not alone; recognises the devastating impact that baby loss can have on parents and the wider family; notes official statistics showing that there were 318 baby deaths including 159 stillbirths in Scotland and 4,477 baby deaths including 2,552 stillbirths across the UK in 2024; further notes research by the charity Tommy’s indicating that half of adults in the UK have been affected directly, or through someone they know, by pregnancy or baby loss; acknowledges the significance of the global #WaveOfLight on 15 October, during which families around the world light a candle at 7PM local time in remembrance of babies who have died; pays tribute to the charities and organisations that support bereaved parents and families; commends the work of pregnancy and baby loss charities across Scotland and the UK, including Ayrshire Baby Loss Support, a non-profit organisation that supports anyone affected by baby loss and is a member of the Baby Loss Awareness Alliance, a group of more than 80 charities and organisations from across the UK that collaborate during Baby Loss Awareness Week to raise awareness of pregnancy and baby loss and to improve support for those affected, and recognises the valuable contribution that such organisations make in raising awareness and helping families through the painful experience of pregnancy and baby loss.