An Erith woman who suffered three miscarriages has produced a custom line of baby clothing for babies who die prematurely.
Michelle Channon of Stuart Mantle Way, founder and part owner of the charity Little Baby & Co, creates the personal effects for grieving parents.
A memory box for grieving parents
Inspired after her own grief, the mother-of-four created the company to reach out to others facing similar pain.
The 34-year-old said: "Three years ago I lost my baby.
"I was devastated.
"I had two miscarriages before that.
"I saw the baby on the tissue.
"I didn’t know what to do.
"So I had it in my jewellery box and buried the box in my garden.
"I know it sounds crazy but I was so dumbfounded with my miscarriage.
"I was so shocked to see my baby.
"It took me a while to cry."
Bespoke items to remember parents' loss
Mrs Channon told News Shopper that many parents feel trapped in their own grief.
In her experience some parents don’t feel entitled to grieve for their baby or talk openly of their heartache, which is why she founded the company.
Mrs Channon added: "I didn’t think anyone would take me seriously.
"Looking back and forward at the company it feels amazing.
"In a way it is kind of a blessing in disguise because we are now helping others.
"It is important that every baby gets their dignity and that’s what we give.
The 100 per cent non profit company was established in 2011.
The charity relies on people donating materials, items and contributions towards postage in order to keep going.
TOP STORIES:
Mrs Channon’s friend and co-founder, Kelly Smith, 37 of Hastings Road, Maidstone expressed her joy at the evolution of the organisation.
Mrs Smith, who has suffered several miscarriages, said: "I’ve had a long journey after Michelle took me under her wings to help me deal emotionally with my losses.
"I thought I’d never come to terms with the pain but she never gave up on me.
"I’ve been helping others that have been through the same devastation as me with the same love and compassion that was shown to me.
"Every loss we deal with is important at Little Baby & Co and I can’t thank Michelle enough for the help she gave me and the opportunity to help others."
Little Baby & Co knitting group run at Starbucks in Bexleyheath
According to the digital resource Baby Centre, approximately half of all fertilised eggs are thought to be lost in the very early days of pregnancy.
After a positive pregnancy test, it is estimated that between 10 per cent and 20 per cent of pregnancies end in miscarriage.
As well as clothes, caskets and memory keepsakes, the company is campaigning for an Early Miscarriage Awareness Day to bring the common and traumatic reality of miscarriage to the attention of the public.
The organisation is hoping that people will band together on November 9 with the hashtags #Mint4EarlyMiscarriage and #EveryBaby
The future is looking bright for the charity as they look ahead to Oct 10 and the Butterfly Awards and their nominations for best UK Support Organisation and the Cherished Keepsake award.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here