Empty Cradle, Broken Heart: Surviving the Death of Your Baby

6 x 9

480 PAGES

PAPERBACK

9781682755006

Deborah L. Davis, Ph.D. is a developmental psychologist and writer who specializes in the emotional aspects of coping with crisis during pregnancy and infancy, and medical ethics and decision-making during pregnancy and in the NICU. She is the author of several books for bereaved parents and parents of premature babies and has written many articles for parents and professionals.

“When my tiny baby died during my pregnancy, I was plunged into a grief I did not understand, one that threatened to swallow me whole. Empty Cradle, Broken Heart was a lifeline. Now, a decade after I sat fresh in my grief, scribbling notes and dog-earing pages, Davis releases this latest edition. New stories join with the old, a chorus of bereaved parents’ voices rising strong. Davis matches their timbre with knowledge that is equal parts comforting and empowering. And while this latest edition reflects the modern evolution in how we collectively and inclusively approach pregnancy loss, Davis's words also hold firm what has been and what always will be true: we grieve better when we grieve together.”——Rachel Lewis, author of Unexpecting: Real Talk on Pregnancy Loss  

“Empty Cradle, Broken Heart offers compassionate support for bereaved parents in the aftermath of the unimaginable heartbreak that is perinatal loss. This comprehensive resource helps grieving parents navigate complex emotions while also offering practical tools for honoring their grief.”    

—Jessica Zucker, PhD, psychologist and author of the award-winning book I Had a Miscarriage: A Memoir, a Movement  

  

“The new edition of Empty Cradle, Broken Heart offers compassionate and invaluable support for anyone navigating the difficult journey of baby loss. Deborah Davis's ability to integrate compassion, research, recommendations, and resources has created an invaluable book. Informed and illuminated with the courage of the parents' narratives Dr. Davis’ expertise, this new edition is a must-have for both new readers and those familiar with the original.” 

—Wendy N Davis, PhD, PMH-C, President and CEO, Postpartum Support International 

  

“Written with clarity and compassion, Davis’s book is a deeply knowledgeable and comprehensive guide. From taking care of your grieving brain or navigating the tumult of emotions, to creating supportive rituals, managing relationships and making sense of tragedy, Davis offers validation, insight and comfort. This is essential reading for grieving parents and those who support them.”  

—Nisha Zenoff, PhD, author of The Unspeakable Loss: How Do You Live After a Child Dies? 

  

“This invaluable resource provides solace, companionship, and practical insights to help parents manage their deep sorrow and sustain the connection with their baby after their passing. It is one of the most comprehensive guides on grief for parents who have experienced perinatal or infant loss as well as for the professionals who support them.” 

—Lindsey M. Henke, founder of Pregnancy After Loss Support (PALS) and author of When Skies Are Gray: A Grieving Mother’s Lullaby 

  

"Deborah L Davis's Empty Cradle, Broken Heart: Surviving the Death of your Baby, is one of the most comprehensive books I have read to date on infant loss. As a grief and trauma therapist, I see first hand the trauma, confusion, rumination, and physical effects left in the wake of this specific loss.  Davis's updated edition has covered neuroscience, physical effects, the confusing experience of rumination, as well as the process of continuing bonds in a thorough, yet digestible way.” 

—Gina Moffa, LCSW, Grief and trauma therapist and author of Moving On Doesn't Mean Letting Go: A Modern Guide to Navigating Loss 

  

“Empty Cradle, Broken Heart is one of the best resources I have come across that serves as a "handbook" to work through all of the different emotions and struggles that parents go through during their grief journey. Deborah Davis has done a phenomenal job addressing every conceivable type of loss and the unique struggles that come along with them. It also delicately journeys into the tough topics that some people consider taboo but that parents really experience and need advice on how to navigate Empty Cradle, Broken Heart is always a book I highly recommend to the loss community we serve to assist them after the loss of an infant.” 

—Lori Beth Blaney, Director, Rachel's Gift 

  

“Empty Cradle, Broken Heart just keeps getting better. The new, expanded information on how the brain processes grief experiences tremendously helps our families make sense of their mourning and see themselves and their reactions as normal. This edition of the book also reinforces the importance of bereaved families continuing to bond and provide memory making opportunities of their precious babies with their surviving siblings which also enables the entire family to keep moving forward.” 

—Melanie Edwards, Co-Founder/Executive Director, Kids Joining Eternity