On April 8, millions of people across North America looked to the sky for the 2024 solar eclipse, the first visible in the United States since 2017, the first in Mexico since 1991, and the first in Canada since 1979. Unfortunately, families with babies in the NICU may not have gotten to enjoy the celestial event, but that doesn’t mean there wasn’t plenty of eclipse-themed fun taking place!
At Hendrick Health in Abilene, Texas, the teeny NICU babies were decked out with solar eclipse glasses… though staff assured followers that the babies stayed safe and sound in the NICU.
Christus Good Shepherd Health System in Texas also had some fun with the eclipse fever; not only was each baby posed with eclipse glasses, they also were placed on individual backdrops reminiscent of Stephenie Meyer’s book, “Eclipse,” part of the “Twilight” book series.
In Ontario, Canada, babies at the Southlake Regional Healthcare Centre wrapped their babies up in star-studded blankets and eclipse glasses.
Babies at Texas Health Dallas got into the eclipse spirit with special glasses; in the hospital Facebook post, they noted, “While the babies might not remember the eclipse, the photos will be nice to look back on.”
Children’s Hospital Colorado made the event special for NICU families, so parents didn’t have to feel left out. “These babies didn’t view the eclipse, but our NICU nurses went above and beyond to include their families in this important cultural moment. The little ones got special onesies and safety glasses while parents and nurses shared Moon Pies,” they wrote on Facebook. “And the newborns were nice enough to share their glasses with their parents to sneak a peek.”
Staff at Freeman Health System in Missouri wore handcrafted sun patches donated to the NICU; parents got to munch on Moon Pies and Sun Chips, and have a keepsake solar eclipse sign to take home with them, too.
Babies at Cleveland Clinic in Ohio got to wear special onesies for the celestial event!
At Community Hospital South in Indiana, the eclipse had nothing on the babies! “On this special day of the total eclipse of the decade, we can’t keep our eyes off our totally cute babies dressed for the occasion at Community Hospital South. Our newborns and NICU babies are wearing a special onesie created for the celestial event,” they wrote on Facebook. “What a day to commemorate! We’re so grateful to share this special day with their families.”
IU Health Arnett in Indiana also got into the eclipse spirit, with adorable “my first eclipse” signs and eclipse glasses for their NICU babies.
Photo shared by IU Health in the comments of their eclipse Facebook post.
Meanwhile, also in Indiana, Community Health Network said the total eclipse of the decade couldn’t compare to the total eclipse of the heart their NICU babies brought. “It’s hard to take your eyes off these adorable newborns and NICU babies all dressed up for the occasion at our Community hospitals,” they wrote on Facebook. “It’s safe to say not even a total eclipse can overshadow the event of celebrating new life for these parents. We’re so grateful they chose Community to share in this experience.”
And in New York, more babies participated in eclipse fever thanks to the hard work of NICU staff. NICU nursing assistant Stephanie Pastorino made eclipse-themed onesies for the babies, while NICU nurses Kailey Huff, Deb Kiehle, Lenet Dietzman, and Lauren Wasser got the babies ready and took photos for their parents.
