# rainbow baby

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/rainbow-baby
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A baby that is conceived after a miscarriage or other loss of a baby.

## Examples

- They are so happy to welcome their healthy rainbow baby.
- He holds his rainbow baby and feels a sense of peace at last.
- Many families share photos of their rainbow baby to give others hope.
- After the heartbreak of losing their first child, the couple celebrated the arrival of their rainbow baby.
- She decided to decorate the nursery with bright colors to celebrate the birth of her long-awaited rainbow baby.
- The support group helps parents navigate the complicated mix of joy and anxiety when expecting a rainbow baby.
- The arrival of their rainbow baby brought a profound sense of healing and renewed hope to a family that had endured such deep sorrow.

## Origin

The term originates from the appearance of a rainbow following a period of inclement weather. It is a modern construction based upon the meteorological sequence of a storm followed by the emergence of a spectrum, serving as a metaphorical parallel for a birth occurring after a previous loss.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.