If You See A Purple Butterfly Sticker Near A Newborn, You Need To Know What It Means

Expecting twins was supposed to be the happiest chapter in Millie and Louis’s lives. Their dreams of double strollers, matching outfits, and a life filled with twice the laughter quickly turned into a heartbreaking reality when they received devastating news during Millie’s pregnancy. One of the babies had been diagnosed with anencephaly, a severe birth defect in which parts of the brain and skull do not develop properly. Doctors explained the grim prognosis: their baby girl, Skye, would not survive long after birth.

Despite this unimaginable news, Millie and Louis held on to hope and focused on giving both babies as much love as they could. When the day came, they welcomed their twins into the world, but heartbreak followed quickly. Skye passed away just hours after birth, leaving behind a void no words could ever truly describe. Their surviving daughter brought them immense joy, but their grief for Skye was equally profound, a painful reminder of the daughter they couldn’t take home.

In the weeks that followed, Millie noticed that while people celebrated the healthy twin, they often overlooked Skye’s memory, as if she had never existed. Even in the hospital, other parents of newborn twins would innocently ask questions or make comments that unintentionally deepened their wound. One mother casually remarked, “At least you only have one to handle now,” not realizing the sharp sting of her words.

Feeling the deep need to honor Skye and help others avoid similar pain, Millie and Louis came up with an idea that would change lives around the world. They created the purple butterfly initiative — a gentle, powerful symbol to let others know when a family has lost one or more of their babies, particularly in multiple births. The purple butterfly sticker, placed on a baby’s cot or incubator, serves as a quiet yet profound message to visitors and staff. It lets them know to approach with extra sensitivity and empathy.

The initiative gained rapid support from hospitals and parents alike. Families who had long felt invisible in their grief suddenly felt seen and understood. For Millie and Louis, every purple butterfly is a tribute to Skye’s short but meaningful life. It ensures that she lives on in the hearts of those who learn her story and in the compassion shown toward other grieving parents.

Beyond hospitals, the purple butterfly movement has sparked a broader conversation about loss, empathy, and how society can better support families dealing with infant loss. Millie and Louis turned their darkest moment into a beacon of light for others. Their courage transformed private pain into a universal symbol of love, remembrance, and understanding.

Today, the purple butterfly stands as a powerful reminder: every life, no matter how brief, leaves an indelible mark. Through this initiative, Skye’s legacy continues to touch countless lives, proving that even in the deepest grief, hope and connection can grow.