If You See a Purple Butterfly Sticker Near a Newborn, Here’s What It Means
In neonatal intensive care units across the world, small but meaningful symbols often appear on hospital doors or incubators. One such symbol — a purple butterfly sticker — carries a message of love, loss, and quiet strength that many may not understand at first glance.
This symbol represents a baby who was born as part of a multiple birth , where one child survived and the other did not .
It’s a quiet way to honor both babies — especially the one who lived just briefly — and to let other parents know they’re not alone.
The Story Behind the Purple Butterfly
The purple butterfly symbol began with a grieving mother — Millie Smith — and her journey through one of the most difficult experiences a parent can face: the loss of a newborn daughter shortly after birth.
Smith and her partner, Lewis Cann , were overjoyed when they learned they were expecting twins. With a family history of twins on both sides, it felt like destiny. But during a routine prenatal scan at 12 weeks, their excitement turned to heartbreak.
The doctor fell silent during the ultrasound. Millie and Lewis knew immediately something was wrong.
One of their daughters had been diagnosed with anencephaly , a rare and fatal neural tube defect where the brain and skull don’t develop properly. Babies born with anencephaly typically survive only minutes or hours.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , approximately 1 in 4,600 babies in the U.S. are born with this condition. Most pregnancies affected by anencephaly end in miscarriage or stillbirth — making the decision to continue with the pregnancy incredibly brave.
Despite the devastating diagnosis, Millie and Lewis chose to carry their twin daughters to term — knowing one would live only briefly.
On April 30 , at just 30 weeks pregnant , Millie went into labor. A C-section was performed in a race against time.
Their daughters arrived — Callie and Skye .
Skye, born silently into this world, lived for only three hours — long enough to be held, loved, and named.
“She needed a name,” Millie said. “Even if she was only here for moments, she was real. She was ours.”
“Skye ” was chosen because, as Millie explained, “we could look up at the sky and always feel close to her.”
The Birth of a Symbol
After Skye’s passing, Millie struggled to find a way to honor her daughter while also supporting Callie, who remained in the NICU for several weeks.
Then, another mother — who had lost one of her own twin babies — placed a purple butterfly on Callie’s incubator.
That moment changed everything.
“It made me feel seen,” Millie later recalled. “Like someone understood what I was going through.”
From that moment, the purple butterfly became a symbol of remembrance, solidarity, and hope — letting other families know that their pain was shared, even if unspoken.
What the Purple Butterfly Represents Today
Now used in hospitals around the world, the purple butterfly sticker signifies:
“This baby was part of a multiple birth, and one sibling has passed away.”
It’s a gentle, respectful way to acknowledge both children — the one who lives and the one who left too soon.
For nurses and NICU staff, it serves as a reminder to offer extra compassion and understanding to both the baby and the parents.
For other parents walking the halls of the NICU, seeing a purple butterfly can spark a connection — sometimes without a word being spoken.
It says:
- You’re not alone.
- Your baby is loved and remembered.
- Your grief matters.
Supporting Parents Through Twin Loss
Losing a child is one of life’s most profound sorrows — and losing one while welcoming the other is a uniquely complex experience.
Parents like Millie and Lewis often describe feeling:
- Overwhelmed by joy and grief simultaneously
- Guilty for celebrating one child while mourning another
- Isolated, because few people truly understand
The purple butterfly doesn’t erase that pain — but it offers recognition . And sometimes, that’s the most healing gift of all.
Many hospitals now use the symbol to:
- Raise awareness about perinatal loss
- Support bereaved parents quietly and respectfully
- Create a sense of community among NICU families
Final Thoughts: A Tiny Symbol That Speaks Volumes
Symbols have power. They can speak when words fail — and heal when silence is the only comfort available.
The purple butterfly is more than a sticker. It’s a sign of love, loss, and resilience. It honors a life that was brief but deeply cherished. And it reminds us that even in the darkest moments, there is room for beauty, memory, and connection.
If you ever see a purple butterfly near a newborn, take a moment to reflect — and perhaps offer a kind smile to the parents nearby.
Because behind that simple symbol lies a story of courage, heartbreak, and enduring love.
And that’s worth remembering.