Coping with the death of a child Coping with the death of a child The death of a child brings about a period of deep, unimaginable grief and a time of uncertainty as the bereaved parent struggles with this new reality. No one expects to outlive their child; life as the bereaved parents knew it no longer makes sense. Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) The words Sudden Infant Death Syndrome strike fear in the hearts of parents. In the US alone, it is a horrifying reality for the bereaved parents of approximately 2,500 babies per year. Although SIDS has decreased by over 50% since 1983, it is still the leading cause of death in infants from 1 month to 1 year old. Stillbirth: an invalidated loss One in every 116 babies delivered is a stillbirth. These are sobering statistics and one that many parents are unaware of. Grieving parents' existence is irrevocably changed by the loss of a child. However, as this page shows, it does not mean that they cannot go on to have a life that has meaning and purpose. Coping with miscarriage A miscarriage is the term given to any pregnancy that ends prior to twenty weeks' gestation. Regardless of why the miscarriage has occurred, it is important to mourn the loss of the child that "could have been." 10 strategies for coping with grief Grief is a personal experience, unique to each mourner and unique to each loss. Grief comes in waves, as times of peace and calm are suddenly shattered by overpowering emotion. The following strategies provide a few suggestions to help you ride out the waves as you cope with your grief. Bereavement and grief: practical ways to find consolation In the early stages of bereavement and grief, the bereaved may have difficulty viewing life beyond the here and now. As they move forward, the various practical steps outlined here will help them amass the strength to recover. Sponsored links Further sources of information You may find our other articles in the Grief Library section helpful too. Visit our Amazon store to find books on coping with the loss of a child.