Life After Infant Loss: Support for Body, Skin, Soul, + Spirit

There are no words that can fully capture the heartbreak of losing a baby.

Whether through miscarriage, stillbirth, illness, or walking the long journey of infertility, it can feel like your world is completely shattered. And for many women, grief lives quietly beneath the surface, heightening feelings of isolation. 

It’s a private ache the world doesn’t always see – especially when the loss happens early or isn’t openly shared. Even pregnancy after loss can stir waves of overwhelm, fear, and deep emotional complexity.

In honor of Infant Loss Remembrance Month, we want to take time to acknowledge the full weight of this experience for you + your precious family. 

At Primally Pure, we want to create a special space of reverence and remembrance. A space to honor the babies who are no longer here in body, but forever in our hearts. And most importantly, we want to offer gentle support for the warrior women and families navigating life after loss.

We’re also incredibly grateful to Lindsey Meehleis, a renowned midwife with over 20 years in the natural birth space, for graciously creating a resource specifically for our Primally Pure community. Lindsey’s wisdom and deep compassion have supported many women through times of grief. 

Throughout this blog, you’ll find quotes from Lindsey to offer comfort and insight on the healing journey.

Whether you’re walking through this season yourself or holding space for someone who is, we hope you’ll feel a sense of connection and care. Our hope is to gently guide you back to simple, meaningful ways of nurturing your body, mind, and spirit – wherever you are in your healing.

Replenishing Your Body After Infant Loss

Your body has carried so much – through hope, heartbreak, and healing. It deserves the same tenderness you offered during that season of love and anticipation.

The stretching + selfless sacrifices you made don’t go unnoticed. The unconditional care you poured into nurturing your child now lives in the changes you still experience in your body. 

Not to mention the deeply transitional experience of becoming a mother. You endured heightened physical, emotional, and mental challenges throughout your experience. And perhaps you carry lasting reminders of what you went through – seen and unseen. 

Pregnancy, in itself, asks so much of your body, but postpartum is a season of profound demand, even in the most “typical” of circumstances. Experiencing infant loss alongside this creates an added emotional weight, too – a constant thread woven through your healing journey.

It can feel as if your body is holding the memory of what was, what you hoped for, and what you carried so closely. And from a practical standpoint, grief disrupts your natural rhythms too. It alters daily rhythms – your appetite, energy, hormones, even how you breathe. You’re forced to learn a new way of existing, even when it feels impossible.

The journey can be long – requiring patience, compassion, and deep care. But you’re seen, Mama. These are a few simple ways to care for yourself in this season: 

• Nourishing foods – Proper nourishment helps to restore energy, support hormone balance, and repair tissues. Not to mention replenishing your body’s stores after the physical demands of pregnancy and birth.

*Practical Tip: Frozen veggies are “good enough” if it’s all you have energy for! 

• Movement – Don’t underestimate the power of gentle movement. Somatic movement can help release stored emotions and trauma, especially in the hips. Gentle yoga, mindful breathwork, and even walks can be deeply healing. It may take time and intention, but movement helps release what’s stored in the body, allowing for emotional and physical recovery.

• Circadian Rhythms – Morning and evening sunlight help regulate your circadian rhythm, supporting healing and hormonal balance. Eating only during daylight hours can also be beneficial in syncing your body to the natural rhythms of nature.

• Habit Stacking – Make caring for yourself less overwhelming by stacking simple habits into your day. Start with easy, supportive practices that align with your natural rhythms.

*Tip: One of our favorite habit stacks is getting morning sunlight, deep breathing, and grounding for 10 minutes upon waking up. 

• Work with a Functional Doctor – A protocol with a holistic-minded practitioner can be extremely helpful in assessing hormones + finding a path toward balance again. 

*Tip: Don’t stress if it isn’t in your budget. There are so many simple practices that can help naturally balance hormones.

During times of grief, health often takes a backseat, and self-care can feel like a distant priority. Yet, nurturing your body with simple practices and habits can help restore balance and provide the strength needed for healing. 

 

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Lindsey’s reflections on healing after loss:

“Grief doesn’t just live in the heart, it nestles itself into our bones, settles into our cells, and lingers in the rhythm of each breath. Trauma doesn’t vanish with time because it finds shelter in the body, asking, no begging, to be released through our bodies. After loss, it’s common to feel like a stranger in your own skin, to forget how to belong to the very body that once carried your baby, for everything serves as a reminder of the sacred time that we once held our babies within our bones. 

This is why nourishment becomes essential. We humans are far more likely to do what is simple and free. If I told you to drive to your favorite place for sunrise, it might happen once or twice. But what if I reminded you that you can walk out your front door, place your bare feet on the earth, let the sunlight kiss your face as a reminder that you are still alive? These are not small things. 

