Taking care of premature infants in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is serious medical work, but for many hospitals, serious fun is also prescribed for their patients in the run-up to Halloween. These infants will know someday that even at their tender and vulnerable age, when parents and specialists were meeting their physical needs, they were also part of a community that cared for and loved them.
Below is a sampling of some of the adorable costumes.
Atrium Health Levine Children’s NICU
Through an outreach program, Preemies of the Carolinas, a dozen adorable babies were provided comfortable, safe and fashionable costumes to appear as their favorite, or soon-to-be favorite, characters like Spiderman and Cookie Monster and don’t forget a little mermaid. In the Facebook thread, other parents provide encouragement with Halloween pictures of their own NICO children who graduated and grew up to thrive. “My NICU grads are 11yo now and doing great! Hang in there, NICU families. You’re getting the best possible care, I just know it!” stated one commenter.
Nebraska Medicine
The local March of Dimes provided gameboard themed costumes for tiny gamers at the NICU unit at Nebraska Medicine. With almost 10,000 shares, nobody wants to miss the set of NICU twins snuggling as Mario and the princess!
Advocate Children’s Hospital
The competition got heated at Advocate Children’s Hospital in Chicago as their finest and newest recruit may be Jaylin, who won a bag of Halloween-themed toys for his crocheted firefighter outfit.
According to their press release, “Celebrating the resilience of our NICU patients and their families is the most important part of this annual event, as they truly are superheroes every day,” stated Michelle Tracy, chief nursing officer.
Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare
Inspired by her own NICU journey, a Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare nurse initiated that hospital’s annual tradition. Added to the Halloween lineup this year is Fred Flinstone, the Energizer Bunny and Lil’ Miss NICU.
Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital & Trinity Health Grand Rapids
The creativity of the nurses and staff of Grand Rapids, Michigan neonatal clinics were fully on display with their baby cow costume complete with a bottle nipple udder.
The Woodlands Medical Center
Many parents struggle to make a meaningful connection with their premature newborns who can appear secluded in their highly specialized beds. But in Maryland, at Woodland’s Medical Center, the dress-up time provides essential parent and baby bonding. These infants are celebrating their first Halloween a bit early this year as they appear as Batman, a Hula Girl and even a candy corn.
