A rainbow baby is a child born to a family that has previously lost one or more children due to stillbirth, miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, termination for medical reasons, or death during infancy.
[1] These subsequent pregnancies can bring "strong feelings of anxiety, guilt, and even fear" but also "immense joy, reflection, healing, and mixed emotions".
The term "rainbow" is symbolic of the hope brought by the child after the emotional storm of the previous loss.
"[6] Those interested in supporting such families have designated August 22 each year as "National Rainbow Baby Day".
They might feel the term focuses on the baby's death rather than their real life or they might think that there is no need to put a label that gives this child a special identity or title in relation to their other siblings.