The meaning behind the purple butterfly is heartbreaking but important.

When displayed near a newborn in participating hospitals, a purple butterfly can indicate that the baby was part of a multiple pregnancy in which one or more siblings died.

It quietly communicates something that may be extremely difficult for parents to say aloud.

The symbol helps hospital staff, visitors, and other families understand that although they may see one surviving baby, there has also been a profound loss.

For Millie, this mattered because Skye was still her daughter.

Her life had been brief, but she had existed.

She had been loved.

And she deserved to be remembered.

Why Is the Butterfly Purple?

Purple was chosen as a color that could represent families regardless of the baby’s sex.

The butterfly itself became a gentle symbol of a life that was short but deeply meaningful.

Instead of requiring grieving parents to repeatedly explain what happened, the sticker could communicate the message quietly and respectfully.

It could also help prevent painful misunderstandings like the one Millie experienced.

From One Mother’s Grief to a Wider Mission

What began with Millie’s desire to preserve Skye’s memory eventually grew into something much larger.

Through the Skye High Foundation, the purple butterfly initiative has worked to raise awareness and support families experiencing the loss of a baby from a multiple pregnancy.

The symbol also carries an important message for anyone who encounters it.

If you see a purple butterfly near a newborn, understand that there may be a grieving family behind it. A parent may be experiencing joy for the baby beside them while simultaneously mourning another child who should have been there too.

Sometimes the most compassionate response is simply to be thoughtful with your words and allow the family to decide what they want to share.

For Millie and Lewis, the butterfly ensured that Skye would never simply disappear from their family’s story.

Her three hours of life mattered.

Her parents’ love for her mattered.

And through a small purple butterfly, her memory has helped create greater understanding for other families experiencing an unimaginable loss.

So if you ever see a purple butterfly near a newborn, remember: behind that small symbol may be a baby who is deeply loved, deeply missed, and never forgotten.

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