Observations on Immediate Reactions of Families to Sudden Infant Death

Abstract

Many health professionals do not adequately support newly bereaved parents and may in fact ignore and abandon them at the time of bereavement. A possible reason for this lack of involvement may be the discomfort experienced by these individuals during such encounters and a misunderstanding of the normal grief reactions. From a two-year experience observing 351 families in whom an infant has died suddenly and unexpectedly, I have noted the most common immediate grief reactions. These reactions are discussed to increase the professional's awareness of the particular needs of these individuals. These immediate reactions include shock, disbelief, and denial; negativism, hostility, and anger; self-reproach and guilt; demonstration of former unresolved grief; verbalization of previous fears of loss; and sometimes, even, relief. Families are entitled to assistance during this distressing time from a warm, caring professional who is able to allow free expression of grief however it is manifested and answer accurately the disturbing questions about the death of their infant.