“We have always been afraid that people will forget about our son as the months and years pass. It’s so important to talk about Aish and say his name. Just because he isn’t here, doesn’t mean he shouldn’t be spoken about.”
- Caitlyn and Chris Thomson
Over four years ago, our lives changed forever.
Our little legend Aish arrived into this world on 18 September 2021, at 9:45am, measuring 50cms long, after a 24-hour labour. Our firstborn, the baby we had both been eagerly awaiting. He was finally here. Our dream of becoming parents had come true. We made it. The best feeling meeting your baby for the first time.
We could not wait to bring him home. Our son was so perfect.
Unfortunately, just 11 hours after birth, Aish was taken to NICU, before being transferred to the Royal Children’s Hospital by PIPER.
Aish unexpectedly died five days later in the Neonatal Unit on the Butterfly Ward of the Royal Children’s Hospital.
We share our story because every day in Australia, six babies are stillborn and two babies die within 28 days of birth.
Did we know this before becoming parents? No.
Did we ever imagine we would be grieving parents? Absolutely not.
No one should ever have to endure the loss of their baby or child , yet so many families do, often in silence.
The day of Aish’s passing, 22 September 2021, was the day of the earthquake in Melbourne. It was an incredibly surreal day.
As the earthquake struck, my husband Chris was holding Aish while I clung to my chair. We genuinely believed the building was going to collapse on top of us. It was a terrifying moment, layered amongst everything else we were facing.
Losing our son felt as though the world was against us, like we were completely alone in such a horrific ordeal.
Do we like being part of a community of grieving parents? Absolutely not. This is not the life we ever envisioned for ourselves as parents.
Aish’s final moments were deeply special. We played “Over the Rainbow” while we gave him his first bath. We dressed him, kissed him endlessly, and held him close. As he drifted off, we took him outside so he could feel the fresh air and listen to the birds chirping for the first and last time.
As the years pass, we do the very best we can. We experience a wide range of emotions every day - no two days are ever the same. Grieving the loss of our son Aish is one of the hardest things we will ever endure, and this pain will stay with us forever.
Just months later, while still deep in our grief, we discovered we were pregnant. Our second son, Taij, was born one year, one month, and six days after Aish’s passing. Watching Taij grow has been such a blessing.
After experiencing a miscarriage in June 2024, we were blessed on 30 September 2025 with our third baby boy, Phoenix Aish. Naming both our sons was incredibly meaningful — a way to carry his brother’s name forward with love and strength. We feel incredibly lucky to be parents to three beautiful boys, each holding a very special place in our hearts.
We proudly explain that we have three sons, and we are equally proud parents to Aish, Taij, and Phoenix.
Even Taij talks about his big brother Aish — and although Aish is not physically here, they share a very special bond that has grown as Taij has grown.
Our home is filled with photos of Aish, and we regularly take Taij and Phoenix to visit their brother’s memorial tree. We honour the milestones Aish would have reached alongside us, just as if he were here with us.
To other parents who have lost a baby or child: please know you are not alone. Look after yourselves. Never apologise for how you are feeling. Set boundaries. Skip events you are not emotionally ready for. Talk about your loss. Step away from those who cannot support you. And above all else, ask for help.
For those who have never experienced the loss of a baby or child: Say Their Name Day is a reminder that your words matter. Ask about their baby/child. Say their name. If you are unsure what to say or do, simply ask.
Every day, waking up still hurts. The reality of Aish not being here is incredibly hard to carry. But we want to make Aish proud of us — his parents — by sharing our experience of loss. If our story helps even one person feel less alone, or helps someone better understand how to support a grieving family, then it means everything.
Nothing will ever make Aish’s death easier. We wish he was here every single day. As his parents, we will continue his legacy — he lives through us now.
If there is one thing we hope people take away from our devastating journey, it is this: please don’t shy away from talking about our beautiful firstborn son Aish with us.
As the years drift by, we want to live in a world where it is normal to say Aish’s name — where it is spoken freely, without hesitation or discomfort.
Aish existed. He matters. He will always be our firstborn son.
You will never understand the positive impact it has to simply hear or say Aish’s name.
Love you forever and always, Aish <3
The below will be inscribed on little Aish’s memorial tree at Mornington Green (Victoria).
9 whole months I grew in mum
I soon arrived your little son
5 short days is all I had
My last breath in the arms of dad
Our precious baby boy
Forever loved
Always remembered
