29 meaningful tattoos to memorialise miscarriage and infant loss

The memory of losing a child is one that will last forever, and many parents choose to honour the brief life of a baby in an equally permanent way. A visible reminder that they won't be forgotten is a beautiful way to pay tribute to a lost one. Here we have found a stunning variety of beautiful commemorative designs. Photos@Pinterest.

This beautifully understated ankle tattoo is a stunning representation of the whole family, with a blue heart for dad, a red heart for mum and a combination heart for the baby who is still a part of the family, even if they can't be with mum and dad right now.

This heartfelt tattoo reads 'God holds you in His arms, I hold you in my heart'.

The stunning images of birds and feathers with the caption 'Your Wings Were Ready But My Heart Was Not' perfectly captures the grief of losing a child.

One mother who sadly lost both her twins opted for this adorable picture of her babies looking after each other, with the words 'Too beautiful for earth'.

This sweet yet simple design is a perfect way to honour an angel baby.

This striking and original design features the date of the baby's death, along with the moving words 'Until I see you again!' - not just a loving tribute, but also a message of hope.

This original design features some of the most popular themes, such as the date of the baby's death, a footprint, and beautiful wings to represent the angel baby - all arranged in a strikingly unique design.

With no embellishment, the simple words 'I carry your heart' are a powerful message of love.

This mum wasn't able to find out the sex of her baby, so opted for a heart coloured in both pink and blue with the timeless words 'Always in my heart'.

This professional mum opted for a tiny ankle tattoo to honour her baby. A super subtle yet touching tribute.

Not only is this tattoo absolutely beautiful, but the words 'Those we love don't go away / They walk beside us every day' is a poignant reminder.

This classic greyscale tattoo of an angel baby surrounded by wings is a peaceful and loving tribute.

Showing the love we all share for our angel babies, this footprints-and-heart design is simple yet touching.

This take on the footprint theme features wings and a halo - a beautifully creative symbol for a beloved angel baby.

This parent has opted for a very simple design of a pair of wings - perfect if you want your tattoo to be extra subtle, with the meaning not obvious to strangers.

If you prefer a more obvious tattoo, this one cannot be misinterpreted, from the classic angel footprints to the moving caption 'Never in my arms / Always in my heart'.

The beautiful balloon is something a little bit different, representing all the hopes for childhood that all rainbow mummies feel. The tender line 'I still carry you' is a feeling many will identify with.

Although the birds in this tattoo appear to be flying in different directions, the link 'We only part to meet again' is a touching promise of hope for the future.

This stunning abstract design has so much in it - from the angel baby, to the adoring mother, with a suggestion of the shape of a heart, and even an infinity symbol, showing that a mother's love is everlasting.

This super subtle and ultra sweet tattoo of two tiny footprints is a small yet powerful tribute.

If you've lost a child and then gone on to have another baby (known as a rainbow baby), a rainbow tattoo is the perfect way to honour both babies. This watercolour design is stunning.

The blue and pink ribbon is the awareness symbol for miscarriage, stillbirth and infant death. Adding the extra line turns it into a heart for a beautiful tribute.

This adorable combination of heartbeats and footprints is the perfect way to celebrate the too-brief life of your baby.

The meaning of this tattoo isn't immediately obvious, but the birds sitting on the branch represent mum, dad and their surviving rainbow baby, while the birds flying away represent two babies who were sadly lost too soon. A beautiful way to pay tribute to the whole family.

The splash of colour on this pretty design makes it extra beautiful, while the words 'A moment in my belly ... A lifetime in my heart' sum up the feelings of all mums who've lost a baby.

This tattoo combines some of the classic themes in a unique way, by making the heart part of the heartbeat. Beautiful and original.

These matching tattoos are the perfect way to share solidarity with your partner, so you can both honour your baby together.

This tattoo looks fairly abstract at first, but if you look closely, you can see that it cleverly includes the letters RIP - sending wishes and hopes for an angel baby to rest in peace.

This even more abstract design represents mother and child. Drawn with a single line and two hearts, it shows how our babies will always be with us in spirit.