Some people have never heard the term rainbow baby until they’ve walked through loss themselves. It’s a phrase full of deep meaning — a mix of joy and sorrow, heartbreak and healing, all in one. A rainbow baby is a child born after the loss of another, a living reminder of God’s promise to bring beauty even after the darkest storms.
The Meaning of a Rainbow Baby
A rainbow has always been a symbol of God’s faithfulness — His promise in Genesis 9:13 says, “I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.”
For families who’ve gone through loss, a rainbow baby doesn’t take away the pain, but it does bring a new kind of hope. It’s the joy of new life, while still remembering and honoring the baby who came before.
Faith + Scripture Connection
Rainbow babies are such a sweet reminder of God’s goodness, just like it says in John 1:17 — “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above.”
After walking through loss, these little ones feel like God’s way of showing us that He’s still here and still faithful. He meets us in the hurt, stays with us through the hardest days, and brings light and hope when we need it most.
Honoring Both Journeys
When a rainbow baby arrives, it doesn’t mean the loss didn’t happen or that the grief is gone. Joy and sorrow often sit side by side. Many parents choose special ways to honor both — naming the baby they lost, creating keepsakes, or setting aside days to remember. It’s a way to celebrate the new life God has given while keeping the memory of the one you’ll always carry in your heart.
A Gentle Reminder of Hope
If you’re in this season right now, I hope you hold onto this — God’s love never changes. He’s close to the brokenhearted, and He delights to give good gifts. 1 Corinthians 13 reminds us, “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.”
Whether you’re still waiting or holding your rainbow baby now, His love is with you in every season.
You can see more of my rainbow baby designs — created to celebrate God’s faithfulness and the hope that comes after loss — here.
With love and grace,
Kel
Abide & Grace
Abiding in love. Creating through grace.