TREE TRIBUTE
Mum who has lost four babies decorates her Christmas tree with her lost children’s items including their umbilical cords
A MUM who suffered three miscarriages and one stillborn baby decorates her Christmas tree with lost children's umbilical cords and hair – to lift the stigma on baby loss.
Sara Hamilton, 30, from Bolton, Manchester is a full-time carer to her only child, two-year-old Oscar, who was diagnosed with a myriad of illnesses when he was born and cannot walk or stand.
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The mum has suffered a lot of tragedy with pregnancy over the past four years.
In 2016, she gave birth to stillborn Caleb on 5 November.
Less than two years later, on 23 August 2017, she had a miscarriage at 14 weeks of daughter Neveah-Gracie, followed by another tragic miscarriage at 10 weeks of her baby boy, Teddy, on 6 February 2018.
Sadly, her horrific experiences continued in 2020 – when just over a month ago, on 13 November, she had a miscarriage with baby Cubbie at nine weeks.
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In a heartfelt display, Sara and partner, Reece Hamilton, 28, have now adorned their Christmas tree with their babies' hair, umbilical cords, pictures of pregnancy scans, old clothes and more.
Sara said: “We started decorating our Christmas tree this way last year, at the time when our son Oscar spent 17 months in hospital.
“We wanted to include our angels in our Christmas.
"We are limited in how we can include our babies in life as sadly they have passed away, so we thought 'how about using things from their memory box?'.
“Reece and I hated the fact the boxes are just sat there.
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"We have added loads of butterflies we were given when they passed away, their hands and footprints, their umbilical cord, pieces of hair, their hats, glass angels, feathers, measuring tape that measured them and their teddies."
The family plan to keep up their new tradition every year.
Sara recently shared photos of her Christmas tree on Facebook and it has touched many people's hearts.
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She captioned her post: “Done my tree today but as four of my babies are in heaven, I decided to add some things from their memory boxes to my tree so I can include them in it too.
"I also have a disabled two-year-old who is on oxygen and has cerebral palsy and bowel failure, as well as epilepsy and loads more.
"This is our first Christmas home as we spent 17 months in the hospital with our little boy, this will be his third Christmas but first at home.
“He’s obsessed with lights so we have focused more on lights this year, my tree probably isn’t to many’s taste but I love it hope you all have a wonderful Christmas.”
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Users have expressed their deepest condolences and praised Sara for the beautiful and heartwarming display.
One person said: “Beautiful tree, hope you and your little one have a fantastic Christmas."
Another added: “What a wonderful way to include your babies in heaven. I can’t imagine anyone not thinking that this tree is beautiful.”
Someone else added: “Bless you, your son and your four angels. Your tree is just perfect. Hope you have the most fabulous Christmas together."
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Speaking about the response she has received, Sara said: “It’s incredible, I can’t believe how lovely people have been about it.
“At first we weren’t sure about posting it but then we thought why not, and we are overwhelmed by the reaction.
“Losing our babies has been the hardest thing to go through.
“It has been tough but we have got through it by taking each day as it comes.
“We are also very big on raising awareness and breaking the silence about baby loss.”
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