These are lifelines and every tender act of care becomes a quiet prayer, a message to your nervous system that says: ‘In this moment, I am safe. I am worthy of tending to. And I will live a little fuller, a little softer, each day... because of you.’”

Returning to Rituals: Simple Skin Care

Grief can make even the smallest acts of self-care feel out of reach. It’s easy to fall into the belief that it’s pointless – or even, vain. We’re here to remind you that gentle, grounding rituals can be a quiet way to reconnect with yourself.

Skincare isn’t about vanity – it’s about simple, nurturing rituals that help you feel like yourself again. By caring for your skin, you create a moment of mindfulness, allowing space to breathe and heal. It’s a way to gently remind yourself you’re worthy of care. Here’s where you can start:

• Simplify Your Skincare – Gently ease back into simple, supportive skincare that helps you feel your best, but doesn’t require a lot of energy or focus. When it comes to replenishing your skin, biocompatible animal-based ingredients like tallow are some of the simplest yet effective options. 

Start with a few simple products. Here’s a sample routine:

01 | Clarifying Bar – balance and cleanse, without stripping your skin. 

Explore: Clarifying Bar

02 | Baby Balm (or the Everything Balm) – multipurpose, super gentle, and full of nourishing fatty acids to replenish your moisture barrier.

Explore: Baby Balm | Everything Balm

*Tip: Use your balm as an overnight slugging treatment for a potent dose of moisture.

03 | Lip Oil or Tinted Balm – a quick effortless way to feel a bit more like yourself. Just a quick swipe can add softness and a hint of brightness to your day.

Explore: Lip Oil | Tinted Balm 

• Facial Tools or Massage – Facial massage is an easy way to give your skin some attention while also benefiting your nervous system. Repetitive, calming touch can help stimulate the vagus nerve and exit fight or flight. Plus, with no learning curve, these tools are simple to use and can be customized over time for more complexity in your routine. :) 

01 | Ridged Roller –  a simple, no-fuss tool for facial massage to help support your skin and settle your mind. Great for reducing puffiness and bringing nourishment and blood flow to the tissue, with added emotional benefits from the Rose Quartz gemstone. Throw it on your bedside table for easy, low-effort reach – or in your fridge for de-puffing skin.

Explore: Ridged Roller

*Tip: The ends of the handle can be used to release tension points. 

02 | Dry Brushing – whether on your face or body, just two minutes of dry brushing is not only like a relaxing back scratch for your entire body. It’s also perfect for lymphatic drainage, gentle exfoliation, and even caring for stretch marks.  

*Tip: After dry brushing stretch marks, finish with nourishing Everything Balm to support healing.

Explore: Body Dry Brush | Facial Dry Brush | Everything Balm

 

Reconnecting with simple skincare rituals is a gentle way to honor yourself as you heal. These grounding practices nurture both body and spirit, reminding you of your inherent worth.

 

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Lindsey’s reflections on returning to skincare rituals:

“Touch is the first language we speak to our babies, the first ones they understand at least. Finger tip touching, nestling our lips into the little crooks of the neck, the weight of their little bodies on our chest, above our heart, because our body is their home.

In the absence of this, it becomes essential in our own healing of coming back to ourselves by allowing ourselves to simply be in our bodies.

By gently massaging our skin with oils, moving any stagnation in our lymph system through dry brushing, or even just placing our hands over your heart with intention…we allow ourselves to have 'remembrance rituals', reconnecting ourselves to our presence, to give ourselves a tether back to the child you carried, and to reclaim our body is not broken, but as a sacred vessel, one that gave love, held life, and still carries that memory in every cell.”

Healing the Mind, Soul, and Spirit After Infant Loss

In the wake of deep loss, healing begins by tending to what lies beneath the surface – your spirit, your story, your capacity to feel and be held. In times of loss, it's essential to slow down and embrace practices that allow your mind, body, and spirit to heal. 

Small, intentional choices can help you reconnect with yourself, release held emotions, and support your journey toward wholeness.

• More Time In Nature – The calming effects of spending more time outside, present in nature (like grounding or forest bathing) can lower inflammation and promote deep relaxation.¹ Plus, natural sunlight supports your immune health and provides vitamin D and mood-boosting benefits.²

• Prioritize Moments of Inner Calm – Nourish your body and mind with small, sacred rituals. A hot bath with flower petals soothes your skin while enveloping you in warmth, offering physical and emotional relief. Or maybe you settle into your favorite cozy space with a mask, hot tea, and your favorite podcast. 

