Behind the purple butterfly placed near a newborn baby lies a moving message, full of respect and compassion.
You may have already seen it without knowing its meaning: a small purple butterfly stuck to an incubator or near a newborn’s crib. A discreet, almost decorative detail. Yet, behind this delicate symbol lies a deeply moving story—and an essential message of respect and compassion.
The story behind the purple butterfly
It all starts with Millie Smith and her partner Lewis Cann.
In 2015, the couple learned they were expecting twin girls. Very quickly, joy gave way to worry: one of the little girls had a severe malformation and would not survive long after birth.
Despite a high-risk pregnancy, the parents chose to continue it. On April 30th, at only 30 weeks of amenorrhea, the twins were born. They were named Skye and Callie.
Skye will live for three hours.
Three hours of intense love, of exchanged glances, of memories etched forever.
The silence that hurts
While Callie remains in the neonatal intensive care unit to strengthen herself, Millie must confront an invisible pain: that of having lost one child while watching over the other.
Around her, other parents are also experiencing the ordeal of hospitalization in neonatal care. But no one knows what she is going through.
One day, a mother, exhausted by her hospitalized twins, innocently remarked to her:
“You’re so lucky to only have one.”
This sentence, without malicious intent, deeply upsets her.
Nobody knew. Nobody could understand.
That’s how the idea of the purple butterfly was born.
What does the purple butterfly mean?
The purple butterfly placed near a newborn indicates that the pregnancy was multiple (twins, triplets…) and that one of the babies died.
This symbol serves several purposes:
Discreetly inform the healthcare staff and visitors
Avoid unintentionally hurtful remarks
Acknowledge the existence of the missing baby
Allowing parents to avoid having to repeat their story
It’s a silent message that says, “Another baby was part of this family.”
Why a butterfly? Why purple?
Millie chose the butterfly to symbolize the babies who have “flown away.” A gentle image, carrying hope and remembrance.
The color purple is neutral. It is suitable for both girls and boys and evokes delicacy, spirituality, and remembrance.
From this initiative was born the Skye High Foundation, which works to raise awareness in hospitals around the world and to support families facing perinatal bereavement .
A symbol that changes everything
One might think that a simple sticker makes no difference.
For grieving parents, however, it can make all the difference.
He avoids making clumsy remarks.
He protects a fragile heart.
He reminds us that every baby matters, even if their life was short.
In a department where joy and vulnerability constantly coexist, this little butterfly creates a space of respect and discreet compassion .
How should you react if you see a purple butterfly?
If you see this symbol in a healthcare facility:
Avoid intrusive questions
Do not make comparisons based on the number of children
Be tactful
A simple smile or a kind word is enough
Respecting the silence and modesty of parents is essential: sometimes, the greatest sign of care is simply being present without insisting.
A legacy of gentleness
Today, Callie grows up surrounded by love. And Skye’s memory continues to live on through thousands of purple butterflies around the world.
The purple butterfly is not just a symbol of loss.
It is a symbol of remembrance, dignity and solidarity between parents.
Because behind every incubator there may be an invisible story — and compassion often begins with a discreet gesture.
