When a bearish trend reversal seems relentless, traders look for signs of a shift. The Bullish Abandoned Baby candlestick pattern is one such signal that suggests a potential transition from a bearish trend to a bullish trend.

Recognizing this reversal candlestick pattern early can help traders anticipate price rebounds and position themselves accordingly.

This guide explains how the Bullish Abandoned Baby works, what it reveals about trading psychology, and how traders can use it effectively while managing risk.

Explanation of the Bullish Abandoned Baby Candlestick Pattern

The Bullish Abandoned Baby is a 3-candle pattern that signals a potential shift from a downtrend to an uptrend. It is characterized by a sequence of:

  • A strong, bearish candle pattern that continues the existing bearish trend.
  • A Doji candlestick that gaps down. This pattern indicates hesitation or indecision in stock trading.
  • A strong bullish pattern that gaps up and closes above the second candle’s midpoint.

This pattern in technical analysis suggests that sellers are losing momentum, and buyers are stepping in to take control. The gap between the Doji candlestick and the surrounding candlestick chart pattern reinforces the idea of a sudden shift in sentiment.

Illustration of the Bullish Abandoned Baby Candlestick Pattern

The Bullish Abandoned Baby candlestick pattern is illustrated below.

Bullish abandoned baby candlestick pattern

Key Pattern Features of the Bullish Abandoned Baby

  • Appears at the end of a bearish trend reversal, signaling a potential shift opposite to the bearish abandoned baby candlestick pattern. 
  • Consists of three candles: a large bearish abandoned baby pattern, a Doji candlestick that gaps down, and a large bullish pattern that gaps up.
  • The gaps increase reliability by reinforcing the shift in sentiment.
  • The final bearish to bullish pattern must close above the midpoint of the first candle pattern.
  • Works best when confirmed with higher trading volume.

Trading Psychology of the Bullish Abandoned Baby

This reversal candlestick represents a clear transition in market sentiment.

  • The first candle pattern shows continued selling pressure, reinforcing the existing bearish trend.
  • The Doji candle (second candle), with a gap down, reflects indecision—buyers and sellers reach an equilibrium, showing hesitation.
  • The final bullish reversal candle gaps up and closes higher, confirming that buyers have taken control.
  • The gaps on both sides of the Doji candlestick are a technical analysis a strong shift in momentum, making this pattern more reliable than many other reversal candlestick patterns.

Conventional Approach to Using the Bullish Abandoned Baby

Market Conditions

The Bullish Abandoned Baby candlestick pattern is most effective in strong bearish trends where selling pressure has been dominant. If it forms near a key support level, its reliability improves.

 

Volatility Considerations

  • In high-volatility markets, gaps may be larger, and false signals can occur.
  • In low-volatility markets, the pattern can be more reliable, but price movements may be slower.
  • Confirmation with volume and follow-through price action is crucial before taking a position.

Risk Management Suggestions for the Bullish Abandoned Baby

  • Stop-loss placement: Below the low of the Doji candlestick to protect against false breakouts.
  • Entry strategy: Traders often enter after the final bullish to bearish pattern confirms the reversal.
  • Profit target: Use previous resistance levels or a risk-reward ratio (e.g., 2:1) for exit planning.

Pattern Failure Conditions for the Bullish Abandoned Baby

  • The final bullish pattern fails to close above the first candle pattern’s midpoint: This weakens the signal.
  • No gap between the Doji candlestick and the other candles: Gaps are crucial for validity.
  • Strong selling pressure returns after the pattern forms: If the price starts dropping again, the reversal may be invalid.

Systematic Trading Application for the Bullish Abandoned Baby

To trade the Bullish Abandoned Baby systematically:

  1. Identify a strong bearish trend before the pattern forms.
  2. Detect a large bearish abandoned baby candlestick, followed by a Doji candlestick with a gap down and a final bullish pattern with a gap up.
  3. Require confirmation: Enter long only if the final bullish pattern closes above the midpoint of the first candle pattern.
  4. Set stop-loss below the Doji candlestick’s low.
  5. Backtest the Bullish Abandoned Baby pattern in different market conditions before using it in live trading.

Amibroker Code for the Bullish Abandoned Baby

Below is a simple AFL script to detect the Bullish Abandoned Baby in Amibroker:

// Bullish Abandoned Baby AFL Code for Amibroker

_SECTION_BEGIN(“Bullish Abandoned Baby”);

 

FirstBearish = Ref(Close, -2) < Ref(Open, -2);

DojiWithGapDown = Ref(Close, -1) > Ref(Open, -1) AND Ref(High, -1) < Ref(Low, -2);

FinalBullish = Close > Open AND Close > Ref(Midpoint(High, Low), -2) AND Open > Ref(High, -1);

 

BullishAbandonedBaby = FirstBearish AND DojiWithGapDown AND FinalBullish;

 

PlotShapes(IIf(BullishAbandonedBaby, shapeStar, shapeNone), colorGreen, 0, Low);

 

_SECTION_END();

This script finds Bullish Abandoned Baby patterns and marks them with a green star.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Bullish Abandoned Baby pattern always a buy signal?

No, it requires confirmation from volume and follow-through price action.

How can I tell if a Bullish Abandoned Baby pattern is strong?

A larger final bullish pattern, combined with higher trading volume, increases reliability.

Does the Bullish Abandoned Baby work in all market conditions?

It is most effective in strong bearish trends. In sideways markets, it may indicate temporary consolidation rather than a full reversal.

How is the Bullish Abandoned Baby different from a Morning Star?

Both indicate bullish reversal patterns, but the Bullish Abandoned Baby features clear gaps around the Doji candlestick, making it a stronger signal.

Key Takeaways

The Bullish Abandoned Baby candlestick is a strong reversal candlestick pattern that signals a potential shift from a bearish trend to a bullish trend.

  • It consists of a large bearish abandoned baby pattern, a Doji candlestick with a gap down, and a large bullish pattern occurs with a gap up.
  • Traders use this pattern alone to confirm a change in momentum before entering long positions.
  • Risk management and proper confirmation are essential to avoid false signals. 

Testing this pattern across different market conditions can improve its effectiveness in trading strategies.

author avatar
Adrian Reid Founder and CEO
Adrian is a full-time private trader based in Australia and also the Founder and Trading Coach at Enlightened Stock Trading, which focuses on educating and supporting traders on their journey to profitable systems trading. Following his successful adoption of systematic trading which generated him hundreds of thousands of dollars a year using just 30 minutes a day to manage his system trading workflow, Adrian made the easy decision to leave his professional work in the corporate world in 2012. Adrian trades long/short across US, Australian and international stock markets and the cryptocurrency markets. His trading systems are now fully automated and have consistently outperformed international share markets with dramatically reduced risk over the past 20+ years. Adrian focuses on building portfolios of profitable, stable and robust long term trading systems to beat market returns with high risk adjusted returns. Adrian teaches traders from all over the world how to get profitable, confident and consistent by trading systematically and backtesting their own trading systems. He helps profitable traders grow and smooth returns by implementing a portfolio of trading systems to make money from different markets and market conditions.