Explore: Flower Bath | Facial Masks

• Embrace Aromatherapy – Essential oils are a supportive way to relax and unwind. Studies show aromatherapy can positively impact mood, anxiety, and more.³ 

Explore: Home Line | Shower Steamers

• Sound Healing/Sound Bath – Engage all your senses through unconventional practices like sound baths. It can help restore a sense of connection, moving through stagnant emotions and providing relief.

*Tip: Be sure to choose a safe, supportive space to fully connect and release. 

• Create an Energizing AM Ritual – Try adding a naturally energizing boost without the caffeine rush to support sluggishness. Maybe it’s red light therapy, or a moment of indulgence + support for your skin – dry brushing, followed by an exfoliating body polish. 

Explore: Body Dry Brush  | Coffee Body Polish

• Nurture Your Spirit + Soul – Maybe you take a solo weekend trip to a sacred or long-admired spot. Maybe it’s as simple as daily prayer, meditation, a new podcast, or joining an infant loss support group. 

• Be Honest With Your Emotions – Though it requires vulnerability, coming to terms with your disappointments, deep grief, and even anger towards God/the universe/life can be a part of deep healing. 

• Share Your Story – For some, opening up about your loss can be a powerful step in healing. Whether you choose to share with close friends or in a more public way, expressing your emotions can help you process grief.

• Purchase or Make a Special Gift for Yourself – A meaningful keepsake, like a necklace with a tiny locket or a memory box, can serve as a gentle reminder of your baby and the love you’ll always carry for them.

• Spend Time With Loved Ones – It’s okay not to be at your best; show up as you are, and your loved ones will accept you. Whether you want to be around children/babies or have space to yourself, there’s no wrong way to grieve.

• Seek Professional Help – If you’re struggling, reach out for support. A counselor or therapist trained in grief can offer guidance and a safe space to process emotions. New methods like brain spotting, EMDR therapy, and neurofeedback have given many people relief. 

• Let Others Help Ease the Burden – Don’t be afraid to ask for what you need. Whether it’s help with daily tasks or just someone to listen, your loved ones want to support you. It’s okay to lean on them! 

• Find an Infant Loss Resource – There are many thoughtful and touching resources for those walking through infant loss. We’re so thankful for the guidebook Lindsey Meehleis created for our community as an infant loss resource. It offers deep, compassionate insight and practical support, helping you move through grief with gentleness and care.

• Support Your Sleep – As the world quiets around you, racing thoughts can make it hard to find restful sleep. Consider creating a calming environment with lower temperatures, complete darkness, and minimizing your blue light before bedtime. You can also incorporate sleep-supportive ingredients like magnesium as a topical spray or a magnesium cocktail.

*Tip: For more in-depth information on supporting sleep, check out our deep sleep guide.  

Explore: Sleep Spray

 

Grief doesn’t follow a set path, and that’s okay. Each small act of self-nurturing, whether it’s through mindful practices, reconnecting with your spirit, or honoring your emotions, helps you move forward in your own time – and on your own terms.

 

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Lindsey’s reflections on healing the mind, soul, and spirit: 

“Grief has no timeline. No stages you have to complete. No right or wrong way to move through it. And healing, true healing does not mean forgetting. It means learning to live with the love that has nowhere to land within our empty arms.

When you give yourself permission to be exactly where you are, tearful or joyful, angry or numb, you honor the full spectrum of what it means to grieve. This grief spiral is not linear. It loops, softens, crashes, and returns again and each of these emotions belong.

Every ritual, every barefoot step in nature, every breath in stillness becomes a thread, a way to tether and weave your way back to your spirit while tending to the shattered pieces of your heart. You are not alone in this remembering. Your baby will never be forgotten. And though you will never be the same, you will return, again and again, to the quiet essence of joy even when it feels impossible. Not in the denial of the loss, but because your love for your baby will continue to bloom in every season of who you are becoming.”

Holding Space for Healing After Infant Loss

Grief may evolve and soften, but it never truly fades. If you’ve experienced the loss of a baby, we want you to know this: your story matters, your healing matters, and you are not alone.

There’s no one way to walk through infant loss, but there are steps you can take to nourish your body, reconnect with yourself, and create space for your spirit to rest – and be restored.

We’re holding you close in remembrance during infant loss awareness month and always – honoring your journey, your strength, and the sacred life you carry in your heart forever.

XO

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Sources: 

1. National Library of Medicine | The Effects of Grounding (Earthing) on Inflammation, the Immune Response, Wound Healing, and Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Inflammatory and Autoimmune Diseases
2. National Library of Medicine | The Effects of Vitamin D on Skeletal Muscle Function and Cellular Signaling
3. National Library of Medicine | Therapeutic Effect and Mechanisms of Essential Oils in Mood Disorders: Interaction Between the Nervous and Respiratory Systems 

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