Australian mum Mikhailla Fitzgerald has turned the tragedy of losing her newborn baby to a common infection, into a way to help children through grief and loss.

In March 2017, Mikhailla gave birth to her first child, a baby boy called Foxx. But the joy of welcoming her son quickly disappeared when, just five hours after his birth Foxx was diagnosed with Group B Strep Sepsis. He died at just three days old.

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One year later Mikhailla had her baby daughter Elle, and her arrival prompted the grieving mum to pen two children’s books on grief and loss. This year the books have finally been released, helping the family heal through their education of others.

My Sibling Above and Love From Above ‘gently guide children through the thorny subject of grief and loss, while also enabling them to commemorate lost loved ones’.

“It still upsets me knowing we will carry that pain with us for life,” Mikhailla said. “But we know that happiness and purpose can be found again after pain and loss.”

My Sibling Above was written with Mikhailla’s daughter Elle and son Cruz in mind, and for all children who have siblings ‘ dancing in the sky’.

Love From Above is an easy-to-understand rhyming story that is made to be read over and over. It’s designed to help children feel more comfortable with talking about those who’ve passed away.

“I believe in the importance of teaching children to speak freely about what they’re going through,” Mikhailla said. “And I believe in approaching subjects with openness and honesty, no matter how hard it may be. I wrote these books to help little people understand that although their loved ones may not be on earth anymore, there is still light and happiness to be found in remembering them.

“Rather than shielding our children from the depths of our despair, it is instead a gift to be able to bestow on them resilience and understanding of life’s ups and downs. For them to be able the carry the memories of precious loved ones in their heart is a wonderful thing, and I’m glad to be in a position to support this.”

A portion of the books’ proceeds are being donated to charity, with $2700 so far donated to Project Rescue Children and $1,000 to the Luna Capri Foundation.

Each of the books cost $29 and are available from Mikhailla’s website Wholeheartedly.